Football Returns Home Thursday for Nationally Televised Game Against BSU

Football vs. Ball State
Date	Thursday, Nov. 2 \| 6 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	CBS Sports Network
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| TuneIn Radio
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Tickets	Order Tickets Online or call 734.487.3669 \| Bag Policy

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – #MACtion continues for the Eastern Michigan University football team, as Ball State University comes to town Thursday, Nov. 2, for a midweek clash between Mid-American Conference West Division foes. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium.
Both teams are looking to crack the win column for the first time since the month of September. The Eagles (2-6, 0-4 MAC) were once again turned away in overtime, dropping a 30-27 decision at Northern Illinois University, Oct. 26. Meanwhile, the Cardinals (2-6, 0-4 MAC) have lost five consecutive games, most recently falling at home to the University of Toledo, 58-17, Oct. 26.
The contest will be nationally televised by CBS Sports Network with Jason Horowitz providing play-by-play, Aaron Murray serving as the analyst, and Cassie McKinney reporting from the sideline. WEMU (89.1 FM) will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard, Rob Rubick, and Chad Bush calling the action on the field.

GOALS STILL REMAIN: With four games remaining, EMU's season goals still remain squarely intact – to go to back-to-back bowl games for the first time in school history then win it. The Eagles will need to win out to do so versus competition that has a .313 winning percentage (10-22).

MOST CONSECUTIVE OVERTIME GAMES IN A SEASON: Having played back-to-back overtime contests versus WMU and NIU, Eastern Michigan has tied the NCAA record for most consecutive overtime games in the same season. It was most recently accomplished by Louisiana-Lafayette, Tulsa, and California in 2016.

WHO SAID TELEVISION DRAMA IS DEAD?: CBS Sports Network and ESPN can thank EMU for plenty of high drama during the 2017 football season. For the seventh consecutive game, the outcome of an EMU game was decided on final drive with four of them in doubt until the final play. In total, the Eagles are 23 points away from the possibility of still being undefeated.

at Rutgers – final play (sack to win as time expired)
Ohio – final play (lost in overtime)
at Kentucky – final play (chance to win on a pass into the end zone)
at Toledo – final drive (interception with Toledo taking a knee on the last play)
at Army West Point – final drive (failed two-point conversion)
Western Michigan – final play (lost in overtime)
at Northern Illinois – final play (lost in overtime)

CLOSE CALLS: The Eagles have weathered through plenty of gut-wrenching moments this year with seven on the eight contests being decided on the final drive. In a nationwide poll of SIDs and statistical analysis providers, no one has yet to remember anything quite like what EMU has experienced.
Last year, Notre Dame suffered seven losses by a combined 32 points en route to a 4-8 season. Southern California in 2010 had six games decided by four points or less, including five games decided by three or fewer.

NO CONSOLATION: For just the second time since joining the MAC in 1976, EMU has played seven consecutive one possession games. The current team is 1-6 in those contests decided by just 26 points. The 1993 squad weathered through seven-straight heart-stopping weekends with a 4-3 mark decided by a total of 31 points.
Since 1976, EMU has eight seasons with five-or-more games decided by a single possession. The 1993 club bears the standard of eight games, while the 1984, 2006, 2011, and 2016 seasons all featured seven games with outcomes of eight points-or-less.

COMING DOWN TO THE WIRE: In 2017, seven of EMU's eight games have been within seven points or less, with EMU winning just one (16-13 over Rutgers), and losing the last six. The last six Eagle losses have come by a combined 23 points. Further complicating it, the last six opponents EMU has lost to have either achieved bowl eligible status (six wins), or are just one win away from accomplishing that feat.
In EMU's last 21 games, dating back to the start of the 2016 season, 15 of them have come down to final scores of just seven points or less. Of the 15 games, EMU has a 6-9 record.

