Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, September 8
West Lafayette, Ind.
12 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
2-0
20
at
19
Purdue
0-2 , 0-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Eastern Michigan
7
3
0
10
20
Purdue
6
6
0
7
19
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Ryland's 24-Yard Field Goal as Time Expires Pushes EMU Past Purdue, 20-19
9/8/2018 4:18:00 PM | Football
Eastern registered its second victory over a ‘Power 5’ opponent in program history
Photo Gallery.
Game Highlights.
Post Game Audio: Coach Creighton. Tyler_Wiegers. Chad_Ryland. Kyle_Rachwal.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) - Freshman Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) drilled a 24-yard field goal as time expired to give the Eastern Michigan University football team a 20-19 win over Purdue University Saturday, Sept. 8, at Ross-Ade Stadium. With the win, EMU secured its second victory over a 'Power 5' opponent in program history. The win moved the Eagles to 2-0 on the season, and is just the third time they have won back-to-back games to open the season in the past 20 years.
EMU's defensive effort highlighted the day as the Eagles held the Boilermakers to just 17 points, forced three three-and-outs, and only allowed two touchdowns. Eastern's defense also totaled four forced fumbles, tying for fourth-most in a single game in program history and the most since forcing four at Northern Illinois, Oct. 26, 2017. The Green and White was led by senior Kyle Rachwal's (Lapeer, Mich.- Lapeer) game-high 11 tackles (six solo, five assists), including a tackle-for-loss and one of the Eagles' four forced fumbles. Senior Ikie Calderon (Neptune, N.J.- Neptune) marked up the stat sheet with seven tackles (six solo, one assist), one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery which thwarted a Purdue drive in the second half. Junior Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage) made his 2018 season debut with three tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble. With his third-quarter sack, Crosby moved into ninth all-time in the Eastern record books for most career tackles-for-loss (23.5), passing Kevin Harrison (2001-04). Junior Vince Calhoun (Middletown, Ohio-Middletown) added eight tackles, while senior Jaylen Pickett (Zephyrhills, Fla.-Zephryhills) racked up seven tackles, including one for a loss.
In a game that saw only 37 points scored, the passing game was the star of EMU's offensive effort, as graduate transfer Tyler Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich.- Detroit Country Day) threw for 313 yards, the most by an Eastern quarterback since Brogan Roback's 328-yard performance in the Bahamas Bowl, Dec. 23, 2016. Wiegers completed 20-of-28 attempts, including a career-long 75-yard touchdown pass to junior Mathew Sexton (Clinton, Mich.-Clinton). Sexton's TD catch, EMU's longest play of the season, highlighted a career-best 81-yard day. The Wiegers-Sexton connection was also Eastern's longest completion since the 2016 campaign, while it was also the Eagles' third reception of 75-or-more yards since 2010. Senior Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.- Cretin-Derham) and junior Arthur Jackson III (Oakland, Calif.-Wood (American River College)) were Wiegers favorite targets, as each hauled in six receptions. Banham finished with 99 yards receiving, while Jackson III racked up a career-best 84 yards. Freshman Gunnar Oakes (Swanton, Ohio- Swanton) notched 41 yards on four receptions in only his second collegiate outing, including a timely 11-yard pickup on EMU's game-winning drive.
On the ground, senior Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) led the Eagles with seven carries for 44 yards, while junior Breck Turner (Norwalk, Ohio- Norwalk) added 13 yards on three carries including a score.
Purdue's offense was led by senior D.J. Knox, who rushed for 51 yards on eight carries. The Boilermakers split the quarterback efforts between David Blough and Elijah Sindelar, who went a combined 6-of-11 for 108 yards. The Boilermakers' defense was led by a nine tackle, two-and-a-half sack and three tackles-for-loss, performance from Cornel Jones.
