Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, November 27
Rynearson Stadium
4 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
0-4 , 0-4
23
vs
31
Central Michigan
3-1 , 3-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Central Michigan
6
0
0
25
31
Eastern Michigan
7
10
3
3
23
Football Falls Short to In-State Rival Central Michigan, 31-23
11/27/2020 7:51:00 PM | Football
Terry Myrick shined with 17 tackles on the defensive side of the ball
Postgame Press Conference.
Photo Gallery. | Highlight Video.
NCAA Genius Postgame Stats (PDF).
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team fell at home to Central Michigan University, 31-23, tonight, Nov. 27, in a Mid-American Conference affair at Rynearson Stadium. The Eagles were up 20-6 late in the third quarter, but ultimately could not hold on to the advantage as the Chippewas outscored the Green and White 25-3 to end the game and finish on top.
EMU (0-4; 0-4 MAC) saw stellar offensive performances across the board, with junior quarterback Preston Hutchinson (Mason, Ohio-Mason) leading the way. Eastern's first-year field general finished the game with a 23-for-37 mark through the air, which was good for a career-best 365 yards through the air. His aerial performance was the first for EMU that went for better than 350 yards since Mike Glass III threw for 386 yards against Kent State, Nov. 29, 2019. Hutchinson added 57 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Junior Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn) grabbed eight catches for 100 yards, reaching the 100-yard mark for the second time this season and third time in his career. The feat is also the 129th time in EMU football history that a Green and White wideout has eclipsed 100 yards in a game. Sophomore Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio-Mason) was another reliable target, notching six receptions for 91 yards. Senior Bryson Cannon (Columbia, S.C.-Dutch Fork-Independence C.C.) hauled in two catches for 86 yards, highlighted by a 79-yard play that resulted in an EMU field goal.
On defense, five Eagles recorded double-digit stops, led by senior linebacker Terry Myrick (Austell, Ga.-Woodward Academy) with 17 total tackles to best his previous career-high of 14 set just last week, against Toledo, Nov. 18. Freshman defesnive back Kempton Shine (Chicago, Ill.-St. Rita) posted 14 tackles, his first double-figure outing at EMU, while junior DB Korey Hernandez (Decatur, Ga.-Cedar Grove) and classmate Tariq Sepights (Valencia, Calif.-Valencia-College of the Canyons) both notched 12 tackles, respectively. Senior Alvinoski LaFleur (Lake Charles, La.-LaGrange-Coffeyville) produced a career-high in tackles with 11. He added his second-career forced fumble (first of the season) as well in the contest.
On special teams, junior place kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) added 11 points of his own, sending three field goals (34, 32, 29) and two extra-points through the uprights. The Cedar Crest, Pa. product has now produced three games recording three field goals. Senior punter Jake Julien (Barrie, Ontario-North Collegiate) pinned the Chippewas inside the 20 twice while averaging 47.0 yards per boot, including one 50-yard punt. Junior Quian Williams (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Southmoore) ran back a kick-off for 35-yards, marking a new career long for the Oklahoma native.
The EMU offense started the game hot yet again as Hutchinson led a perfect opening drive for the Green and White. The series was highlighted by a 43-yard pass completion to Williams, his longest reception of the season. That set up Hutchinson, who carried the ball five yards to the Central Michigan three-yard line. The Ohio native called his own number again, finding the back of the end zone on a three-yard scamper to put EMU first on the board. Ryland added the extra point to give Eastern a 7-0 lead with 11:51 on the clock.
The EMU defense also started strong, holding Central Michigan (3-1; 3-1 MAC) to field goals on its first two possessions. CMU's Marshall Meeder punched in a 51-yard and 29-yard FG to cut the Eagles lead to one, 7-6, to end the first quarter.
To start the second quarter, Eastern worked its way down the field with a 32-yard pass completion from Hutchinson to Beydoun to reach the CMU 22-yard line. The Eagles were unable to get the first down after two short rushes and an incomplete pass, but Ryland propelled EMU's lead to four, 10-6, with a 34-yard field goal with 14:56 in the second period.
With the offensive highlight reel in full swing, the Eagle defense stepped up with some big plays during Central Michigan's next two possessions. After moving the ball into Eastern territory, it was LaFleur that thwarted the Chippewa drive as he forced his fumble on the one-yard line. Myrick recovered it in the end zone for a touchback. CMU was able to retrieve the ball back after turning EMU on downs. Ready again, the defense forced a three-and-out as the Eagles took over on its own 21-yard line.
