Eastern Michigan Athletics
Football Dominates Akron for Fifth Win of the Season
11/12/2019 9:39:00 PM | Football
EMU tallied six rushing touchdowns for the first time since 2008
Video Recap.
Postgame Audio: Chris_Creighton. Shaq_Vann.
AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team was on the field for a "Midweek #MACtion," contest against Mid-American Conference East Division rival, the University of Akron, tonight, Nov. 12. While temperatures were well below freezing, the action on the field was hot, as EMU exploded for 498 yards of offense and six rushing touchdowns in its 42-14 win.
Eastern (5-5, 2-4 MAC) dominated every aspect of the game en route to its fourth-ever win in the Rubber City. Offensively, the Eagles were extremely efficient, racking up 42 points, 6.0 yards per rush, and six total touchdowns (each rushing), all season-bests. The last time EMU tallied six scores on the ground in a single-game was against Indiana State University in the 2008 season opener, Aug. 28. Furthermore, with the win, the Eagles need just one more victory to become bowl eligible for the third time in the last four seasons, an accomplishment that has never been achieved at EMU.
Senior quarterback Mike Glass III (St. Louis, Mo.-Hazelwood Central (Southwestern) completed 20-of-25 passing attempts (80%), for 246 yards in the air, while senior running back Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) turned in his best-ever performance, using 28 rushing attempts to compile 142 yards on the ground and four rushing TDs. With his fourth rushing scores, Vann became the first Eagle to rush for four touchdowns since the 2012 season, when Bronson Hill hit that number against Toledo, Oct. 13.
Defensively, EMU held Akron (0-10, 0-6 MAC) to just 54 yards on the ground, keeping the Zips off the board until the third quarter of the game. Senior Kobie Beltram (Antioch, Calif.-Antioch (San Francisco C.C.) led the way with 11 total tackles and a sack, while junior defensive back Freddie McGee (Canton, Mich.-Salem) added five stops, tying his season-best.
After winning the toss and electing to defer to the second half, EMU's defense faced an early fourth down test. Looking for its first touchdown since Sept. 28, Akron attempted to convert a fourth-and-five, but was met by sophomore defensive lineman CJ Hunt (Avon, Ind.-Avon) before the line-to-gain.
Forced to punt on its first offensive possession, the EMU scoring unit found its stride in its second stint with the pigskin. Needing just two minutes to march his squad 63 yards, senior Glass completed three consecutive passes before rushing the ball down to the Akron six-yard line. The drive was capped on the next play, when Vann pushed forward for a six-yard score. A Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) extra point gave EMU a seven point advantage, 7-0, with 0:36 left in the game's opening quarter.
Eastern was balanced again in its next offensive possession, this time producing a seven play, 79-yard drive that was capped by another Vann touchdown. Senior wide out Mathew Sexton (Clinton, Mich.-Clinton) recorded three receptions, for 35 yards, during the series.
After forcing consecutive three-and-outs, the EMU defense again helped to position Glass and the offense for success. With the ball, and with 9:44 left on the clock, Eastern put together a 10-play drive, moving the ball 57 yards over a 5:29 span. On the five-yard line, the ball went to Vann, who blasted through the Zips' defensive line for his third TD of the half. Ryland made it a 21-point lead, 21-0, with the extra point make. With his score, Vann became the first Eagle to score three rushing touchdowns in a single game since Ian Eriksen did so at Kent State, Nov. 23, 2018.
Neal Neathery's unit held Akron scoreless once more before the break. The defensive unit's first half shutout was its first since Nov. 16, 2016, when it held Northern Illinois scoreless in the first two frames.
The Eagle offense stayed hot in the second half. With the ball to begin the third quarter, EMU put together a 75 yard drive, which included a 3-of-4 passing mark from Glass, and 56 combined rushing yards. Again finding success on the ground, the drive ended with an 11-yard rushing touchdown, this time by junior running back Willie Parker (Tampa, Fla.- Carrollwood Day School), giving EMU its first four-TD game on the ground since its 2018 win over Kent State, Nov. 23.
Up 28-0 and following Akron's three-play, negative 20-yard series on offense, Glass decided to join the run-game fun. After a 41-yard strike to Sexton, and three consecutive rushes by Vann put the ball at the Akron one-yard line, Glass used his legs to provide Eastern's fifth rushing score, putting EMU up, 34-0. Ryland chipped another one-pointer to make it a 35-0 affair.
Akron got on the board for the first time in the third quarter when quarterback Nelson Kato found wide out Timothy Scippo on an 87-yard touchdown strike. Although the shutout ended, the EMU defense stayed locked-in. With 10:29 remaining in the game, senior defensive back Brody Hoying (Coldwater, Ohio.-Coldwater), registered his second interception of the season, his first since a week-one win over Coastal Carolina, Aug. 31.
With three touchdowns already, Vann added another, this time busting a 17-yard run to put EMU ahead, 41-7.
Although Akron added a late touchdown, EMU capped a dominating night with the win, 42-14.
Eastern is back in action for another nationally televised, "Midweek #MACtion," game, when it treks to Northern Illinois, Tuesday, Nov. 19. The game is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET, and will on ESPN2 or ESPNU. For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU Football, including TV scheduling, visit EMUEagles.com, or follow the team on social media, at @EMUFB.
Team Stats

EMU 7, AKRON 0
EMU - VANN, Shaq 6 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 5 plays, 63 yards, TOP 1:50

EMU 14, AKRON 0
EMU - VANN, Shaq 19 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 7 plays, 79 yards, TOP 3:34

EMU 21, AKRON 0
EMU - VANN, Shaq 5 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 10 plays, 57 yards, TOP 5:27

EMU 28, AKRON 0
EMU - PARKER, Willie 11 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:09

EMU 35, AKRON 0
EMU - GLASS, Mike 1 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 5 plays, 48 yards, TOP 2:26

EMU 35, AKRON 7
AKRON - SCIPPIO,T. 87 yd pass from NELSON,KATO (SMIGEL,CORY kick) 1 plays, 87 yards, TOP 0:11

EMU 42, AKRON 7
EMU - VANN, Shaq 17 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 9 plays, 98 yards, TOP 5:28

EMU 42, AKRON 14
AKRON - HICKS,JULIAN 1 yd pass from NELSON,KATO (SMIGEL,CORY kick) 10 plays, 77 yards, TOP 3:44
















