Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Steven King/Steve King Studios
Defensive Efforts Lead EMU Past CMU, 17-7
11/3/2018 3:49:00 PM | Football
Season-best defensive totals push Eastern past in-state rival Central
Photo Gallery.
Postgame Audio: Creighton. Crosby. Vann.
Video Highlights.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team returned to its winning ways Saturday, Nov. 3, knocking off in-state rival Central Michigan, 17-7, inside "The Factory" Rynearson Stadium. EMU's stout defense had a season-best showing, holding the CMU offense to just 138 total yards, while forcing four turnovers.
With the win, EMU's record improves to 5-5 (3-3 MAC) on the season, one win away from bowl eligibility for the second time in the past three seasons. The Chippewas fall to 1-9 and 0-6 in Mid-American conference play.
The Eagles' defense shined against the Chips, totaling four sacks, eight tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions on the afternoon. The Green and White were led by the fearsome duo of junior Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage) and senior Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior), who totaled a combined three sacks and five tackles-for-loss. Crosby led the team in both sacks and TFL, recording two sacks and a career-high four tackles-for-loss on the day, in addition to a forced fumble, a quarterback hurry, and a pass breakup. Harris assisted on ten of the Eagles 78 tackles, while also wrangling the quarterback for a sack, forcing a fumble, and knocking down a pass to round out his performance. Junior safety Brody Hoying (Coldwater, Ohio-Coldwater) tallied a career-high two tackles-for-loss, in addition to 10 total tackles and a fumble recovery. Senior Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East) also added a 10-tackle performance.
Eastern's offense was led by a pair of seniors, as running back Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) earned his first 100-yard rushing effort on the season, tallying 114 yards on 13 carries, in addition to his 11 receiving yards and one touchdown. Fellow senior Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Derham Hall), led all EMU receivers with 99 yards on seven receptions, plus another 96 yards in his punt and kickoff return efforts. His 200 all-purpose yards eclipsed Central Michigan's total of 163 yards on the day.
Graduate transfer Tyler Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich.-Detroit Country Day (Iowa)) led the Green and White on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, connecting with freshman Dylan Drummond (Cleveland, Ohio-Cuyahoga Heights) three times on the drive before finding Banham for the go-ahead score. Wiegers finished the game 17-of-25 for 150 yards and a touchdown, while Drummond hauled in four passes for 46 yards.
Central Michigan was led by Tony Poljan, throwing 10-for-27 and one interception, totaling 39 yards. Romello Ross led all Chippewa running backs with 57 yards on 17 attempts. On the defensive side of the ball, LaQuan Johnson recorded a five-tackle, one-sack performance, while also adding 2.5 tackles-for-loss.
After forcing Central Michigan to a three-and-out opening drive, the Eagles offense darted down the field, taking the first march to the endzone. The Green and White earned the first points of the day on a seven-play, 50-yard series, capped off by a 26-yard dash by Vann.
With a seven point advantage and Central driving, the Eagles' one-two punch of Crosby and Harris took over the game, as Crosby forced a fumble and Harris recovered the loose ball. As the ensuing Eastern drive stalled in the red zone, freshman kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) sealed the game with a 25-yard boot.
As the Chips drove down the gridiron with just two minutes left in the matchup, junior Vince Calhoun (Middletown, Ohio-Middletown) nabbed CMU's long pass attempt for the Eagles' second interception of the day, ending any attempt at a CMU comeback.
Eastern Michigan will look to become bowl-eligible and close out the home portion of its 2018 campaign against the University of Akron Saturday, Nov. 10. The divisional crossover tilt with the Zips will serve also serve as the Eagles' Senior Day, with kickoff on the gray turf of Rynearson Stadium set for 12 p.m.
EMU will celebrate the team's 18 seniors prior to game, including: Ka'John Armstrong (Detroit, Mich.-Loyola), Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Derham Hall), Chris Bukoski (Dewitt, Mich.-Dewitt), Ikie Calderon (Neptune, N.J.-Neptune-College of the Desert), Ian Eriksen (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston), Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior), Lemar Harris (Raleigh, N.C.-Millbrook), Jeremy Hickey (Troy, Mich.-Brother Rice), Jesse Kelly (Ventura, Calif.-St. Bonaventure-Oregon-Ventura College), Tyler LaBarbera (Elk Grove Village, Ill.-James B. Conant-DuPage), Jimmy Leatiota (San Jose, Calif.-Wilcox-College of San Mateo), Justin Moody (Richmond, Va.-Monacan), Jaylen Pickett (Zephyrhills, Fla.-Zephyrhills), Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East), Dakota Tallman (LaGrange, Ohio-Elyria Catholic), Ville Valasti (Helsinki, Finland-Itakeskuksen Iukio-Diablo Valley College), Tyler Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich.-Detroit Country Day-Iowa), and Ross Williams (Southfield, Mich.-Groves).
Postgame Audio: Creighton. Crosby. Vann.
