EMU Set to Clock-In at Home for the First Time in 2020 Against Toledo

Football vs. Toledo
Date	Wednesday, Nov. 18 \| 7 p.m. ET
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Rynearson Stadium
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Media Guide \| Press Conference Video \| Virtual Game Program
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	CBS Sports Network \| CBSSN Channel Finder
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| TuneIn Radio \| Podcast
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Attendance Information	No general public attendance will be allowed

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – After two weeks on the road, the Eastern Michigan University football team kicks off the home portion of its 2020 schedule Wednesday, Nov. 18, against the University of Toledo. The game is set for 7 p.m. inside "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium.
    EMU (0-2; 0-2 MAC) will look to avenge its last-second, 38-31, setback at Ball State, Nov. 11. Meanwhile, Toledo (1-1; 1-1 MAC) looks to rebound after finishing on the wrong side of a historic finish at Western Michigan on the same day. In that game, WMU became just the second Football Bowl Subdivision team in the last 25 seasons to win a game after trailing by double digits with less than one minute remaining in the game.
    The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network with Rich Waltz providing the play-by-play and Aaron Murray serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) will also air the game with Matt Shepard, Rob Rubick, and Tom Helmer on the call.

CLOCKING IN AT HOME: Eastern will finally see action on its home field Wednesday, Nov. 18, when Chris Creighton and company welcome MAC West rival Toledo to Rynearson Stadium. EMU is the only team in the conference that opened its season with two road games. EMU is 77-45-5 (.623) all-time in its home-openers and has a record of 5-1 under Creighton in those games.

HOT IN HOME OPENERS: Eastern has been all but perfect in its six home openers during the Chris Creighton era, claiming victory in five. The Eagles have outscored their opponents, 234-133, in the six games, and have won by more than 30 twice. Most recently, EMU bested Central Connecticut State, 34-29, to begin the 2019 campaign at Rynearson Stadium, Sept. 21.

KEEPING GOOD COMPANY: First-year starting quarterback, junior Preston Hutchinson put on an impressive offensive show against Ball State, Nov. 11. Most notably, Hutchinson led the Eagles' rushing attack with a career-best 104 yards in 17 attempts. With that performance, Hutchinson became the first EMU quarterback to go for 100-or-more yards on the ground since Mike Glass III did so against Toledo (125 yards), Oct. 13, 2018. His three rushing touchdowns are the most by an EMU quarterback in a single game since the 2014 season, when Reginald Bell III ran for three scores against Buffalo in week six of that season.

WHAT'S THE FAN SITUATION: In accordance with Mid-American Conference guidelines, Rynearson Stadium will not be opening its gates for general admittance fans on Nov. 18. Family members of players and staff from both EMU and Toledo will be allowed at the game following screening procedures. Proper social distancing measures will be enforced. Additionally, the EMU cheer and dance teams, along with the Pride of the Peninsula (Eastern's marching band), will be present at the game.

CONTINUING TO FLUSH IT: For the past three seasons, Eastern Michigan's motto has been to go 1-0 each week while "flushing" the previous outcome. The short term memory has proven beneficial for the program, with 32 of the last 52 (62%) contests decided by seven points-or-less.
    Of those contests, eight have been decided in overtime with 19 coming down to the final play.

ANOTHER 100-YARD GAME: One week after junior Hassan Beydoun recorded a 112-yard receiving game at Kent State, Nov. 4, sophomore Tanner Knue registered a 121-yard performance of his own at Ball State, Nov. 11. The total yardage is not only the best by an EMU pass catcher this season, but is also a personal best for the Mason, Ohio native.
   The 128th such performance in EMU football history, Knue's effort also gives Eastern three consecutive games with a 100-yard receiving performance. That streak, which dates back to the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl, is the best for the Green and White since the 2005 season, when Eric Deslauriers recorded three consecutive games of the sort between Nov. 5-19.

