Football Returns Home Wednesday for Nationally Televised Game Against NIU

Football vs. Northern Illinois
Date	Wednesday, Nov. 16 \| 8 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	ESPNU
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| TuneIn Radio
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Tickets	Order Tickets Online or call 734.487.2282 \| Clear Bag Policy
Bowl Information	2016 Bowl Selection Process and Packages

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – After a 29-year drought the Eastern Michigan University football team looks to continue its push for a bowl game Wednesday night, Nov. 16, against Northern Illinois University inside "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium at 8 p.m.
   The Eagles enter the #MACtion clash at 6-4 (3-3 MAC) after an incredible come-from-behind win over Ball State University, Nov. 8. Meanwhile, NIU (3-7, 3-3 MAC) travels to Ypsilanti on the heels of a 34-24 setback to the University of Toledo, Nov. 9, at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Ill.
   The contest will be nationally televised by ESPNU. WEMU (89.1 FM) will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick calling the action on the field. Also, the EMU Ticket Office will be offering a special "Let's Roll to the Bowl" promotion with a ticket to both the NIU and Central Michigan contests for just $20 by calling 734.487.2282.

BIGGEST TURNAROUNDS: Ten games into the 2016 season, Eastern Michigan has improved on its 2015 win total by five games, from one win to six. This ties for the lead in the FBS for the largest turnaround from 2015 to 2016 with UCF and Wyoming, who have improved their win total from zero to five and two to seven, respectively.

STRIVING FOR SEVEN: The Eagles head into Wednesday night's showdown in search of their seventh win of the season, currently boasting a 6-4 overall record. Eastern Michigan has not posted seven wins in a season since 1989, when EMU finished the season 7-3-1 under Jim Harkema.

BOWL ELIGIBLE: With the 48-41 win over Ball State, Nov. 8, Eastern Michigan became bowl eligible for the first time since 1995. EMU's last bowl appearance came in 1987, when Eastern defeated San Jose State 30-27 in the California Bowl. EMU currently has the second-longest bowl drought in the FBS ranks, as New Mexico State has not been to a bowl since 1960.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE HUSKIES: Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois are meeting for the 47th time in their respective histories. NIU holds a 30-14-2 advantage in the all-time series that dates back to 1927. The Huskies recorded a 49-21 victory last year, Oct. 24, 2015, in DeKalb.

EMU'S LAST WIN OVER NIU: Eastern's last win in the series came Sept. 15, 2007, by a 21-19 margin. In that game, Eastern Michigan overcame a 13-point deficit to post a 21-19 victory over Northern Illinois on the road. An EMU interception setup a Pierre Walker game-winning touchdown score with 5:29 left in the game. Then, with the outcome still very much in doubt, Eric Young stepped up to block Chris Nendick's 50-yard field goal attempt as time expired to seal the two-point EMU win.

COMEBACK KIDS: The 21-point, come-from-behind win over Ball State, Nov. 8, tied the largest deficit overcome by an EMU team in program history. EMU previously came back from 21 points down in 2010 when the Eagles defeated Ball State in overtime at Scheumann Stadium, which also marked the last time EMU defeated BSU.

ROBACK IN THE CLUTCH: Not only did EMU's 21-point come-from-behind victory over Ball State, Nov. 8, tie the program record for the largest in program history, it also marked the third fourth-quarter game-winning drive by redshirt junior Brogan Roback. The Toledo, Ohio native marched the Eagles down the field with 1:37 ticks left on the clock, completing 6-of-7 attempts on the drive to set the Green and White up with first and goal with 34 seconds remaining. Redshirt sophomore Ian Eriksen punched it in from the one yard line and Roback found junior Sergio Bailey II for the two-point conversion, lifting EMU to a 48-41 victory.

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: The Eagle offense came alive in the 48-41 win over Ball State, Nov. 8. The Eagles sprung for 622 yards of total offense, including 468 through the air and 154 on the ground. It was the fourth-highest total offensive effort from EMU in program history, and the most since 2012. The 35 first downs were also the second-most in program history behind the 38 against Central Michigan in 2008.