After Purdue nailed a 29-yard field goal to go up, 3-0, Eastern Michigan answered on its first play from scrimmage. Wiegers hit Sexton along the EMU sideline for the 75-yard score and Ryland converted the PAT to give the Eagles a 7-3 lead with four minutes to go in the opening period. The Boilermakers were once again forced to settle for a field goal, this time a 34-yard attempt, as the Eagles' defense held steady in the redzone. Purdue's 34-yarder cut Eastern's lead to 7-6 through one quarter of play.
The Boilermakers found the endzone with less than a minute to go in the half, and Eastern quickly responded with a 27-yard FG by Ryland to make the score, 12-10 Purdue, at the break.
The second half did not see a score until seven minutes into the fourth quarter, when Turner ran nine yards into the endzone for the score as EMU regained the lead, 17-12. Turner's first touchdown of the season capped a four-play 44-yard drive for the Eagles. The Boilermakers came back with their own touchdown in just four plays, finishing off with a 45-yard rush from D.J. Knox for the score. As the Eagles got the ball back, Wiegers' first pass was batted at the line and intercepted by Purdue's Kai Higgins, giving the Boilermakers the ball on the Eastern 20 yard line. EMU's defense came up clutch, holding the Boilermakers to a field goal attempt despite the short field. The kick missed wide right, keeping Purdue's 19-17 edge intact.
With the game on the line, the Eagles started their final offensive drive at the Purdue 18-yard line. After two completions from Wiegers to Jackson III and a pass interference call, senior Ian Eriksen (Clinton, Mich.-Clinton) took three straight carries, including a 10-yard gain thanks to a push by EMU's offensive line, to setup the Eagles inside Purdue's 10. The drive set the stage for Ryland's late-game heroics, as the true freshman split the uprights from 24 yards out as time ran out, giving the Eagles a 20-19 victory.
Next Up
The Eagles' three-game road stint continues with a trip to the Empire State as they open up their 2018 #MACtion with a Saturday night game at Buffalo. The game is set to kickoff at 6 p.m., broadcasted on ESPN+ and WEMU 89.1 FM for fans in Ypsilanti.
Game Highlights.
Post Game Audio: Coach Creighton. Tyler_Wiegers. Chad_Ryland. Kyle_Rachwal.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) - Freshman Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) drilled a 24-yard field goal as time expired to give the Eastern Michigan University football team a 20-19 win over Purdue University Saturday, Sept. 8, at Ross-Ade Stadium. With the win, EMU secured its second victory over a 'Power 5' opponent in program history. The win moved the Eagles to 2-0 on the season, and is just the third time they have won back-to-back games to open the season in the past 20 years.
EMU's defensive effort highlighted the day as the Eagles held the Boilermakers to just 17 points, forced three three-and-outs, and only allowed two touchdowns. Eastern's defense also totaled four forced fumbles, tying for fourth-most in a single game in program history and the most since forcing four at Northern Illinois, Oct. 26, 2017. The Green and White was led by senior Kyle Rachwal's (Lapeer, Mich.- Lapeer) game-high 11 tackles (six solo, five assists), including a tackle-for-loss and one of the Eagles' four forced fumbles. Senior Ikie Calderon (Neptune, N.J.- Neptune) marked up the stat sheet with seven tackles (six solo, one assist), one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery which thwarted a Purdue drive in the second half. Junior Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage) made his 2018 season debut with three tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble. With his third-quarter sack, Crosby moved into ninth all-time in the Eastern record books for most career tackles-for-loss (23.5), passing Kevin Harrison (2001-04). Junior Vince Calhoun (Middletown, Ohio-Middletown) added eight tackles, while senior Jaylen Pickett (Zephyrhills, Fla.-Zephryhills) racked up seven tackles, including one for a loss.
