Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU to Play Georgia Southern in Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
12/2/2018 3:35:00 PM | Football
Game set for Saturday, Dec. 15; Tickets on Sale Now
Purchase Tickets.
EMU Bowl Information Page.
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.
Video: Player Reaction. Creighton. Wetherbee.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team will take on Georgia Southern University in the 2018 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., officials of EMU, the bowl, and the Mid-American Conference announced Sunday, Dec. 2. Kickoff for the game will be at 5:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. CT) on ESPN.
Eastern (7-5, 5-3 MAC) will play in a postseason bowl for the second time in the last three seasons and for the fourth time in school history; the Eagles are 1-1 in bowl games since joining the MAC in 1976. This will be EMU's first bowl game played in the continental United States since 1987 when the school was part of the California Bowl.
The Eagles will face a Sun Belt Conference team for the first time in a bowl game. The Raycom Media Camellia Bowl will mark the first meeting between Eastern and Georgia Southern (9-3, 6-2 SBC).
"We are very excited to accept an invitation to play in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl," said EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "This will be our first trip to Montgomery and we are looking forward to a terrific bowl experience against a very fine Georgia Southern team. Playing in our second bowl game in the last three seasons is an excellent reward for our student-athletes, coaches, fans, and everyone who has played a part in the success of our program."
EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton will lead the Eagles into a bowl game for the second time after the Eagles came up short against Old Dominion, 24-20, in the 2016 Bahamas Bowl. Creighton is the first head coach in program history to lead Eastern to two bowl games, while it also marks the first time EMU student-athletes have the opportunity to play in more than one bowl during their careers.
"Eastern Michigan football is so fired up about our invitation to the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl," said Creighton. "Our program has been working incredibly hard to make this possible and we are extremely grateful that the bowl selection committee said our name today!"
Eastern Michigan, which finished tied for second place in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, wrapped up the regular season with a 7-5 record. The Eagles closed out the season strong, winning five straight MAC games for their first winning record in conference play since 1989. Overall, Eastern's 19 wins over the past three years are the most since winning 23 from 1987-89.
"We are excited to have Georgia Southern and Eastern Michigan playing in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl," Johnny Williams, executive director of the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl said. "Both teams have had tremendous seasons. We are looking forward to another outstanding college football game at the historic Cramton Bowl."
The Green and White turned in another stout season on the defensive side of the ball in 2018, as it posted one of the most successful defensive campaigns in program history. EMU's 22.0 points allowed per game tied for the fifth-best mark in school history in the modern era (since 1976), and the best since 1993. Eastern's 352.9 yards of offense allowed was the second-best mark since 1998, as well as the best since 2011. Furthermore, the Eagles intercepted 13 passes, the most since 2007, and forced 24 total turnovers.
On the national scale, the Eagles were one of the top defenses in the country. Eastern currently owns the fourth-best redzone defense in the NCAA, while holding opponents to 160.0 passing yards per game, the fifth-fewest in the nation. EMU ranked 10th in turnover margin, 12th in turnovers gained, 12th in passing efficiency defense, 17th in fumbles recovered, 17th in the nation in fourth down conversion defense, 28th in interceptions, 32nd in scoring defense, and 35th in first-down defense.
Furthermore, Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery's crew proved to be very stingy late in the year, as EMU's defense only allowed one offensive touchdown over the final 12 quarters of the season. Moreover, Eastern is ranked 14th nationally for fewest second-half points allowed at just 8.9 a game.
Offensively, senior quarterback Tyler Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich.-Detroit Country Day-Iowa) led the MAC in completion percentage at 64.8, a clip that ranks 26th nationally. He has shared time with Mike Glass III (St. Louis, Mo.-Hazelwood Central-Southwestern College), who missed four games due to injury, but the two have combined for 23 touchdowns (17 passing, 6 rushing), 2,707 yards passing, and just four interceptions.
The Eagles' 2018 season was highlighted by a 20-19 walk-off victory at Purdue for the program's second consecutive win over a team from the Big Ten Conference.
GSU has won its last two games to finish 9-3 and third in the East Division of the SBC with a 6-2 mark. The Eagles have built a strong reputation as a triple-option team that racked up 260.8 yards per game on the ground. Under the direction of Head Coach Chad Lunsford, GSU has improved its record from the 2017 season (2-10) by seven games.