CONDUCTING THE OFFENSIVE MACHINE: Redshirt junior Brogan Roback continued his stellar season with his best game as an Eagle yet in the 48-41 win over Ball State, Nov. 8. The Toledo native threw for a career-high 468 yards on 37-of-71 passing, both of which were career-highs as well, and three touchdown. The 37 completions ranked fourth in a single game all-time, while 71 attempts were third in a single-game all-time. It was the third-most passing yards in a game in program history, and the most since Andy Schmitt set the program record with 516 in 2008. The dual-threat QB also got it done on the ground, with a career-high tying 41 yards on eight rushes, as well as his fourth career rushing score.

ROBACK RISING: Redshirt junior quarterback Brogan Roback leads the team with 1,855 yards on 150 completions and 13 touchdowns. For his career, Roback has 4,924 yards and 33 passing touchdowns, which rank fifth and tied for fifth all-time in program history, while his 431 completions rank fifth as well.

HISTORIC OFFENSIVE SEASON: The Eastern Michigan offense is close to attaining one of the biggest offensive seasons in its history this season. Currently the team ranks seventh in touchdowns (38) and completions (240), tied for sixth in points (363), sixth in total offense (4,434), and tied for fourth in both passing yards (3,323) and passing touchdowns (20).

ROAD KILL: With the 48-41 win over Ball State, Nov. 8, Eastern Michigan picked up its fourth road victory of the season, the first time EMU has accomplished this feat since 1987. That year, EMU won away from home against Miami, Kent State, Western Michigan, and Toledo on their way to a 10-2 season and a California Bowl victory.

INSIDE THE WINS: EMU has pieced together a 6-4 overall record through its first 10 games this season. The Eagles have posted wins over Mississippi Valley State, Charlotte, Wyoming, Bowling Green, Ohio, and Ball State. Together, those teams have combined for a 24-32 record, while Wyoming and Ohio sit at 7-2 and 7-3 on the year, respectively, and lead their conference divisions.

O'CONNOR THE SACK KING: Senior Pat O'Connor registered 1.5 sacks in the 48-41 win over Ball State, Nov. 8 , which put him at 18.5 for his career, making him the program leader since 1998. Former Eagle Kevin Howe previously set the record with 17.5 from 2003-06. O'Connor's seven sacks rank 57th in the nation and fifth in the MAC.

PACE WITH THE PICKS: Senior DaQuan Pace had two crucial interceptions in the 48-41 win over Ball State, Nov. 8. His first came in the end zone in the fourth quarter to halt a Ball State drive, while his second came at the end of the game to seal the victory. They were just the second and third INTs of Pace's career, who is the EMU all-time leader in passes broken up.

BUSCHMAN'S BIG DAY: Redshirt junior Dan Buschman had the best day of his Eastern career in the 48-41 win over Ball State, Nov. 8. The tight end had two touchdown catches, totaling 31 yards, which were the first two TD catches of his career. Prior to the game, Buschman had just six catches for 103 yards.

ELECTRIC ERIKSEN: Redshirt sophomore Ian Eriksen had 109 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns in the 48-41 win over Ball State, Nov. 8. It was the second 100-yard rushing game of his season and career. Eriksen is EMU's leading rusher this year with 570 yards on 145 carries and seven touchdowns.

DEFENSE MAKING THE STOPS: Despite giving up 41 points in the win over Ball State, Nov. 8, the defense did not allow a third down conversion until late in the fourth quarter, and held the Cardinals to just 2-of-13 on third downs in the game. The nine punts forced was a season-high for the Eagles.

EAGLES IN TIGHT GAMES: Eastern has emerged victorious in all four games decided by seven points or less this season. The Eagles bested Wyoming, 27-24, Bowling Green, 28-25, Ohio 27-20, and Ball State by a final tally of 48-41.

AUSTIN BARNES NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR RAY GUY AWARD: Redshirt junior punter Austin Barnes was named a semifinalist for the 2016 Ray Guy Award, which honors the nation's top collegiate punter, the Augusta Sports Council announced Friday, Nov. 11. The 10 candidates were voted on by a national body of sports writers, coaches, and sports information directors.
   Following the semifinalists announcement, a national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, coaches, media representatives, and previous Ray Guy Award winners will vote for the top three finalists, who will be identified on Nov. 22. The voting body will then cast ballots to select the winner. The 2016 Ray Guy Award winner will be announced live on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec.8.