OVERTIME HEARTBREAK: Against Northern Illinois, Oct. 26, Eastern Michigan played an overtime contest for the third time this season. It is the first time in program history EMU has had three overtime games in a single season.

ALL-TIME VS. BALL STATE: The Eagles and Cardinals have met 58 times in their respective histories, with BSU leading the all-time series, 34-22-2. The two schools first met back in 1936, and have faced off annually since 1973. Last year, EMU tasted victory in the series for the first time since 2010 with a thrilling 48-41 triumph at Schuemann Stadium, Nov. 8, 2016.

LAST TIME AGAINST THE CARDINALS: On 2016 Election Night, EMU overcame a 21-point first quarter deficit to defeat Ball State, 48-41, at Schuemann Stadium to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1995. The 21-point comeback tied the largest deficit overcome by an Eagles team in program history.
The EMU offense carried the day, totaling a season-high 622 yards of total offense, including 468 through the air and 154 on the ground. It was the fourth-most total offense by EMU in program history and the most since 2012.
Orchestrating the Eagle attack was once again Brogan Roback who had a career-high 468 yards passing on 37-of-71 passing, both of which were career-highs as well. He threw for three touchdowns on the night. 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.

FOLLOW THE EASTERN LIGHTS: Fans will not want to miss the debut of the Eastern Lights against Ball State, Nov. 2. Those in attendance will experience college football's finest light show as part of EMU's high-performance energy-efficient LED stadium lights from Eaton's Ephesus Lighting. The lights will be showcase during pregame introduction and scoring plays along as well as between the third and fourth quarters.

NO SOUP FOR YOU!: Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery's crew has proven to be very stingy in the fourth quarter, allowing just 3.9 points per game over the course of the final 15 minutes. Even better at home, the Eagles have not given up a fourth quarter point inside "The Factory".
Nationally, EMU ranks ninth in the fewest points given up in the fourth with Wisconsin leading the way at 2.0 ppg.

SUFFOCATING DEFENSE: Eastern Michigan's defense has not only been one of the best units in the conference, but also the country in almost every facet of the game. Heading into week nine, the Eagles rank in the top-50 nationally in eight major defensive categories:

BLOCKED PUNT LEADING TO POINTS: Against Northern Illinois, Oct. 26, Mathew Sexton blocked a punt, which scooted into the end zone, and was recovered by Jaron Johnson for a score. It was the first blocked punt for a touchdown since Nathan Adams did so against Morgan State, Aug. 30, 2014. In addition, it was the first blocked punt for a touchdown given up by the Huskies since 2004.

REACHING INTO THE BAG OF TRICKS: For the fourth time this season, EMU used a trick play to for a big gain to spark the offense. On a screen to wide receiver Isaac Holder, he heaved a pass down field and found Bryce Kemp for a 45-yard touchdown to make it 24-10 over Northern Illinois. It was Holder's third completion on the season, and his first career TD pass. It was also the second passing touchdown from a wideout this year, as Jaron Johnson had one for 43 yards against Kentucky, Sept. 30.

ROBACK RISING: Now more than midway through his final season in the Green and White senior quarterback Brogan Roback has etched himself into the upper echelon of four major statistical categories in EMU history. For his career, he ranks second in completions (687), passing touchdowns (49), passing yards (7,847), and total offense (8,070). Beyond just EMU, Roback is among the FBS leaders in active total offense and passing yards, ranking 14th among current players in passing yards, and 15th in total offense.

LOCKED IN ON D: Through eight games, EMU opponents have combined to score a total of just 169 points, for an average of 21.2 points per contest. On that current pace, EMU would finish with 254 points yielded on the year. It would be the fewest points given up in a season since 1993, when it gave up 220 in 11 games. Should EMU's defense finish with less than 264 points on the season, it would be the fewest allowed by an Eagle defense since moving to a 12-game regular season schedule in 2002.