EVANS EATS IN DEBUT: Sophomore running back Samson Evans was impressive for the Green and White in his debut game against Ball State, Nov. 11. The Iowa transfer got 14 carries in the game, second behind quarterback Preston Hutchinson, and ran for 63 total yards. That number was the best of any EMU back in the game, and is the second-best rushing total by an EMU running back this season (Darius Boone Jr. – 68 at Kent State, Nov. 4).

KEEP ON KNUE-ING: Sophomore Tanner Knue had a career-best four receptions for 45 yards at Kent State, Nov. 4. He better than doubled that performance against Ball State, Nov. 11, as he collected eight receptions and amassed 121 yards, both of which are career-highs.

20 GO FOR TWO (OR MORE): A staple of Neal Neathery's defense is the "next man up," mentality. That mindset was on display in full force against Ball State, Nov. 11. Twenty different Eagles recorded two-or-more tackles in the game, with eight of those players registering five-or-more stops. By contrast, Ball State had just 12 players with multiple tackles in the contest, and just four that had five-plus tackles.
   A similar trend occurred in EMU's week one matchup with Kent State, Nov. 4. In that contest, 19 Eagles had two-plus tackles, as opposed to just 11 Golden Flashes' players who recorded multi-stop games.

GOOD MERRITT: Freshman defensive lineman Alex Merritt has big shoes to fill if he hopes to be as dominant as the last Eagle to wear his newly-fashioned No. 92, Maxx Crosby. Although he may not be playing at the level of a fourth-round NFL draft pick just yet, he did put together an incredible game at Ball State, Nov. 11. The Queen City-product recorded six tackles (5 solo, 1 assist), one tackle for loss (10 yards), one sack, and also picked up a fumble recovery. Those numbers are all personal-bests.

TEN TACKLE TERRY: Senior linebacker Terry Myrick continued his hot start to the season in Eastern's second week matchup at Ball State, Nov. 11. The Atlanta-based run-stuffer recorded 10 stops for the second straight game, which led EMU in that category. Myrick's 10.0 tackle per game average ranks fourth in the Mid-American Conference and 21st nationally.

FIRE THE CANNON: Senior tight end Bryson Cannon had a career-best performance against the Ball State Cardinals on Nov. 11. The second-year Eagle had personal bests in receptions (5) and yards (76), and also hauled in a career-long 37 yard grab. His first game of the season for the Green and White, he wasted no time making impactful plays, one of which, a 10-yard, one-handed, diving catch, went for a touchdown. Cannon now has five multiple-reception games since his arrival in Ypsilanti, which ties junior Gunnar Oakes for the most of any such games for a tight end on the EMU roster.

FIRST-HALF FIREPOWER: After scoring just nine first-half points against Kent State, Nov. 4, junior Preston Hutchinson and company put together an incredible open against Ball State, Nov. 11. Although a large contingent of Eagles had impressive first-half performances, it was Hutchinson who stole the show. The first-year starter finished with a 9-for-13 passing mark, amassing 121 yards through the air. On the ground, Hutchinson kept it a team-leading eight times for 77 yards. The 77-yard first-half rushing performance is the best of any EMU player this season. Additionally, senior tight end Bryson Cannon recorded each of his career-best five catches in the half.

BACK-TO-BACK PICKS: Senior defensive back Alvinoski LaFleur is off to an impressive start during the 2020 campaign. After recording an interception and 43-yard return against Kent State, Nov. 4, the Lake Charles, La. native again came up with a pick in EMU's week two matchup at Ball State, Nov. 11. His third-career interception, LaFleur's turnover against BSU was also the longest of his career, as he took it 54 yards into Cardinal territory.
   LaFleur's interceptions in back-to-back contests marks the first time that accomplishment has been recorded by an Eagle since Brody Hoying notched three picks in two weeks against NIU, and Kent State, respectively (weeks 11&12), in 2019.
   LaFleur leads all Mid-American Conference defenders with his two interceptions, and is tied for first nationally in interceptions per game. He is one of just 10 FBS players in the country with a 1.0 average in that category.