Video Highlights.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team returned to its winning ways Saturday, Nov. 3, knocking off in-state rival Central Michigan, 17-7, inside "The Factory" Rynearson Stadium. EMU's stout defense had a season-best showing, holding the CMU offense to just 138 total yards, while forcing four turnovers.
With the win, EMU's record improves to 5-5 (3-3 MAC) on the season, one win away from bowl eligibility for the second time in the past three seasons. The Chippewas fall to 1-9 and 0-6 in Mid-American conference play.
The Eagles' defense shined against the Chips, totaling four sacks, eight tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions on the afternoon. The Green and White were led by the fearsome duo of junior Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage) and senior Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior), who totaled a combined three sacks and five tackles-for-loss. Crosby led the team in both sacks and TFL, recording two sacks and a career-high four tackles-for-loss on the day, in addition to a forced fumble, a quarterback hurry, and a pass breakup. Harris assisted on ten of the Eagles 78 tackles, while also wrangling the quarterback for a sack, forcing a fumble, and knocking down a pass to round out his performance. Junior safety Brody Hoying (Coldwater, Ohio-Coldwater) tallied a career-high two tackles-for-loss, in addition to 10 total tackles and a fumble recovery. Senior Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East) also added a 10-tackle performance.
Eastern's offense was led by a pair of seniors, as running back Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) earned his first 100-yard rushing effort on the season, tallying 114 yards on 13 carries, in addition to his 11 receiving yards and one touchdown. Fellow senior Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Derham Hall), led all EMU receivers with 99 yards on seven receptions, plus another 96 yards in his punt and kickoff return efforts. His 200 all-purpose yards eclipsed Central Michigan's total of 163 yards on the day.
Graduate transfer Tyler Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich.-Detroit Country Day (Iowa)) led the Green and White on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, connecting with freshman Dylan Drummond (Cleveland, Ohio-Cuyahoga Heights) three times on the drive before finding Banham for the go-ahead score. Wiegers finished the game 17-of-25 for 150 yards and a touchdown, while Drummond hauled in four passes for 46 yards.
Central Michigan was led by Tony Poljan, throwing 10-for-27 and one interception, totaling 39 yards. Romello Ross led all Chippewa running backs with 57 yards on 17 attempts. On the defensive side of the ball, LaQuan Johnson recorded a five-tackle, one-sack performance, while also adding 2.5 tackles-for-loss.
After forcing Central Michigan to a three-and-out opening drive, the Eagles offense darted down the field, taking the first march to the endzone. The Green and White earned the first points of the day on a seven-play, 50-yard series, capped off by a 26-yard dash by Vann.
With a seven point advantage and Central driving, the Eagles' one-two punch of Crosby and Harris took over the game, as Crosby forced a fumble and Harris recovered the loose ball. As the ensuing Eastern drive stalled in the red zone, freshman kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) sealed the game with a 25-yard boot.
As the Chips drove down the gridiron with just two minutes left in the matchup, junior Vince Calhoun (Middletown, Ohio-Middletown) nabbed CMU's long pass attempt for the Eagles' second interception of the day, ending any attempt at a CMU comeback.
Eastern Michigan will look to become bowl-eligible and close out the home portion of its 2018 campaign against the University of Akron Saturday, Nov. 10. The divisional crossover tilt with the Zips will serve also serve as the Eagles' Senior Day, with kickoff on the gray turf of Rynearson Stadium set for 12 p.m.
EMU will celebrate the team's 18 seniors prior to game, including: Ka'John Armstrong (Detroit, Mich.-Loyola), Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Derham Hall), Chris Bukoski (Dewitt, Mich.-Dewitt), Ikie Calderon (Neptune, N.J.-Neptune-College of the Desert), Ian Eriksen (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston), Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior), Lemar Harris (Raleigh, N.C.-Millbrook), Jeremy Hickey (Troy, Mich.-Brother Rice), Jesse Kelly (Ventura, Calif.-St. Bonaventure-Oregon-Ventura College), Tyler LaBarbera (Elk Grove Village, Ill.-James B. Conant-DuPage), Jimmy Leatiota (San Jose, Calif.-Wilcox-College of San Mateo), Justin Moody (Richmond, Va.-Monacan), Jaylen Pickett (Zephyrhills, Fla.-Zephyrhills), Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East), Dakota Tallman (LaGrange, Ohio-Elyria Catholic), Ville Valasti (Helsinki, Finland-Itakeskuksen Iukio-Diablo Valley College), Tyler Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich.-Detroit Country Day-Iowa), and Ross Williams (Southfield, Mich.-Groves).
Team Stats
CMU
EMU
Total Yards
138
349
Pass Yards
61
212
Rushing Yards
77
137
Penalty Yards
61
81
1st Downs
10
18
3rd Downs
6
8
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
24:46
35:14
1st Quarter

CMU 0, EMU 7
EMU - VANN, Shaq 26 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 4 plays, 88 yards, TOP 1:46
2nd Quarter

CMU 7, EMU 7
CMU - DANNA, Mike 68 yd fumble recovery (TICE, Ryan kick)
4th Quarter

CMU 7, EMU 14
EMU - BANHAM, Blake 7 yd pass from WIEGERS, Tyler (RYLAND, Chad kick) 9 plays, 70 yards, TOP 4:45

CMU 7, EMU 17
EMU - RYLAND, Chad 26 yd field goal 4 plays, 0 yards, TOP 1:28
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