Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, November 10
Rynearson Stadium
12 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
6-5 , 4-3
27
vs
7
Akron
4-5 , 2-4
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Akron
0
7
0
0
7
Eastern Michigan
7
3
0
17
27
Football Becomes Bowl Eligible; Defense Shines in 27-7 Senior Day Victory
11/10/2018 4:18:00 PM | Football
The victory marked the first time the Eagles have won four-straight MAC games since the 1995 season
Photo Gallery | Video Highlights.
Postgame Press Conference.
Bowl Ticket Interest Form.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team gave its 18-member senior class a memorable last game in "The Factory" off, becoming bowl eligible with a 27-7 win over the University of Akron Saturday, Nov. 10, at Rynearson Stadium. Eastern's defense led the charge once again, this time not allowing an offensive touchdown as they limited the Zips to just 90 yards of total offense while forcing 10 three-and-outs.
With the win, Eastern Michigan moved to 6-5 (4-3 MAC) and is bowl eligible for the first time since the 2016 season. EMU has previously played in bowl games during the 1971, 1987, and 2016 campaigns, however, the team also had six-or-more wins in 1988, 1989, 1995, and 2011 but did not receive a bowl bid. In addition, the Eagles have won four-straight Mid-American Conference battles for the first time since the 1995 season. Conversely, with the loss, Akron drops to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the league.
The Eagles' defense had an electric day to send their seniors off in style, racking up eight tackles-for-loss, three interceptions, and two sacks. Junior Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage) continued to show why he is one of the top defensive players in the nation, as he totaled a pick-six, a sack, and eight total tackles, including three tackles-for-loss, to lead the Eagles. In his last home appearance, senior Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East) recorded a sack and 1.5 tackles-for-loss, notching seven tackles. His tackle efforts moved his season totals past the century mark, wrangling 102 total for the season. All of the Green and White's interceptions were gathered by juniors, as Vince Calhoun (Middletown, Ohio- Middletown), Crosby, and Kevin McGill (Waldorf, Md.-Westlake) each snagged a pick on the day.
Eastern's defense once again made their presence known early, holding the Zips to just two total offensive yards throughout the first quarter. By the end of the first half, the Eagles had totaled up more than 205 yards of offense, while the Green and White's defense held Akron to just 14, the fewest yards given up by the Eagles in a half all season. In total, Akron was able to earn just 90 total offensive yards, the fewest yards gained by an Eagles' opponent since Ball State University had 24 yards in a 60-0 shutout, Nov. 14, 1970.
In an offensive effort that saw Eastern record 252 rushing yards, the best ground attack of the 2018 season, senior Ian Eriksen (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) led the Eagles in his last time playing on the gray turf. Eriksen rumbled for 96 yards on 15 attempts and a score, and was aided by junior Breck Turner (Norwalk, Ohio-Norwalk) and sophomore Willie Parker (Tampa, Fla.-Carrolwood Day School), who rushed for 44 and 38 rushing yards, respectively. Turner also ran in a touchdown to round out his performance.
Graduate transfer Tyler Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich.-Detroit Country Day (Iowa)) added a 15-for-23 performance, throwing for 129 yards in the victory.
Akron was led by Jeremiah Knight, adding the Zips only score to the board in a 70-yard punt return. Van Edwards rushed for 53 yards to head Akron's rushing game, while Alex Ramart gathered a 4-for-15 performance, throwing three interceptions and totaling 29 yards.
After a three-and-out opening drive by Akron, the Eagles stepped onto the gridiron and drove down the length of the field for the first score of the day. The series knocked 7:57 off the clock, moving 84 yards in 17 plays, finished off with a one-yard rush by senior Eriksen.
The Eagles would not score again until 4:23 left in the half, when freshman kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedarwood) knocked a 25-yard field goal attempt through the uprights to push Eastern's lead to 10-0.
Akron earned its first and only score of the day when Knight returned Eastern's punt to the endzone, running 70 yards down the field.