In a game that saw only 37 points scored, the passing game was the star of EMU's offensive effort, as graduate transfer Tyler Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich.- Detroit Country Day) threw for 313 yards, the most by an Eastern quarterback since Brogan Roback's 328-yard performance in the Bahamas Bowl, Dec. 23, 2016. Wiegers completed 20-of-28 attempts, including a career-long 75-yard touchdown pass to junior Mathew Sexton (Clinton, Mich.-Clinton). Sexton's TD catch, EMU's longest play of the season, highlighted a career-best 81-yard day. The Wiegers-Sexton connection was also Eastern's longest completion since the 2016 campaign, while it was also the Eagles' third reception of 75-or-more yards since 2010. Senior Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.- Cretin-Derham) and junior Arthur Jackson III (Oakland, Calif.-Wood (American River College)) were Wiegers favorite targets, as each hauled in six receptions. Banham finished with 99 yards receiving, while Jackson III racked up a career-best 84 yards. Freshman Gunnar Oakes (Swanton, Ohio- Swanton) notched 41 yards on four receptions in only his second collegiate outing, including a timely 11-yard pickup on EMU's game-winning drive.
On the ground, senior Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) led the Eagles with seven carries for 44 yards, while junior Breck Turner (Norwalk, Ohio- Norwalk) added 13 yards on three carries including a score.
Purdue's offense was led by senior D.J. Knox, who rushed for 51 yards on eight carries. The Boilermakers split the quarterback efforts between David Blough and Elijah Sindelar, who went a combined 6-of-11 for 108 yards. The Boilermakers' defense was led by a nine tackle, two-and-a-half sack and three tackles-for-loss, performance from Cornel Jones.
After Purdue nailed a 29-yard field goal to go up, 3-0, Eastern Michigan answered on its first play from scrimmage. Wiegers hit Sexton along the EMU sideline for the 75-yard score and Ryland converted the PAT to give the Eagles a 7-3 lead with four minutes to go in the opening period. The Boilermakers were once again forced to settle for a field goal, this time a 34-yard attempt, as the Eagles' defense held steady in the redzone. Purdue's 34-yarder cut Eastern's lead to 7-6 through one quarter of play.
The Boilermakers found the endzone with less than a minute to go in the half, and Eastern quickly responded with a 27-yard FG by Ryland to make the score, 12-10 Purdue, at the break.
The second half did not see a score until seven minutes into the fourth quarter, when Turner ran nine yards into the endzone for the score as EMU regained the lead, 17-12. Turner's first touchdown of the season capped a four-play 44-yard drive for the Eagles. The Boilermakers came back with their own touchdown in just four plays, finishing off with a 45-yard rush from D.J. Knox for the score. As the Eagles got the ball back, Wiegers' first pass was batted at the line and intercepted by Purdue's Kai Higgins, giving the Boilermakers the ball on the Eastern 20 yard line. EMU's defense came up clutch, holding the Boilermakers to a field goal attempt despite the short field. The kick missed wide right, keeping Purdue's 19-17 edge intact.
With the game on the line, the Eagles started their final offensive drive at the Purdue 18-yard line. After two completions from Wiegers to Jackson III and a pass interference call, senior Ian Eriksen (Clinton, Mich.-Clinton) took three straight carries, including a 10-yard gain thanks to a push by EMU's offensive line, to setup the Eagles inside Purdue's 10. The drive set the stage for Ryland's late-game heroics, as the true freshman split the uprights from 24 yards out as time ran out, giving the Eagles a 20-19 victory.
Next Up
The Eagles' three-game road stint continues with a trip to the Empire State as they open up their 2018 #MACtion with a Saturday night game at Buffalo. The game is set to kickoff at 6 p.m., broadcasted on ESPN+ and WEMU 89.1 FM for fans in Ypsilanti.
FULL STEAM AHEAD. 🚂💨
— Eastern Michigan Football (@EMUFB) September 9, 2018
👀 as the Eagles derailed the Boilermakers, 20-19!#FightFocusFinish | #EMUEagles | #FlyTheFlag pic.twitter.com/SDGNpYqyli
- 1Q 11:20 | EMU 0, PU 0 - After a quick first offensive series, the Eagles' defense comes onto the gridiron and makes their presence known. Eastern stops Purdue from gaining a single first down, thanks to Hunter Andrews' series-ending tackle on third and five.
- 1Q 3:53 | EMU 0, PU 0 – Kyle Rachwal's forced fumble on Purdue's David Blough stops the Boilers from continuing their series, bringing up fourth and five in the red zone.
