Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, September 29
Rynearson Stadium
6 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
2-3 , 0-2
23
vs
26
Northern Illinois
2-3 , 2-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
OT
OT
OT
F
Northern Illinois
3
10
0
0
7
0
6
26
Eastern Michigan
10
0
0
3
7
0
3
23
Eagles Edged by Huskies, 26-23, in Triple Overtime
9/29/2018 10:32:00 PM | Football
Career efforts from EMU defense not enough to stop Northern Illinois
Photo Gallery
Video Highlights.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team was bested in triple overtime by Northern Illinois University, 26-23, Saturday, Sept. 29, in Mid-American Conference action at Rynearson Stadium. After tallying a field goal in their third OT attempt, the Eagles were unable to stop the Huskies, who punched in a one-yard run to seal the victory.
In true #MACtion, the meeting on the gridiron went into overtime for the third-straight matchup between the Huskies and Eagles. Each team marked scores in the first overtime period, but as the Huskies took the ball on their second series, Jaylen Pickett (Zephryhills, Fla.-Zephyrhills) forced a fumble and Kevin McGill (Waldolf, Md.-Westlake) recovered to set up an EMU possession. Unfortunately, Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.- Cedar Crest)'s field goal attempt sailed wide, pushing EMU into triple overtime for the first time since 2004.
The third overtime period decided the matchup, as Eastern was forced to kick a field goal after being stuffed on third-and-five. With the win in their reach, Northern Illinois took the field and and stole the road win with a one-yard rush that capped a seven-play drive.
EMU's offense came alive in the final minutes of the game after being silenced for more than 51 minutes of regulation. Tyler Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich.-Detroit Country Day (Iowa)) stepped onto the field with just 2:21 left in the game for his best offensive series, driving the Eagles 60 yards to set up Ryland's field goal make with three seconds remaining in regulation. His favorite target, Arthur Jackson III (Oakland, Calif.-Wood), started the Eagles' momentum down the gridiron, grabbing a 13-yard dart on the first play of the drive. Jackson III ended the game with five receptions for 56 yards, followed by fellow Californian, junior Line Latu (San Mateo, Calif.- San Mateo (College of San Mateo)), who had 36 yards on five catches.
EMU's ground attack was led by senior Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.- John Adams), adding 68 yards on 18 carries. Fellow senior Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Derham) added 16 yards rushing to the Eagles offensive performance.
Defense defined the game for the Eagles, as EMU held NIU to just 92 total passing yards and marked its first multi-interception game of the season. Both Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.- Lapeer East) and Freddie McGee III (Canton, Mich.- Salem) picked up interceptions for the Eagles. Rachwal's interception added to his stunning career-best defensive performance, marking up the stat book with 16 tackles (five solo, 11 assisted), two tackles-for-a-loss, a sack, and an interception. The defensive effort was aided by seniors Vince Calhoun (Middletown, Ohio-Middletown) and Ross Williams (Birmingham, Mich.-Groves), logging 12 and nine tackles, respectively. Pickett recorded his own career-best effort as well, adding 12 tackles and a forced fumble to Eastern Michigan's stat line.
The Eagles started off their return to "The Factory" strong, racking up an early 10-0 lead in the first quarter. McGee disrupted the Huskies' offense early, grabbing Marcus Childers' pass for his first career interception in the Green and White. McGee's 23-yard return set up EMU's offense for its first scoring drive of the day, as Ryland added three to the board with a 29-yard boot.
After forcing NIU to punt on its next offensive series, EMU took just six plays to score their first touchdown of the day, capped off by quarterback Tyler 34-yard dart to Line Latu for the score.
The Huskies quieted the Eagles' offense in the second quarter and scored ten straight points to take a 13-10 lead into halftime. Marcus Childers marked a 13-for-22 (88 yards) first-half performance, and NIU added its points to the board with a rushing touchdown from Marcus Jones and a 26-yard field goal make from Andrew Gantz.
EMU's second-half defense came out in its usual style, shutting out its opponent in the third quarter for the fourth-straight game. Rachwal led the busy third quarter, adding seven tackles and a share of a tackle-for-loss in the period, as the team allowed just 43 total yards to NIU in the quarter. Eastern kept Northern Illinois from scoring throughout the third and fourth quarters, allowing a total of just 70 offensive yards in the last 30 minutes of the matchup, marking the least-yards allowed by the Eagles defense in the second half (not including OT) this season.
Eastern Michigan continues MAC play Saturday, Oct 6, back on the road at Western Michigan University. Kickoff is set for noon.
Video Highlights.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team was bested in triple overtime by Northern Illinois University, 26-23, Saturday, Sept. 29, in Mid-American Conference action at Rynearson Stadium. After tallying a field goal in their third OT attempt, the Eagles were unable to stop the Huskies, who punched in a one-yard run to seal the victory.
In true #MACtion, the meeting on the gridiron went into overtime for the third-straight matchup between the Huskies and Eagles. Each team marked scores in the first overtime period, but as the Huskies took the ball on their second series, Jaylen Pickett (Zephryhills, Fla.-Zephyrhills) forced a fumble and Kevin McGill (Waldolf, Md.-Westlake) recovered to set up an EMU possession. Unfortunately, Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.- Cedar Crest)'s field goal attempt sailed wide, pushing EMU into triple overtime for the first time since 2004.