A wild start to the second half insured both teams touched the ball within the first three minutes of play. The Eagles, who won the coin toss to start off the game and deferred to the second half, fumbled the opening kickoff to give the Zips the first offensive series. On the ensuing drive, a botched field goal attempt by Akron was disrupted by sophomore Freddie McGee III (Canton, Mich.-Salem), sending the ball back to the Green and White.
The Green and White broke the scoring wide open with three back-to-back interceptions of the Zips to close the third quarter and start the fourth. McGill nabbed the first Eagles pick of the day when he grabbed Ramart's deep first down toss one-handed with four minutes left in the third.
Crosby was the next Eastern player to add an interception to the box score, as he caught Ramart's pass in the shadow's of Akron goal post and ran it in for the one-yard score. The pick six was the first by an Eagle since Jeff Hubbard (Atlanta, Ga.-Woodward Academy) ran one back against Ball State University last year, Nov. 2, 2017.
On the next Zips' play, Calhoun grabbed Akron's attempted pass to give the ball back to the Green and White. The Eagles' offense used the pick to grow their lead over the Zips, as Turner used a handoff from sophomore quarterback Isaac Stiebeling (Fort Wayne, Ind.-Snider) to rush six yards into the endzone.
Ryland added one more field goal to seal the Eagles win, adding three points with a 41-yard kick with 3:32 left in the meeting.
After 11 straight weeks of matchups on the gridiron, the Eagles will enjoy a bye week before closing out their 2018 campaign against Kent State in Kent, Ohio, Nov. 23. The cross-divisional matchup is the first meeting of the Golden Flashes and Eagles since 2012, and the 31st overall with the Golden Flashes holding a 17-13 edge in the series.
Postgame Press Conference.
Bowl Ticket Interest Form.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team gave its 18-member senior class a memorable last game in "The Factory" off, becoming bowl eligible with a 27-7 win over the University of Akron Saturday, Nov. 10, at Rynearson Stadium. Eastern's defense led the charge once again, this time not allowing an offensive touchdown as they limited the Zips to just 90 yards of total offense while forcing 10 three-and-outs.
With the win, Eastern Michigan moved to 6-5 (4-3 MAC) and is bowl eligible for the first time since the 2016 season. EMU has previously played in bowl games during the 1971, 1987, and 2016 campaigns, however, the team also had six-or-more wins in 1988, 1989, 1995, and 2011 but did not receive a bowl bid. In addition, the Eagles have won four-straight Mid-American Conference battles for the first time since the 1995 season. Conversely, with the loss, Akron drops to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the league.
The Eagles' defense had an electric day to send their seniors off in style, racking up eight tackles-for-loss, three interceptions, and two sacks. Junior Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage) continued to show why he is one of the top defensive players in the nation, as he totaled a pick-six, a sack, and eight total tackles, including three tackles-for-loss, to lead the Eagles. In his last home appearance, senior Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East) recorded a sack and 1.5 tackles-for-loss, notching seven tackles. His tackle efforts moved his season totals past the century mark, wrangling 102 total for the season. All of the Green and White's interceptions were gathered by juniors, as Vince Calhoun (Middletown, Ohio- Middletown), Crosby, and Kevin McGill (Waldorf, Md.-Westlake) each snagged a pick on the day.
Eastern's defense once again made their presence known early, holding the Zips to just two total offensive yards throughout the first quarter. By the end of the first half, the Eagles had totaled up more than 205 yards of offense, while the Green and White's defense held Akron to just 14, the fewest yards given up by the Eagles in a half all season. In total, Akron was able to earn just 90 total offensive yards, the fewest yards gained by an Eagles' opponent since Ball State University had 24 yards in a 60-0 shutout, Nov. 14, 1970.
In an offensive effort that saw Eastern record 252 rushing yards, the best ground attack of the 2018 season, senior Ian Eriksen (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) led the Eagles in his last time playing on the gray turf. Eriksen rumbled for 96 yards on 15 attempts and a score, and was aided by junior Breck Turner (Norwalk, Ohio-Norwalk) and sophomore Willie Parker (Tampa, Fla.-Carrolwood Day School), who rushed for 44 and 38 rushing yards, respectively. Turner also ran in a touchdown to round out his performance.