KEEPING IT CLOSE: Last season, EMU was one of just 10 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams to have played in at least seven one-score games in the regular season, finishing only behind North Carolina (9), Miami (Fla.) (8), and Pittsburgh (8) in that category. The Eagles seem to be picking up right where they left off a season ago, as each of EMU's first two games in 2020 have finished within that margin (Kent State - 4 points, Ball State - 7 points).

MADE FOR TV: If one thing is for certain, it's that television producers love when EMU hits the airwaves on their network, because it's almost always guaranteed to be a good show. Since Chris Creighton arrived in 2015, the Eagles have played 75 total games, 35 of which have finished as one-score contests (46.67%). EMU has lost 21 of those 35 contests, however, including seven in overtime. A total of 18 of those games have been within three points.
   If those numbers are not enough, consider that last season, four of EMU's wins were decided on the final drive of the game – interception (Coastal Carolina), walk-off field goal (Illinois), blocked punt (Central Connecticut), and punt (Western Michigan). Furthermore, three of EMU's setbacks in 2019 were decided on the final drive with EMU possessing the ball in the opponent's redzone.
   In two games this year, EMU has already been part of a heart-pumping finish, as Ball State was able to go ahead with just six seconds on the clock in its Nov. 11 win over the Eagles, 38-31.

EMU ON THE NATIONAL LEADERBOARDS: EMU has notched itself onto the national and conference leaderboards in a slew of individual and team-based categories. Most notably, EMU is one of the most disciplined teams in the country, where it ranks inside the top-10 in fewest penalties (7), penalties per game (3.5), and fewest penalty yards (78). Individually, defensive stars Turan Rush and Alvinoski LaFleur are tied for first nationally in sacks per game (1.5) and interceptions per game (1.0), respectively.

THE TRANSITION PAYS OFF: One of the hardest things for a college football player to accomplish is a successful position change, especially when moving from under center. That transition is one that sophomore tight end Aaron Jackson was asked to make in the offseason, and one that paid off in EMU's week two matchup at Ball State, Nov. 11. The Detroit, Mich. native and former quarterback hauled in his first-career reception, and eight-yard grab, that helped EMU get into position to score. With tight ends recording nearly 30 percent of all receptions by the EMU offense this season (11-of-38), expect to see more of Jackson in the team's remaining four contests.

RYLAND HITS FROM DEEP: Junior kicker Chad Ryland matched a career-best kick when he drilled a 52-yard field goal against Ball State, Nov. 11. The third 52-yarder of his career, Ryland has now hit four from 50+ in this, his third season, with the Green and White. The kick is the longest by any MAC student-athlete this season. Ryland's effort was three yards short of Dylan Mulder's 55-yard make from 2015, which is EMU's longest all-time field goal make. Despite being just short of the all-time distance record, Ryland is now the only player in Eastern Michigan history with four makes from better-than 50 yards.
   With his five extra-point attempts in 2020, Ryland has also moved into the No. 5 spot for all-time.

FIRST-TIME PLAYERS: Each year, teams across the country are able to debut new talent that has emerged. That was no different for Eastern Michigan in its week one matchup at Kent State, Nov. 4. Fourteen Eagles made their first-ever appearance in the Green and White during the contest, including six defensive players, seven offensive players, and one special teams player. Nine of the first-time players are newcomers on the 2020 roster, while five participants have been on the team for at least one season.
   An additional four players saw first-time action against Ball State, Nov. 11, including first-time starter, sophomore Samson Evans, who began the game at running back for EMU. Three additional players contributed off the bench.

2019 HOME OPENER - A LOOK BACK: In one of the most thrilling games in Rynearson Stadium history, EMU was able to pull out a dramatic, 34-29, win over FCS opponent Central Connecticut State, Sept. 21. Senior Mathew Sexton returned a blocked punt 30 yards for a touchdown with 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give Eastern the lead and help it avoid a home upset.
   Senior quarterback Mike Glass III authored a strong performance under center, completing 26-of-39 passes for 279 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Then-sophomore Quian Williams enjoyed a career day for the Green and White, setting personal-bests with eight receptions for 115 yards and a pair of touchdowns.Fellow second-year player Hassan Beydoun made three catches for 45 yards and one touchdown, which was the first-career score for Beydoun.
   On the defensive end, senior Kobie Beltram finished with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery, while fellow senior Vince Calhoun contributed 10 tackles, including one for-loss, and a sack.