Tickets for the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl are on sale now through the EMU Athletics Ticket Office for $30 each. Tickets can be ordered online through EMUEagles.com/tickets and beginning Monday, Dec. 3, at 8:30 a.m. by calling 734.487.3669. Any tickets purchased from EMU prior to the end of business on Friday, Dec. 7, will be mailed. After that time, tickets purchased through EMU will be available in Montgomery at times and location to be determined. Click here to order tickets.
Eastern fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets through EMU.
Eastern will also be utilizing a Tickets for Troops program that will allow fans to purchase tickets for the Eagles' Bowl matchup and then donate them to men and women serving in the United State Armed Forces. Tickets for Troops can be added to an existing order or denoted at the time an order is placed. Cost of the ticket is $20.
All tickets purchased will be distributed by EMU Athletics to troops and their families in the area surrounding the bowl site. The Tickets for Troops program includes a game ticket and Eastern Football t-shirt. Fans who are not attending the game, but would still like to participate in the program are encouraged to do so.
Parking is also available for $20 and a $5 processing fee will be added to all tickets (except Tickets for Troops).
This marks the fifth year of the Camellia Bowl which is played in the historic Cramton Bowl. The Cramton Bowl has played host to Major League Baseball, minor league baseball, and plenty of football. The stadium is also formerly the home of the Blue-Gray Football Classic college football game.
Last year, Middle Tennessee State outlasted Arkansas State, 35-30, to win the 2017 Camellia Bowl.
2018 MAC Bowl Schedule:
Eastern Michigan vs. Georgia Southern (Sun Belt), Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, Dec. 15, 5:30 pm ET (ESPN)
Northern Illinois vs. UAB (C-USA), Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Ohio vs. San Diego State (Mountain West), DXL Frisco Bowl, Dec. 19, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Toledo vs. Florida International (C-USA), Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl, Dec. 21, 12:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Western Michigan vs. BYU (Independent), Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Dec. 21, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Buffalo vs. Troy (Sun Belt), Dollar General Bowl, Dec. 22, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
EMU Bowl Information Page.
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.
Video: Player Reaction. Creighton. Wetherbee.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team will take on Georgia Southern University in the 2018 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., officials of EMU, the bowl, and the Mid-American Conference announced Sunday, Dec. 2. Kickoff for the game will be at 5:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. CT) on ESPN.
Eastern (7-5, 5-3 MAC) will play in a postseason bowl for the second time in the last three seasons and for the fourth time in school history; the Eagles are 1-1 in bowl games since joining the MAC in 1976. This will be EMU's first bowl game played in the continental United States since 1987 when the school was part of the California Bowl.
The Eagles will face a Sun Belt Conference team for the first time in a bowl game. The Raycom Media Camellia Bowl will mark the first meeting between Eastern and Georgia Southern (9-3, 6-2 SBC).
"We are very excited to accept an invitation to play in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl," said EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "This will be our first trip to Montgomery and we are looking forward to a terrific bowl experience against a very fine Georgia Southern team. Playing in our second bowl game in the last three seasons is an excellent reward for our student-athletes, coaches, fans, and everyone who has played a part in the success of our program."
EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton will lead the Eagles into a bowl game for the second time after the Eagles came up short against Old Dominion, 24-20, in the 2016 Bahamas Bowl. Creighton is the first head coach in program history to lead Eastern to two bowl games, while it also marks the first time EMU student-athletes have the opportunity to play in more than one bowl during their careers.
"Eastern Michigan football is so fired up about our invitation to the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl," said Creighton. "Our program has been working incredibly hard to make this possible and we are extremely grateful that the bowl selection committee said our name today!"
Eastern Michigan, which finished tied for second place in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, wrapped up the regular season with a 7-5 record. The Eagles closed out the season strong, winning five straight MAC games for their first winning record in conference play since 1989. Overall, Eastern's 19 wins over the past three years are the most since winning 23 from 1987-89.
"We are excited to have Georgia Southern and Eastern Michigan playing in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl," Johnny Williams, executive director of the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl said. "Both teams have had tremendous seasons. We are looking forward to another outstanding college football game at the historic Cramton Bowl."