Graduate transfer Tyler Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich.-Detroit Country Day (Iowa)) added a 15-for-23 performance, throwing for 129 yards in the victory.
Akron was led by Jeremiah Knight, adding the Zips only score to the board in a 70-yard punt return. Van Edwards rushed for 53 yards to head Akron's rushing game, while Alex Ramart gathered a 4-for-15 performance, throwing three interceptions and totaling 29 yards.
After a three-and-out opening drive by Akron, the Eagles stepped onto the gridiron and drove down the length of the field for the first score of the day. The series knocked 7:57 off the clock, moving 84 yards in 17 plays, finished off with a one-yard rush by senior Eriksen.
The Eagles would not score again until 4:23 left in the half, when freshman kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedarwood) knocked a 25-yard field goal attempt through the uprights to push Eastern's lead to 10-0.
Akron earned its first and only score of the day when Knight returned Eastern's punt to the endzone, running 70 yards down the field.
A wild start to the second half insured both teams touched the ball within the first three minutes of play. The Eagles, who won the coin toss to start off the game and deferred to the second half, fumbled the opening kickoff to give the Zips the first offensive series. On the ensuing drive, a botched field goal attempt by Akron was disrupted by sophomore Freddie McGee III (Canton, Mich.-Salem), sending the ball back to the Green and White.
The Green and White broke the scoring wide open with three back-to-back interceptions of the Zips to close the third quarter and start the fourth. McGill nabbed the first Eagles pick of the day when he grabbed Ramart's deep first down toss one-handed with four minutes left in the third.
Crosby was the next Eastern player to add an interception to the box score, as he caught Ramart's pass in the shadow's of Akron goal post and ran it in for the one-yard score. The pick six was the first by an Eagle since Jeff Hubbard (Atlanta, Ga.-Woodward Academy) ran one back against Ball State University last year, Nov. 2, 2017.
On the next Zips' play, Calhoun grabbed Akron's attempted pass to give the ball back to the Green and White. The Eagles' offense used the pick to grow their lead over the Zips, as Turner used a handoff from sophomore quarterback Isaac Stiebeling (Fort Wayne, Ind.-Snider) to rush six yards into the endzone.
Ryland added one more field goal to seal the Eagles win, adding three points with a 41-yard kick with 3:32 left in the meeting.
After 11 straight weeks of matchups on the gridiron, the Eagles will enjoy a bye week before closing out their 2018 campaign against Kent State in Kent, Ohio, Nov. 23. The cross-divisional matchup is the first meeting of the Golden Flashes and Eagles since 2012, and the 31st overall with the Golden Flashes holding a 17-13 edge in the series.
Team Stats
AKRON
EMU
Total Yards
90
384
Pass Yards
29
132
Rushing Yards
61
252
Penalty Yards
25
65
1st Downs
6
20
3rd Downs
0
5
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
21:32
38:19
1st Quarter
AKRON 0, EMU 7
EMU - ERIKSEN, Ian 1 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 17 plays, 83 yards, TOP 7:57
2nd Quarter
AKRON 0, EMU 10
EMU - RYLAND, Chad 25 yd field goal 10 plays, 54 yards, TOP 4:23
AKRON 7, EMU 10
AKRON - KNIGHT, J. 70 yd punt return (GASSER, Nick kick)
4th Quarter
AKRON 7, EMU 17
EMU - CROSBY, Maxx 2 yd interception (RYLAND, Chad kick)
AKRON 7, EMU 24
EMU - TURNER, Breck 6 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 1 plays, 6 yards, TOP 0:05
AKRON 7, EMU 27
EMU - RYLAND, Chad 41 yd field goal 8 plays, 45 yards, TOP 3:48
Game Leaders
CMP
15
TD
0
YDS
129
INT
0
CMP
1
TD
0
YDS
3
INT
0
Players Mentioned
DB
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DL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
K
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RB
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