With the ball, and up, 10-6, Eastern's offense picked up on the momentum created by the defense. A Hutchinson rush for eight yards got the drive started and passes to Beydoun and Drummond got the Eagles down to the EMU 34-yard line. Hutchinson went back to work again and found Beydoun for a 14-yard pass to the CMU 20, before the QB ran in his second rushing touchdown of the night, which put EMU up, 16-6. Ryland again hit the extra-point attempt to give Eastern an 11-point edge, 17-6, with 6:02 remaining in the opening half.
The EMU defense held strong against the Chippewa offense with an interception from senior Jeff Hubbard (Atlanta, Ga.-Woodward Academy) as CMU was driving to hold onto the lead, 17-6.
Central Michigan opened up the second half of action with a drive deep into EMU territory before coughing up the ball yet again. This time, it was Shine who jumped on the loose ball to give the Eagles their second redzone stop of the game.
Back on the field following an Eastern interception, Neal Neathery's "Hard Hat D" came up big again. The Chippewas were unable to put any points on the board as the EMU defense made an impressive goal line stand to keep the game at 17-6.
After picking up just five yards on its next two plays, the EMU offense found a firework when Hutchinson tossed a pass to a wide-open Cannon 79-yard completion. The play is tied-for-second in longest pass play from scrimmage in Rynearson Stadium history, sharing the record with Charlie Batch, who completed a 79-yard bomb to Ta-if Kumasi versus Akron on Oct. 18, 1997. The Green and White capped-off the nine-play, 85-yard drive with another Ryland field goal to extend the lead to 14 (20-6) with 3:07 remaining in the third.
EMU continued to stand tall on the defensive side of the ball, holding the Chippewas scoreless in the third quarter of action. For the Eagles, they have held opponents scoreless out of the break in 10 out of their last 29 games (35%). However, the Chippewas punched it on fourth-down and converted on the two-point try to get within one possession, 20-14 with 14:02 left to play.
Hutchinson and company responded with a score of their own, as Ryland knocked home his third field goal of the game to make it 23-14 at the 8:59 mark. The last time the Keystone State product registered a three-field goal performance was at the Quick Lane Bowl, Dec. 26, 2019.
The two teams traded scores once more as CMU scored a touchdown on the ground and converted the extra-point attempt to make it a 23-21 game with 4:34 remaining. Following the Chippewas' kick-off, an unfortunate pitch by Hutchinson resulted in a CMU fumble recovery at Eastern's 8-yard line. The Green and White defense held true on the Chippewas' possession, forcing a field goal as CMU took the lead, 24-23 at 2:31 in the fourth.
With under three minutes left to play, Hutchinson threw a pass that bounced off a Central Michigan helmet and into the hands of the defense. Following the turnover, the Chippewas punched in another score on the ground to take a 31-23 lead with 1:36 left in the game. After picking up a first down on the final drive, CMU made an athletic interception to seal the deal. Despite the Eagles best comeback efforts, it was the Chippewas held on to win, 31-23.
Eastern will travel just over 100 miles west on Interstate 94 to take on another MAC West Division and in-state rival, Western Michigan University, next Saturday, Dec. 5, inside Waldo Stadium. Kick off is slated for 2 p.m. on ESPN+ and WEMU 89.1 FM. The game will be the late road contest for EMU in 2020. The team is set to close its six-game 2020 slate at home against Northern Illinois, Dec. 12.
For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU football, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMUFB.
Photo Gallery. | Highlight Video.
NCAA Genius Postgame Stats (PDF).
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team fell at home to Central Michigan University, 31-23, tonight, Nov. 27, in a Mid-American Conference affair at Rynearson Stadium. The Eagles were up 20-6 late in the third quarter, but ultimately could not hold on to the advantage as the Chippewas outscored the Green and White 25-3 to end the game and finish on top.