- 1Q 3:40 | EMU 7, PU 3– Sexton puts up the first points on the board for the Eagles with a 75-yard reception from Tyler Wiegers. The 75-yard catch by Mathew Sexton marks the longest reception made in his Eastern Michigan career. Eastern Michigan earns the first touchdown of the game on the one-play scoring drive. The scoring play marks the tenth longest pass play in Eastern Michigan History.
- 2Q 9:14 | EMU 7, PU 6- Ikie Calderon marks his third-career forced fumble on Purdue's Ronalde Moore and the Eagles recover the ball, keeping Purdue from scoring
- 2Q 0:06 | EMU 7, PU 12- With seconds left to go in the half, Blake Banham catches a 28-yard pass from Tyler Wiegers to move the Eagles to the five yard line, thanks to a huge hit from Shaq Vann to clear Banham's path. The play set up an Eagles' field goal attempt, pushing the score to 10-12 at the half.
- 3Q 7:59 |EMU 10, PU 12- Maxx Crosby registers his first sack of the day, stopping Purdue's 29-yard drive down the field. The sack moved Crosby to ninth-all time in Eastern's history books for Tackles-For-Loss in a career.
- 4Q 13:50 | EMU 10, PU 12- The fourth forced-fumble of the day for the Eagles is all Justin Moody, as Ikie Calderon recovers the fumble and gives the ball back to Eastern on its own 37-yard line.
- 4Q 7:56 | EMU 17, PU 12- Eastern Michigan scores only the third touchdown of the game, a seven-yard run from Breck Turner. The score marked the most points Eastern has scored against a Big 10 opponent since 2010, when the Eagles recorded 20 points in a 20-73 loss against Ohio State (OSU vacated the win due to a NCAA penalty).
- 4Q 6:51 | EMU 17, PU 19- Purdue comes back with their own touchdown on a four-play, 64-yard drive, capped off by a 45-yard run from D.J. Knox.
- 4Q 1:34 | EMU 17, PU 19- On fourth down and 15 yards, Arthur Jackson III catches a dagger pass from Tyler Wiegers to keep the Eagles' drive alive with less than two minutes to play in the game.
- 4Q 0:00 | EMU 20, PU 19- Chad Ryland kicks the decisive 24-yard field goal as time runs out, after a 75-yard, 15-play drive down the field, starting from the Eastern 21 yard line.
Team Stats
EMU
PUR
Total Yards
416
476
Pass Yards
347
135
Rushing Yards
69
341
Penalty Yards
71
85
1st Downs
19
19
3rd Downs
3
4
4th Downs
1
0
TOP
29:59
30:01
1st Quarter
EMU 0, PUR 3
PUR - Spencer Evans 29 yd field goal 9 plays, 72 yards, TOP 4:29
EMU 7, PUR 3
EMU - SEXTON, Mathew 75 yd pass from WIEGERS, Tyler (RYLAND, Chad kick) 1 plays, 75 yards, TOP 0:13
EMU 7, PUR 6
PUR - Spencer Evans 34 yd field goal 7 plays, 70 yards, TOP 3:14
2nd Quarter
EMU 7, PUR 12
PUR - Markell Jones 7 yd pass from Elijah Sindelar (Spencer Evans kickfailed) 9 plays, 87 yards, TOP 3:50
EMU 10, PUR 12
EMU - RYLAND, Chad 27 yd field goal 5 plays, 65 yards, TOP 0:56
4th Quarter
EMU 17, PUR 12
EMU - TURNER, Breck 9 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 4 plays, 44 yards, TOP 1:53
EMU 17, PUR 19
PUR - D.J. Knox 45 yd run (Spencer Evans kick), 4 plays, 64 yards, TOP 1:15
EMU 20, PUR 19
EMU - RYLAND, Chad 24 yd field goal 15 plays, 72 yards, TOP 4:51
Game Leaders
CMP
20
TD
1
YDS
312
INT
1
CMP
2
TD
0
YDS
35
INT
0
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