Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, November 4
Kent, Ohio
6 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
0-1 , 0-1
23
at
27
Kent State
1-0 , 1-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Eastern Michigan
9
0
6
8
23
Kent State
13
7
0
7
27
Second Half Surge Not Enough as Football Falls in Season-Opener
11/4/2020 9:48:00 PM | Football
Eastern was led by numerous eye-popping offensive performances
Postgame Press Conference.
Photo Gallery | Video Recap.
KENT, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – A second-half surge was not enough to lift the Eastern Michigan University football team over its Mid-American Conference East Division opponent, Kent State University, in the first game of both teams' shortened six-game schedule tonight, Nov. 4. The Golden Flashes trailed for just 4:24 of game time en route to a 27-23 win inside Dix Stadium.
Eastern (0-1; 0-1 MAC) saw tremendous individual performances on both sides of the ball as first-year starting quarterback, junior Preston Hutchinson (Mason, Ohio-Mason), looked experienced and confident. He completed 21-of-35 pass attempts and amassed 241 yards through the air, which marks the best aerial performance for an EMU QB in a season-opener since Brogan Roback tossed for 267 yards against Charlotte in 2017. Helping the gunslinger was junior wideout Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn), who hauled in nine receptions, for 112 yards. His catch total ties a career-high. Senior tight end Thomas Odukoya (Almere, Netherlands- Helen Parkhurst (Garden City C.C.)) also made a significant impact, setting new career-bests in receptions (2) and touchdowns (2). In the run game, freshman Darius Boone (Tulsa, Okla.-Union) became the first freshman running back to rush for 65+ yards in a single game since Breck Turner (86) did it against Western Michigan in week seven of the 2016 campaign. Boone finished with 68 yards on nine carries.
Defensively, the senior duo of linebacker Terry Myrick (Austell, Ga.-Woodward Academy and Alvinoski LaFleur (Lake Charles, La.- LaGrange (Coffeyville C.C.)) ) led the Eastern effort with 10 tackles, and an interception, respectively. Myrick's double-digit tackling performance is the fourth of his career.
Kent State (1-0; 1-0 MAC) began the game with an efficient drive, quickly moving the ball into EMU territory after just three snaps. EMU recovered to force an early fourth down attempt at its own 26-yard line, although KSU was able to convert on a play-action fade to score the game's first touchdown and take an early lead, 7-0.
Junior returner Quian Williams (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Southmoore) brought high energy on the ensuing special teams play as he returned the kickoff 29 yards to the 50-yard line, setting up the EMU offense. Chris Creighton showed confidence in his new quarterback as he dropped back to complete his first pass attempt of the season to Beydoun, an eight-yard reception. Hutchinson tried for a long pass on the next play as he nearly found an open Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio-Mason) deep in Kent State territory. Two plays later, it was EMU that went for a fourth-time conversion of its own, but it was unable to convert. Kent State eventually turned its good field position into a one-yard rushing TD to go up, 13-0, with 7:45 on the clock.
The EMU offense was able to convert in its next possession. Boone picked up the first chain-mover of the season for Eastern via a 13 yard pickup through the air. The passing game continued to impress on the next snap as Beydoun hauled in a 19-yard completion to get the Eagles to the Kent State 25-yard line. Beydoun followed up with 17 more yards two plays later to get the Eagles to the Kent 10. Although the Eagles were unable to record a touchdown, junior kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) was able to nail a 34-yard field goal attempt to get Eastern on the board, 13-3.
The EMU field goal helped energize the Eagles' defense, who forced a quick three-and-out by the Golden Flashes in the next series. Hutchinson and Co. again moved efficiently in their third possession. Boone got in on the action with the best run of the night, a 34-yard pickup that got EMU inside the red zone. Two more runs by Boone added 14 more yards to his night and gave EMU a first down at the KSU five-yard line. From there, it was Odukoya who took control as he hauled in a five-yard pass to score EMU's first touchdown of the season and bring the Eagles within four, 13-9.
