Miami Comes to Town for Band/Hall of Fame Day Saturday, Oct. 29

Football vs. Miami
Date	Saturday, Oct. 29 \| 3:30 p.m.
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Rynearson Stadium (30,200)
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Press Conference Video \| Teleconference Audio.
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	American Sports Network
Listen	WEMU (89.1 FM) \| TuneIn Radio
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Tickets	Order Tickets Online or call 734.487.2282 \| Clear Bag Policy

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team returns home to host Miami University Saturday, Oct. 29, at Rynearson Stadium. The contest is Band and Hall of Fame Day, as five former EMU student-athletes will be honored for their outstanding careers.
   The Eagles enter the league affair with a 5-3 (2-2 MAC) record after a tough road loss to No. 20 Western Michigan University, Oct. 22. The Eagles are seeking to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1995. Meanwhile, the RedHawks (2-6, 2-2 MAC) are winners of two straight games after starting the season 0-6. They most recently defeated Bowling Green State University last week, 40-26, at Doyt Perry Stadium.
   The contest will be televised by the American Sports Network with Jeff McCarragher providing the play-by-play and Michael Young serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick calling the action on the field.

APPROACHING BOWL ELIGIBILITY: If the Eagles get their sixth win, this would mark the first time since 1995 that the team was bowl eligible. EMU has not played in a bowl game since 1987 when it won the California Bowl with a 30-27 win over San Jose State. It would also snap the second-longest bowl drought in the FBS ranks, as New Mexico State has not been to a bowl since 1960.

E-CLUB HALL OF FAME: The E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame will honor its 2016 inductees during Saturday's game. The Class of 2016 includes: Steve Brown (wrestling), Lional Dalton (football), Connie Miner (softball coach), Fabian Rollins (men's track & field) and Greg Ryan (baseball). In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, the E-Club will present Robin Baun with the Ron Oestrike Distinguished Service Award.

BIGGEST TURNAROUNDS: Eight games into the 2016 season, Eastern Michigan has improved on its 2015 win total by four games, from one win to five. This ties for the lead in the FBS for the largest turnaround from 2015 to 2016 with UCF, who has improved their win total from zero to four.

WITH A WIN OVER THE REDHAWKS: Should the Eagles defeat the RedHawks, they would move to 6-3 overall on the year. This would mark the program's best start since the 1989 season when the team raced out to a 6-2-1 record through nine games.

BAND DAY: The contest against the RedHawks is also Band Day at Rynearson Stadium, with 13 high school bands in attendance, performing as one during a special halftime concert. The schools scheduled to participate include: Blissfield, Garden City, Monroe, Monroe Jefferson, Morenci, Riverview Community, Swartz Creek, Warren Lincoln, Whiteford, Whitmore Lake, Woodhaven, Utica and Ypsilanti Community.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE REDHAWKS: The Eagles and RedHawks have met just 22 times in their respective histories. The two schools first met in 1974, but have only squared off four times since 2000. MU leads the all-time series 18-4, with EMU's last win coming in 1993, a 15-7 win, Oct. 7. Miami holds an eight-game winning streak that dates back to Oct. 1, 1994, when MU escaped with a 21-17 victory at Rynearson Stadium.

LOOKING TO STOP THE SKID: With infrequent meetings between the two schools, EMU will be looking to post its first victory over Miami in 23 years – a streak of 8,418 days.
    The Eagles notched a 15-7 decision at Yager Stadium, Oct. 12, 1993, as the defense led the way. Trailing 7-0, EMU scored 15 third quarter points including a safety and a 57-yard interception return for a touchdown by Vashone Adams. An offensive struggle, neither side cracked 300 yards of total offense (EMU 294, MIA 208) on the day.

TIES BETWEEN EMU AND MIAMI: Despite not playing on a regular basis, Eastern Michigan and Miami do have some common bonds. EMU assistant coach Jay Peterson was a standout running back for the then-Redskins, where he earned four varsity letters from 1980-83 at Miami. His career total of 2,874 rushing yards ranks fifth on MU's all-time career rushing list. He was a co-captain as a senior and was a First Team All-MAC selection in 1982, a second team pick in 1983 and an honorable mention choice in 1981. Wide receivers coach Herb Haygood worked as an offensive intern at Miami in 2011 and 2012, assisting with the RedHawks wide receivers.
    On the Miami sideline, five different coaches or staff members spent time in Ypsilanti. Head Coach Chuck Martin was the linebackers coach at EMU from 1998-99 before departing to Grand Valley State University. Defensive Coordinator Matt Pawlowski coached the linebackers and special teams at Eastern Michigan for the 1999 season while safeties coach Joe Palcic began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at EMU in 1998. Additionally, Darrell Hallberg, Miami's Assistant AD/Equipment Services and Special Projects, worked for four years at EMU as the department's equipment manager before departing for Oxford. He also took Chad Burns with him as a part of his staff at Miami.