ESSENCE OF FRICANO: Redshirt freshman Paul Fricano is 14-of-17 in field goals, which ranks him 33rd in the nation in field goal percentage (2nd MAC), as well as 32nd in field goals per game (3rd MAC). He has also converted 35-of-36 extra point opportunities. The Rochester, N.Y. native is now three PAT's away from the single-season program record for makes, while he is also just seven field goals away from the single-season program record as well. In all, his 77 points rank eighth in a single-season for EMU all-time.

NEW RECEIVERS THRIVING: So far this season, EMU's five leading receivers are all newcomers. A trio of JUCO receivers have found success donning the Green and White, as juniors Sergio Bailey II, Antoine Porter, and Johnnie Niupalau have totaled 655, 454, and 293 receiving yards, respectively, on the season. Additionally, redshirt freshmen Nigel Kilby and Dieuly Aristilde have been stellar catching the ball, as they currently have the third and fourth-most receiving yards so far this year with 399 and 320, respectively. The five players have also combined to catch 16 of EMU's 20 touchdown passes on the season.

FOCUSING ON THE FUMBLES: EMU's 13 fumble recoveries this season rank them fifth in the country and top among the MAC. Senior Pat O'Connor leads the way with four forced fumbles, which is good for 19th in the nation and second in the MAC. Redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Harris is second with three and is ranked 19th in the nation (second in the MAC).

WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE: Eastern won the turnover battle, 5-3, against Ball State, Nov. 8. In total, Eastern holds a 22-18 TO advantage with a safety, eight interceptions, and 13 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 22 turnovers into 78 points, including 10 touchdowns.

CLUTCH ON FOURTH DOWN: In the game against Miami, Oct. 29, Eastern converted on two-of-three fourth down tries, including one that turned into a 4-yard touchdown from Brogan Roback to Nigel Kilby in the fourth quarter. EMU has converted on 6-of-9 fourth down tries this season, which ranks 14th in the nation and second in the MAC.

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 10 games this season, EMU has allowed 4,368 total yards (436.3 per game). Last season, the Eagles had allowed 5,209 yards through nine games (520.9 per game). EMU's defense ranks 82nd in the country and eighth 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 443.4 yards per game, while they are 60th in scoring, fifth 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.

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 92.3 percent of its red zone opportunities, which is 13th in the nation and second in the MAC, while the defense has only allowed scores on 84.4 percent of red zone possessions, good for 68th in the nation and seventh in the conference.

SPREADING THE LOVE: Through 10 games, 16 different receivers have caught passes for EMU, while nine have 10 or more receptions and nine have 100+ yards receiving on the season. Additionally, eight have caught a touchdown pass.

BUMPING UP THE WINS: With six 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.

BOMBS AWAY BARNES: Redshirt junior Austin Barnes continues to have a great season punting the ball. Barnes booted eight punts for 294 yards (36.8 average) against Ball State, Nov. 8, which included four that landed inside the 20-yard line. His season-best average came four weeks before at Bowling Green, where he averaged 50.0 yards per punt and a long of 56 yards. For his efforts, he was named the MAC's West Division Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season.
   His season average of 45.1 is ranked 12th in the country and second in the MAC. The redshirt junior punter holds a career average of 43.0 yards, which is second all-time in EMU history, while his 7,178 total yards ranks seventh all-time and his 54 punts downed inside the 20 rank tied for third.

ON THE HORIZON: The Eagles remain in mid-week action when they close out the regular season with a home MAC West showdown versus rival Central Michigan University. Kickoff from Rynearson Stadium is set for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 22.

Football Returns Home Wednesday for Nationally Televised Game Against NIU

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Players Mentioned

Dieuly Aristilde Jr.

Sergio Bailey II

Austin Barnes

Dan Buschman

Ian Eriksen

Paulie Fricano

Jeremiah Harris

Nigel Kilby

Johnnie Niupalau

Pat O'Connor

DaQuan Pace

Antoine Porter

Brogan Roback

Eastern Michigan Athletics