Kent State grabbed the momentum in the early portion of the second quarter as it capped off a six-play, 73-yard drive just 90 seconds into the start of the period to give itself a 20-9 advantage. Although Eastern showed steady offense in its next possession, its chance to score was cut short when KSU's Dean Clark corralled a one-handed interception on a ball thrown by Hutchinson.
With confidence and the ball, Kent again marched into Eastern territory. Undeterred, the EMU defense rose up, registering an interception and 43-yard return of its own when LaFleur collected his second-career pick with 6:46 remaining in the half. With the ball back in hand, the Eastern offense was able to move it to the Kent 34-yard line before Ryland missed a 52-yard field goal.
Defensively, Eastern was able to end the half on a high note, keeping Kent off the board and keeping its lead at just 11, 20-9. Myrick paced EMU with seven tackles heading into the break.
Neal Neathery's defensive unit was the star of the third quarter as it held Kent State scoreless for the entire frame out of the halftime intermission. In three possessions, the Golden Flashes were able to muster just 29 yards and had the ball for just 2:57 of clock time. Neathery's unit has now held its opponents scoreless in 10 of its last 26 games.
Offensively, Eastern did its part as well. After a punt ended its first possession of the third quarter, the Eagles quickly rebounded on try number two. A near-perfect attack saw Hutchinson engineer a 10-play, 69-yard set that concluded with a one-yard QB keeper, a score that brought EMU within five, 20-15.
The two squads punted during the next three possessions, respectively, before EMU's offense struck again, this time at the front-end of the fourth quarter. The Eagles needed just five plays to move the ball 55 yards for a score. Yet another reception by Beydoun, this time for 35-yards, which tied a career-best, put the Eagles in prime position. Just three plays later, Hutchinson found his top-tier tight end, Odukoya, in the end zone again. The three-yard touchdown pass was the second for the duo on the night, and gave Eastern its first lead of the game, 21-20. EMU added a successful two-point conversion to extend its lead to a field goal, 23-20.
Although it appeared to have the momentum, Kent State continued to fight throughout the fourth quarter until it eventually took the lead, 27-23, with 7:31 left. Although EMU got the ball back with time remaining, the Golden Flashes all-but sealed the deal when it picked off Hutchinson for the second time of the night. From there, Kent State was able to run out the clock and record the victory, 27-23.
Eastern will remain on the road for week two of the season when it travels to Muncie, Ind. for a Veterans Day matchup with MAC West foe Ball State, Nov. 11. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network and on WEMU 89.1 FM. For the most up-to-date information on all-things EMU athletics, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMUFB.
Photo Gallery | Video Recap.
KENT, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – A second-half surge was not enough to lift the Eastern Michigan University football team over its Mid-American Conference East Division opponent, Kent State University, in the first game of both teams' shortened six-game schedule tonight, Nov. 4. The Golden Flashes trailed for just 4:24 of game time en route to a 27-23 win inside Dix Stadium.
Eastern (0-1; 0-1 MAC) saw tremendous individual performances on both sides of the ball as first-year starting quarterback, junior Preston Hutchinson (Mason, Ohio-Mason), looked experienced and confident. He completed 21-of-35 pass attempts and amassed 241 yards through the air, which marks the best aerial performance for an EMU QB in a season-opener since Brogan Roback tossed for 267 yards against Charlotte in 2017. Helping the gunslinger was junior wideout Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn), who hauled in nine receptions, for 112 yards. His catch total ties a career-high. Senior tight end Thomas Odukoya (Almere, Netherlands- Helen Parkhurst (Garden City C.C.)) also made a significant impact, setting new career-bests in receptions (2) and touchdowns (2). In the run game, freshman Darius Boone (Tulsa, Okla.-Union) became the first freshman running back to rush for 65+ yards in a single game since Breck Turner (86) did it against Western Michigan in week seven of the 2016 campaign. Boone finished with 68 yards on nine carries.