ALL-TIME VS. TOLEDO: Separated by just 50 miles, the Eagles and Rockets will be meeting for the 48th time on Wednesday, Nov. 18. UT holds a 35-12 edge in the series, which began in 1923 when the Rockets claimed a 13-0 victory.

RECAPPING LAST YEAR'S MATCHUP: Eastern fought from 21 points down in the third quarter to force overtime at the Glass Bowl, Oct. 26. Despite taking a three-point lead in the extra session, 34-31, the Eagles were unable to hold on for victory, dropping the contest, 37-34. The 47th all-time matchup between the squads was the first that needed overtime to decide the winner.
   A tie game at the half, Toledo scored three unanswered touchdowns to open up a 21-point advantage, 31-10, with 9:21 remaining in the third quarter. Not discouraged, EMU came charging back. Down seven, 31-24, with 2:25 on the clock, senior running back Shaq Vann busted a 27-yard touchdown run, stunning the fans that were left in the rain-drenched Glass Bowl. Chad Ryland's extra point tied the game at 31-all.
   After the EMU defense recovered a fumble in the ensuing UT possession, the Eastern offense had one final chance to clinch the game in regulation. With 1:59 left, Glass and the offense positioned the field goal unit with a 33-yard field goal attempt, which ultimately missed.
   EMU continued to prove its resilience in the extra period. Unable to find the end zone, Ryland redeemed his earlier miss, this time drilling a 24-yard attempt, and giving Eastern its first lead of the game, 34-31.
   Needing a TD to win the game, the Rocket offense came through in the clutch. On third-and-10, UT quarterback Eli Peters threaded a perfect 15-yard touchdown pass to the Drew Rosi, ending the game, 37-34.

LAST TIME IN YPSILANTI: Senior DB Freddie McGee III poked away a two-point conversion pass as Eastern Michigan held off Toledo, 28-26, at Rynearson Stadium, Oct. 13, 2018.
    Toledo trailed 28-3 at halftime but held EMU scoreless in the second half and piled up 20 points in the fourth quarter, cutting the Eagles lead to two points. Mitchell Guadagni escaped from a collapsing pocket to score from the 10, making it 28-26 with 20 seconds remaining, but his pass to Bryce Mitchell, crossing in the back of the end zone, was poked away by McGee. Guadagni passed for 147 yards and a TD and rushed for 137 yards.
    Mike Glass III earned his first career start for the Green and White and made it a historic one, becoming the first EMU signal caller in program history to rush past the century mark in back-to-back games. Willie Parker's 50-yard run touchdown run, the longest of his career.

ON THE HORIZON: The benefit of EMU being the only team in the MAC to play consecutive road games is that, in turn, it will become the only team in the league to play consecutive home games. Following its matchup with Toledo, Eastern will remain at home to face Central Michigan, Nov. 27. The Black Friday affair is slated to begin at 4 p.m. and will air on CBS Sports Network and WEMU 89.1 FM.

EMU Set to Clock-In at Home for the First Time in 2020 Against Toledo

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Players Mentioned

Reginald Bell

Kobie Beltram

Hassan Beydoun

Darius Boone Jr.

Vince Calhoun

Bryson Cannon

Maxx Crosby

Samson Evans

Mike Glass III

Brody Hoying

Preston Hutchinson

Aaron Jackson

Tanner Knue

Alvinoski LaFleur

Freddie McGee III

Alex Merritt

Dylan Mulder

Terry Myrick

Gunnar Oakes

Willie Parker

Turan Rush

Chad Ryland

Mathew Sexton

Shaq Vann

Quian Williams

Eastern Michigan Athletics