DEUCES WILD: In just his second season in the program senior wideout Sergio Bailey II sits eighth on the all-time receiving yardage list with 1,521, while he is also 11th on the all-time receptions list (104) and tied for fifth on the career TD catches list (12).
Furthermore, Bailey is one of just 37 players in the FBS to have an active streak of 20-more more consecutive games with a reception. Bailey has caught at least one pass in all 21 games during his EMU career, while Iowa State's Allen Lazard holds the national standard at 43.

BECK ON THE STOP: Senior Jason Beck, who transitioned from safety to linebacker this season, has racked up 323 tackles in his career, making him just the 16th EMU player to reach the 300-tackle milestone, and placing him 13th all-time at EMU. In terms of the national scale, Beck's 323 stops is eighth amongst active FBS players.

PAULIE RACKING UP THE POINTS: In just his second season as the primary place kicker for EMU, Paulie Fricano has racked up 145 career points, which is good for 11th on the all-time EMU scoring list. Former Eagle kicker Andrew Wellock is the program leader with 299 career points.

DYNAMIC DUO: The defensive end duo of Jeremiah Harris and Maxx Crosby have been the leaders of the high sack and tackle for loss movement thus far for the Eagles in 2017. On the season, Crosby is EMU's sack leader with 5.0 sacks to go along with 8.5 tackles for loss. Meanwhile, Harris is the TFL leader with 9.0, and has chipped in 4.0 sacks as well. Crosby ranks 45th in the conference and fourth in the NCAA in sacks

BEHIND ENEMY LINES: The Green and White have made a living feasting on the opposition behind the line of scrimmage this season. Through eight games, the Eagles have registered 50 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. In 2016, the Eagles totaled 60.0 tackles for loss and 21.0 sacks in 13 games. On its current pace of about six tackles for loss per game, EMU is set to rack up the most TFL's since 2001. Additionally, if Eastern is able to maintain its average of about 2.5 sacks per contest it would be the third-most in program history and most since 1999.

SPREADING THE LOVE: In the first eight games of the season, senior quarterback Brogan Roback has spread the ball around to a multitude of targets, having completed passes to at least eight different in seven of the first eight games. The veteran found 10 different receivers against Charlotte, eight different receivers against Rutgers, 12 different targets against Ohio, eight against Kentucky, nine against Toledo, 10 against Western Michigan, and then 12 against Northern Illinois. The lone game in which Roback did not connect with at least eight wideouts was against Army.
With the average of nine different receivers per game, EMU ranks third in the country in different wideouts with a catch per game.

INSIDE ROBACK'S TD TOSSES: During his time donning the Green and White, Brogan Roback has thrown 49 touchdown passes, the second-most in program history. For his career, Roback has tossed TD passes to 18 different receivers. Current teammate Sergio Bailey II has been his favorite target, hauling in 11 touchdown catches, while Dustin Creel and Antoine Porter have made six TD catches apiece.

ROLLING THE DICE MORE THAN KENNY ROGERS: Gambling on fourth down has become a regular occurrence for EMU football in the 2017 season. So far, Eastern has gone for it on fourth down 13 times, converting on eight of the plays. The 61.54% ratio ties what the Eagles ended with in the 2016 campaign. Both their attempts and conversions rank second in the MAC, while their conversion percentage ranks fourth. On the opposite side of the ball, the Eagles' 4th-down defense is tied for first in the MAC, as they've held opponents to only two successful attempts on seven tries.

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern gets another short week as it prepares for a Wednesday night contest against in-state rival Central Michigan University, Nov. 8. Kickoff from Kelly/Shorts Stadium is set for either a 7 or 8 p.m. start.

Football Returns Home Thursday for Nationally Televised Game Against BSU

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Players Mentioned

Sergio Bailey II

Jason Beck

Maxx Crosby

Paulie Fricano

Jeremiah Harris

Isaac Holder

Jaron Johnson

Bryce Kemp

Antoine Porter

Brogan Roback

Mathew Sexton

Eastern Michigan Athletics