EMU (0-4; 0-4 MAC) saw stellar offensive performances across the board, with junior quarterback Preston Hutchinson (Mason, Ohio-Mason) leading the way. Eastern's first-year field general finished the game with a 23-for-37 mark through the air, which was good for a career-best 365 yards through the air. His aerial performance was the first for EMU that went for better than 350 yards since Mike Glass III threw for 386 yards against Kent State, Nov. 29, 2019. Hutchinson added 57 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Junior Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn) grabbed eight catches for 100 yards, reaching the 100-yard mark for the second time this season and third time in his career. The feat is also the 129th time in EMU football history that a Green and White wideout has eclipsed 100 yards in a game. Sophomore Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio-Mason) was another reliable target, notching six receptions for 91 yards. Senior Bryson Cannon (Columbia, S.C.-Dutch Fork-Independence C.C.) hauled in two catches for 86 yards, highlighted by a 79-yard play that resulted in an EMU field goal.
On defense, five Eagles recorded double-digit stops, led by senior linebacker Terry Myrick (Austell, Ga.-Woodward Academy) with 17 total tackles to best his previous career-high of 14 set just last week, against Toledo, Nov. 18. Freshman defesnive back Kempton Shine (Chicago, Ill.-St. Rita) posted 14 tackles, his first double-figure outing at EMU, while junior DB Korey Hernandez (Decatur, Ga.-Cedar Grove) and classmate Tariq Sepights (Valencia, Calif.-Valencia-College of the Canyons) both notched 12 tackles, respectively. Senior Alvinoski LaFleur (Lake Charles, La.-LaGrange-Coffeyville) produced a career-high in tackles with 11. He added his second-career forced fumble (first of the season) as well in the contest.
On special teams, junior place kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) added 11 points of his own, sending three field goals (34, 32, 29) and two extra-points through the uprights. The Cedar Crest, Pa. product has now produced three games recording three field goals. Senior punter Jake Julien (Barrie, Ontario-North Collegiate) pinned the Chippewas inside the 20 twice while averaging 47.0 yards per boot, including one 50-yard punt. Junior Quian Williams (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Southmoore) ran back a kick-off for 35-yards, marking a new career long for the Oklahoma native.
The EMU offense started the game hot yet again as Hutchinson led a perfect opening drive for the Green and White. The series was highlighted by a 43-yard pass completion to Williams, his longest reception of the season. That set up Hutchinson, who carried the ball five yards to the Central Michigan three-yard line. The Ohio native called his own number again, finding the back of the end zone on a three-yard scamper to put EMU first on the board. Ryland added the extra point to give Eastern a 7-0 lead with 11:51 on the clock.
The EMU defense also started strong, holding Central Michigan (3-1; 3-1 MAC) to field goals on its first two possessions. CMU's Marshall Meeder punched in a 51-yard and 29-yard FG to cut the Eagles lead to one, 7-6, to end the first quarter.
To start the second quarter, Eastern worked its way down the field with a 32-yard pass completion from Hutchinson to Beydoun to reach the CMU 22-yard line. The Eagles were unable to get the first down after two short rushes and an incomplete pass, but Ryland propelled EMU's lead to four, 10-6, with a 34-yard field goal with 14:56 in the second period.
With the offensive highlight reel in full swing, the Eagle defense stepped up with some big plays during Central Michigan's next two possessions. After moving the ball into Eastern territory, it was LaFleur that thwarted the Chippewa drive as he forced his fumble on the one-yard line. Myrick recovered it in the end zone for a touchback. CMU was able to retrieve the ball back after turning EMU on downs. Ready again, the defense forced a three-and-out as the Eagles took over on its own 21-yard line.
With the ball, and up, 10-6, Eastern's offense picked up on the momentum created by the defense. A Hutchinson rush for eight yards got the drive started and passes to Beydoun and Drummond got the Eagles down to the EMU 34-yard line. Hutchinson went back to work again and found Beydoun for a 14-yard pass to the CMU 20, before the QB ran in his second rushing touchdown of the night, which put EMU up, 16-6. Ryland again hit the extra-point attempt to give Eastern an 11-point edge, 17-6, with 6:02 remaining in the opening half.
The EMU defense held strong against the Chippewa offense with an interception from senior Jeff Hubbard (Atlanta, Ga.-Woodward Academy) as CMU was driving to hold onto the lead, 17-6.
Central Michigan opened up the second half of action with a drive deep into EMU territory before coughing up the ball yet again. This time, it was Shine who jumped on the loose ball to give the Eagles their second redzone stop of the game.
Back on the field following an Eastern interception, Neal Neathery's "Hard Hat D" came up big again. The Chippewas were unable to put any points on the board as the EMU defense made an impressive goal line stand to keep the game at 17-6.