POC'S PRESENCE: Senior Pat O'Connor's sack tally sits at 5.5 this season and 17 for his career, which places him just a half sack behind the all-time program leader since 1998. Former Eagle Kevin Howe set the record with 17.5 from 2003-06. His 5.5 sacks rank 57th in the nation and fourth in the MAC.

ROBACK RISING: Redshirt junior Brogan Roback tossed for 319 yards against No. 20 Western Michigan, Oct. 22. The passing yardage was the third 300+ yard game of his career and the second straight game with over 300 yards through the air. The Maumee native is now just behind the team lead with 1,059 passing yards in the 2016 season.

MR. 4,000: With his 319 yards against No. 20 Western Michigan, Oct. 22, redshirt junior Brogan Roback surpassed the 4,000 career passing yard mark, becoming just the seventh EMU QB all-time to eclipse that milestone. His 4,128 and 28 passing touchdowns rank seventh all-time in program history while his 371 completions rank fifth.

PARKER PUNCHES IT IN: 'True' freshman Willie Parker got his first career carries against No. 20 Western Michigan, Oct. 22, and made the most of the opportunity. The Lutz, Fla. native had seven carries for 21 yards and his first career touchdown, a two-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.

TURNING OVER THE BRONCOS: The Eagles did something no one else has done against No. 20 Western Michigan, Oct. 22, and that was force multiple turnovers on the nationally ranked Broncos. Redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Harris had a strip sack in the first quarter, which was recovered by sophomore Kwanii Figueroa. It was the second fumble lost by WMU this season. Later in the game, EMU intercepted the first pass of Western's season when redshirt sophomore Ross Williams undercut a throw down the middle for the first INT of his career. They were just the second and third TOs of the year for Western.

BAILEY II BIG AGAINST THE BRONCOS: Junior Sergio Bailey II had another stout performance against the No. 20 Western Michigan Broncos, Oct. 22. The wide out finished with six catches for a team-high 93 yards. It was the third straight game of 89 or more yards for the JUCO transfer. He is EMU's leading receiver this year with 40 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns. The yardage total ranks 42nd in the nation and 10th in the MAC.

PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON: When the Eagles took a 17-14 lead in the second quarter against No. 20 Western Michigan, Oct. 22, it was the first time Western had trailed at home in four games this season.

CLUTCH ON FOURTH DOWN: In the game against No. 20 Western Michigan, Oct. 22, Eastern converted on all three fourth down tries, including one that turned into a 29-yard touchdown from Brogan Roback to Antoine Porter. It was the first fourth down conversion for EMU since the season opener against Mississippi Valley State. Eastern now ranks 18th in the nation, second MAC, with a 66.7 percent fourth down conversion rate.

NOT BACKING DOWN AGAINST THE BRONCOS: With the 45-31 defeat at the hands of No. 20 Western Michigan, Oct. 22, the 14-point loss was the closest margin of defeat for EMU against a ranked opponent in 13 tries. The previous low margin of defeat for EMU was 16 when they lost 23-7 to No. 21/20 Michigan State, Sept. 22, 2012. It was also the most points scored against a ranked squad, bettering the 22 put up by EMU last year at No. 9/8 LSU, Oct. 3, 2015.

BUMPING UP THE WINS: With five wins this season, the Eagles have produced as many wins as the previous three years combined. Last year, EMU won one game, while the squad won two apiece in the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

SPREADING THE LOVE: Through eight games, Eastern Michigan has totaled 2,219 yards through the air, however only one of EMU's receivers have recorded a 100-yard receiving game, as Sergio Bailey II accomplished the feat against Ohio, Oct. 15. 16 different receivers have caught passes for EMU this season, while six have 10 or more receptions and seven have 100+ yards receiving on the season.