The third overtime period decided the matchup, as Eastern was forced to kick a field goal after being stuffed on third-and-five. With the win in their reach, Northern Illinois took the field and and stole the road win with a one-yard rush that capped a seven-play drive.
EMU's offense came alive in the final minutes of the game after being silenced for more than 51 minutes of regulation. Tyler Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich.-Detroit Country Day (Iowa)) stepped onto the field with just 2:21 left in the game for his best offensive series, driving the Eagles 60 yards to set up Ryland's field goal make with three seconds remaining in regulation. His favorite target, Arthur Jackson III (Oakland, Calif.-Wood), started the Eagles' momentum down the gridiron, grabbing a 13-yard dart on the first play of the drive. Jackson III ended the game with five receptions for 56 yards, followed by fellow Californian, junior Line Latu (San Mateo, Calif.- San Mateo (College of San Mateo)), who had 36 yards on five catches.
EMU's ground attack was led by senior Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.- John Adams), adding 68 yards on 18 carries. Fellow senior Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Derham) added 16 yards rushing to the Eagles offensive performance.
Defense defined the game for the Eagles, as EMU held NIU to just 92 total passing yards and marked its first multi-interception game of the season. Both Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.- Lapeer East) and Freddie McGee III (Canton, Mich.- Salem) picked up interceptions for the Eagles. Rachwal's interception added to his stunning career-best defensive performance, marking up the stat book with 16 tackles (five solo, 11 assisted), two tackles-for-a-loss, a sack, and an interception. The defensive effort was aided by seniors Vince Calhoun (Middletown, Ohio-Middletown) and Ross Williams (Birmingham, Mich.-Groves), logging 12 and nine tackles, respectively. Pickett recorded his own career-best effort as well, adding 12 tackles and a forced fumble to Eastern Michigan's stat line.
The Eagles started off their return to "The Factory" strong, racking up an early 10-0 lead in the first quarter. McGee disrupted the Huskies' offense early, grabbing Marcus Childers' pass for his first career interception in the Green and White. McGee's 23-yard return set up EMU's offense for its first scoring drive of the day, as Ryland added three to the board with a 29-yard boot.
After forcing NIU to punt on its next offensive series, EMU took just six plays to score their first touchdown of the day, capped off by quarterback Tyler 34-yard dart to Line Latu for the score.
The Huskies quieted the Eagles' offense in the second quarter and scored ten straight points to take a 13-10 lead into halftime. Marcus Childers marked a 13-for-22 (88 yards) first-half performance, and NIU added its points to the board with a rushing touchdown from Marcus Jones and a 26-yard field goal make from Andrew Gantz.
EMU's second-half defense came out in its usual style, shutting out its opponent in the third quarter for the fourth-straight game. Rachwal led the busy third quarter, adding seven tackles and a share of a tackle-for-loss in the period, as the team allowed just 43 total yards to NIU in the quarter. Eastern kept Northern Illinois from scoring throughout the third and fourth quarters, allowing a total of just 70 offensive yards in the last 30 minutes of the matchup, marking the least-yards allowed by the Eagles defense in the second half (not including OT) this season.
Eastern Michigan continues MAC play Saturday, Oct 6, back on the road at Western Michigan University. Kickoff is set for noon.
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Team Stats
NIU
EMU
Total Yards
356
242
Pass Yards
121
180
Rushing Yards
235
62
Penalty Yards
68
85
1st Downs
24
16
3rd Downs
11
3
4th Downs
1
1
TOP
33:32
26:28
1st Quarter
NIU 0, EMU 3
EMU - RYLAND, Chad 29 yd field goal 5 plays, 16 yards, TOP 1:16
NIU 0, EMU 10
EMU - LATU, Line 34 yd pass from WIEGERS, Tyler (RYLAND, Chad kick) 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:57
NIU 3, EMU 10
NIU - GANTZ, Andrew 43 yd field goal 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 1:47
2nd Quarter
NIU 10, EMU 10
NIU - JONES, Marcus 2 yd run (GANTZ, Andrew kick), 14 plays, 56 yards, TOP 5:44
NIU 13, EMU 10
NIU - GANTZ, Andrew 26 yd field goal 10 plays, 67 yards, TOP 3:03
4th Quarter
NIU 13, EMU 13
EMU - RYLAND, Chad 28 yd field goal 13 plays, 60 yards, TOP 2:18
OT Quarter
NIU 13, EMU 20
EMU - VANN, Shaq 14 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 2 plays, 25 yards, TOP 0:00
NIU 20, EMU 20
NIU - HARMSTON, Ty 11 yd pass from CHILDERS, Marcu (GANTZ, Andrew kick) 5 plays, 25 yards, TOP 0:00
NIU 20, EMU 23
EMU - RYLAND, Chad 42 yd field goal 4 plays, 0 yards, TOP 0:00
NIU 26, EMU 23
NIU - HARBISON, Tre 1 yd run (), 7 plays, 25 yards, TOP 0:00
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
17
TD
1
YDS
180
INT
0
Players Mentioned
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LB
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