After picking up just five yards on its next two plays, the EMU offense found a firework when Hutchinson tossed a pass to a wide-open Cannon 79-yard completion. The play is tied-for-second in longest pass play from scrimmage in Rynearson Stadium history, sharing the record with Charlie Batch, who completed a 79-yard bomb to Ta-if Kumasi versus Akron on Oct. 18, 1997. The Green and White capped-off the nine-play, 85-yard drive with another Ryland field goal to extend the lead to 14 (20-6) with 3:07 remaining in the third.
EMU continued to stand tall on the defensive side of the ball, holding the Chippewas scoreless in the third quarter of action. For the Eagles, they have held opponents scoreless out of the break in 10 out of their last 29 games (35%). However, the Chippewas punched it on fourth-down and converted on the two-point try to get within one possession, 20-14 with 14:02 left to play.
Hutchinson and company responded with a score of their own, as Ryland knocked home his third field goal of the game to make it 23-14 at the 8:59 mark. The last time the Keystone State product registered a three-field goal performance was at the Quick Lane Bowl, Dec. 26, 2019.
The two teams traded scores once more as CMU scored a touchdown on the ground and converted the extra-point attempt to make it a 23-21 game with 4:34 remaining. Following the Chippewas' kick-off, an unfortunate pitch by Hutchinson resulted in a CMU fumble recovery at Eastern's 8-yard line. The Green and White defense held true on the Chippewas' possession, forcing a field goal as CMU took the lead, 24-23 at 2:31 in the fourth.
With under three minutes left to play, Hutchinson threw a pass that bounced off a Central Michigan helmet and into the hands of the defense. Following the turnover, the Chippewas punched in another score on the ground to take a 31-23 lead with 1:36 left in the game. After picking up a first down on the final drive, CMU made an athletic interception to seal the deal. Despite the Eagles best comeback efforts, it was the Chippewas held on to win, 31-23.
Eastern will travel just over 100 miles west on Interstate 94 to take on another MAC West Division and in-state rival, Western Michigan University, next Saturday, Dec. 5, inside Waldo Stadium. Kick off is slated for 2 p.m. on ESPN+ and WEMU 89.1 FM. The game will be the late road contest for EMU in 2020. The team is set to close its six-game 2020 slate at home against Northern Illinois, Dec. 12.
For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU football, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMUFB.
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Team Stats
CMU
EMU
Total Yards
553
439
Pass Yards
235
365
Rushing Yards
318
74
Penalty Yards
64
15
1st Downs
28
22
3rd Downs
8
7
4th Downs
3
1
TOP
33:16
26:44
1st Quarter
CMU 0, EMU 7
EMU - HUTCHINSON, P. 3 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 6 plays, 63 yards, TOP 2:57
CMU 3, EMU 7
CMU - MEEDER, M. 51 yd field goal 9 plays, 39 yards, TOP 3:46
CMU 6, EMU 7
CMU - MEEDER, M. 29 yd field goal 14 plays, 50 yards, TOP 4:37
2nd Quarter
CMU 6, EMU 10
EMU - RYLAND, Chad 34 yd field goal 6 plays, 56 yards, TOP 2:10
CMU 6, EMU 17
EMU - HUTCHINSON, P. 20 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 9 plays, 79 yards, TOP 3:20
3rd Quarter
CMU 6, EMU 20
EMU - RYLAND, Chad 32 yd field goal 9 plays, 85 yards, TOP 4:52
4th Quarter
CMU 14, EMU 20
CMU - NICHOLS III, L. 9 yd run (LAW, Drayton pass), 15 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:05
CMU 14, EMU 23
EMU - RYLAND, Chad 29 yd field goal 10 plays, 49 yards, TOP 4:56
CMU 21, EMU 23
CMU - NICHOLS III, L. 1 yd run (MEEDER, M. kick), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:25
CMU 24, EMU 23
CMU - MEEDER, M. 21 yd field goal 4 plays, 4 yards, TOP 1:47
CMU 31, EMU 23
CMU - LEWIS, Kobe 9 yd run (MEEDER, M. kick), 3 plays, 32 yards, TOP 0:43
Game Leaders
CMP
23
TD
0
YDS
365
INT
3
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
TE
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
P
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
K
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
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