ESSENCE OF FRICANO: Redshirt freshman Paul Fricano remains perfect on the season for PATs, going 31-for-31, which is tied for first in the MAC. The first year kicker is also 11-of-14 in field goals, which ranks him 38th in the nation in field goal percentage (3rd MAC), as well as 34th in field goals per game (3rd MAC).

NEW RECEIVERS THRIVING: So far this season, EMU's four leading receivers are all newcomers. A trio of JUCO receivers have found success donning the Green and White, as juniors Sergio Bailey II, Antonie Porter, and Johnnie Niupalau have totaled 565, 402, and 234 receiving yards respectively on the season. Additionally, redshirt freshman Nigel Kilby has been stellar at the tight end position, as he currently has the third-most receiving yards so far this year with 321. The foursome has also combined to catch 13 of the 15 touchdown passes on the season.

OFFENSIVE LINE SHINES: The EMU offensive line did not yield a sack against No. 20 Western Michigan. Oct. 22. It was the fourth game EMU has kept the QB clean on the day. On the season, EMU is fourth in the nation (1st MAC) in fewest sacks allowed, while they are also second in the FBS (1st MAC) in tackles for loss allowed behind only Missouri.

WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE: So far this season, the Eagles have found success in games in which the squad has won the turnover battle. Eastern tied the turnover battle against No. 20 Western Michigan, Oct. 22, as the Eagles forced two turnovers. In total, Eastern holds a 16-14 TO advantage with a safety, six interceptions, and nine fumble recoveries. Not only is the squad getting the ball back, but it is taking advantage of it and putting points on the board. EMU has turned its 16 turnovers into 58 points, including nine touchdowns.

FOCUSING ON THE FUMBLES: EMU's nine fumble recoveries this season rank them fourth in the country and tops in the MAC. Individually, redshirt senior Pat O'Connor leads the team with three of the forced fumbles, which is good for 22nd in the nation and second in the MAC.

BOMBS AWAY BARNES: Redshirt junior Austin Barnes continues to have a great season punting the ball. Barnes booted three punts in the Oct. 15 game at Ohio, averaging 47.0 yards per punt, and a long of 51. His season-best average came three weeks before at Bowling Green, where he averaged 50.0 yards per punt and a long of 56 yards. His season average of 46.4 is ranked seventh in the country and second in the MAC. The redshirt junior punter holds a career average of 43.1 yards, which is second all-time in EMU history, while his 6,596 total yards ranks seventh all-time.

EFFICIENT IN THE RED ZONE: Both sides of the ball have got it done this season within the 20 yard lines. The offense has scored on 92.1 percent of its red zone opportunities, which is 17th in the nation and second in the MAC, while the defense has only allowed scores on 83.3 percent of red zone possessions, good for 59th in the nation and fourth in the conference.

THE DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: In its first season under new defensive coordinator Neal Neathery and his 4-2-5 scheme, Eastern Michigan has seen remarkable improvement in its overall defense. Through eight games this season, EMU has allowed 3,416 total yards (427 per game). Last season, the Eagles had allowed 4,148 yards through six games (518.5 per game). EMU's defense ranks 81st in the country and seventh in the MAC. Additionally, the top-three total defensive performances of Creighton's tenure have all come in 2016.

OFFENSE KEEPS CHURNING: The Eagles' offense, meanwhile, is picking up where it left off from last season. The unit is ranked 49th in the country, fifth in the MAC, averaging 431.4 yards per game, while they are 53rd in scoring, fourth in the MAC, averaging 31.5 points a game. So far this season, EMU has put up four of the top-10 total yards' performances in Chris Creighton's tenure.

ON THE HORIZON: The Eagles begin midweek play affectionately known as "MACtion" next week they travel to Muncie, Ind. for the final away contest of 2016 against Ball State. Kickoff from Schuemann Stadium is set for either 7 or 7:30 on Election night, Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Miami Comes to Town for Band/Hall of Fame Day Saturday, Oct. 29

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Players Mentioned

Sergio Bailey II

Austin Barnes

Kwanii Figueroa

Paulie Fricano

Jeremiah Harris

Nigel Kilby

Johnnie Niupalau

Pat O'Connor

Willie Parker

Antoine Porter

Brogan Roback

Ross Williams

Eastern Michigan Athletics