The Green and White turned in another stout season on the defensive side of the ball in 2018, as it posted one of the most successful defensive campaigns in program history. EMU's 22.0 points allowed per game tied for the fifth-best mark in school history in the modern era (since 1976), and the best since 1993. Eastern's 352.9 yards of offense allowed was the second-best mark since 1998, as well as the best since 2011. Furthermore, the Eagles intercepted 13 passes, the most since 2007, and forced 24 total turnovers.
On the national scale, the Eagles were one of the top defenses in the country. Eastern currently owns the fourth-best redzone defense in the NCAA, while holding opponents to 160.0 passing yards per game, the fifth-fewest in the nation. EMU ranked 10th in turnover margin, 12th in turnovers gained, 12th in passing efficiency defense, 17th in fumbles recovered, 17th in the nation in fourth down conversion defense, 28th in interceptions, 32nd in scoring defense, and 35th in first-down defense.
Furthermore, Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery's crew proved to be very stingy late in the year, as EMU's defense only allowed one offensive touchdown over the final 12 quarters of the season. Moreover, Eastern is ranked 14th nationally for fewest second-half points allowed at just 8.9 a game.
Offensively, senior quarterback Tyler Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich.-Detroit Country Day-Iowa) led the MAC in completion percentage at 64.8, a clip that ranks 26th nationally. He has shared time with Mike Glass III (St. Louis, Mo.-Hazelwood Central-Southwestern College), who missed four games due to injury, but the two have combined for 23 touchdowns (17 passing, 6 rushing), 2,707 yards passing, and just four interceptions.
The Eagles' 2018 season was highlighted by a 20-19 walk-off victory at Purdue for the program's second consecutive win over a team from the Big Ten Conference.
GSU has won its last two games to finish 9-3 and third in the East Division of the SBC with a 6-2 mark. The Eagles have built a strong reputation as a triple-option team that racked up 260.8 yards per game on the ground. Under the direction of Head Coach Chad Lunsford, GSU has improved its record from the 2017 season (2-10) by seven games.
Tickets for the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl are on sale now through the EMU Athletics Ticket Office for $30 each. Tickets can be ordered online through EMUEagles.com/tickets and beginning Monday, Dec. 3, at 8:30 a.m. by calling 734.487.3669. Any tickets purchased from EMU prior to the end of business on Friday, Dec. 7, will be mailed. After that time, tickets purchased through EMU will be available in Montgomery at times and location to be determined. Click here to order tickets.
Eastern fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets through EMU.
Eastern will also be utilizing a Tickets for Troops program that will allow fans to purchase tickets for the Eagles' Bowl matchup and then donate them to men and women serving in the United State Armed Forces. Tickets for Troops can be added to an existing order or denoted at the time an order is placed. Cost of the ticket is $20.
All tickets purchased will be distributed by EMU Athletics to troops and their families in the area surrounding the bowl site. The Tickets for Troops program includes a game ticket and Eastern Football t-shirt. Fans who are not attending the game, but would still like to participate in the program are encouraged to do so.
Parking is also available for $20 and a $5 processing fee will be added to all tickets (except Tickets for Troops).
This marks the fifth year of the Camellia Bowl which is played in the historic Cramton Bowl. The Cramton Bowl has played host to Major League Baseball, minor league baseball, and plenty of football. The stadium is also formerly the home of the Blue-Gray Football Classic college football game.
Last year, Middle Tennessee State outlasted Arkansas State, 35-30, to win the 2017 Camellia Bowl.
2018 MAC Bowl Schedule:
Eastern Michigan vs. Georgia Southern (Sun Belt), Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, Dec. 15, 5:30 pm ET (ESPN)
Northern Illinois vs. UAB (C-USA), Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Ohio vs. San Diego State (Mountain West), DXL Frisco Bowl, Dec. 19, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Toledo vs. Florida International (C-USA), Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl, Dec. 21, 12:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Western Michigan vs. BYU (Independent), Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Dec. 21, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Buffalo vs. Troy (Sun Belt), Dollar General Bowl, Dec. 22, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
QB
/ FootballEMU Football Pregame Press Conference: Week 5 vs. Central Michigan
Monday, September 22
Louisiana: Cinematic Recap
Monday, September 22
⏳ The wait is almost over ⏳
Sunday, September 21
Football Downs Louisiana, 34-31, on Homecoming
Saturday, September 20