Defensively, the senior duo of linebacker Terry Myrick (Austell, Ga.-Woodward Academy and Alvinoski LaFleur (Lake Charles, La.- LaGrange (Coffeyville C.C.)) ) led the Eastern effort with 10 tackles, and an interception, respectively. Myrick's double-digit tackling performance is the fourth of his career.
Kent State (1-0; 1-0 MAC) began the game with an efficient drive, quickly moving the ball into EMU territory after just three snaps. EMU recovered to force an early fourth down attempt at its own 26-yard line, although KSU was able to convert on a play-action fade to score the game's first touchdown and take an early lead, 7-0.
Junior returner Quian Williams (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Southmoore) brought high energy on the ensuing special teams play as he returned the kickoff 29 yards to the 50-yard line, setting up the EMU offense. Chris Creighton showed confidence in his new quarterback as he dropped back to complete his first pass attempt of the season to Beydoun, an eight-yard reception. Hutchinson tried for a long pass on the next play as he nearly found an open Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio-Mason) deep in Kent State territory. Two plays later, it was EMU that went for a fourth-time conversion of its own, but it was unable to convert. Kent State eventually turned its good field position into a one-yard rushing TD to go up, 13-0, with 7:45 on the clock.
The EMU offense was able to convert in its next possession. Boone picked up the first chain-mover of the season for Eastern via a 13 yard pickup through the air. The passing game continued to impress on the next snap as Beydoun hauled in a 19-yard completion to get the Eagles to the Kent State 25-yard line. Beydoun followed up with 17 more yards two plays later to get the Eagles to the Kent 10. Although the Eagles were unable to record a touchdown, junior kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) was able to nail a 34-yard field goal attempt to get Eastern on the board, 13-3.
The EMU field goal helped energize the Eagles' defense, who forced a quick three-and-out by the Golden Flashes in the next series. Hutchinson and Co. again moved efficiently in their third possession. Boone got in on the action with the best run of the night, a 34-yard pickup that got EMU inside the red zone. Two more runs by Boone added 14 more yards to his night and gave EMU a first down at the KSU five-yard line. From there, it was Odukoya who took control as he hauled in a five-yard pass to score EMU's first touchdown of the season and bring the Eagles within four, 13-9.
Kent State grabbed the momentum in the early portion of the second quarter as it capped off a six-play, 73-yard drive just 90 seconds into the start of the period to give itself a 20-9 advantage. Although Eastern showed steady offense in its next possession, its chance to score was cut short when KSU's Dean Clark corralled a one-handed interception on a ball thrown by Hutchinson.
With confidence and the ball, Kent again marched into Eastern territory. Undeterred, the EMU defense rose up, registering an interception and 43-yard return of its own when LaFleur collected his second-career pick with 6:46 remaining in the half. With the ball back in hand, the Eastern offense was able to move it to the Kent 34-yard line before Ryland missed a 52-yard field goal.
Defensively, Eastern was able to end the half on a high note, keeping Kent off the board and keeping its lead at just 11, 20-9. Myrick paced EMU with seven tackles heading into the break.
Neal Neathery's defensive unit was the star of the third quarter as it held Kent State scoreless for the entire frame out of the halftime intermission. In three possessions, the Golden Flashes were able to muster just 29 yards and had the ball for just 2:57 of clock time. Neathery's unit has now held its opponents scoreless in 10 of its last 26 games.
Offensively, Eastern did its part as well. After a punt ended its first possession of the third quarter, the Eagles quickly rebounded on try number two. A near-perfect attack saw Hutchinson engineer a 10-play, 69-yard set that concluded with a one-yard QB keeper, a score that brought EMU within five, 20-15.
The two squads punted during the next three possessions, respectively, before EMU's offense struck again, this time at the front-end of the fourth quarter. The Eagles needed just five plays to move the ball 55 yards for a score. Yet another reception by Beydoun, this time for 35-yards, which tied a career-best, put the Eagles in prime position. Just three plays later, Hutchinson found his top-tier tight end, Odukoya, in the end zone again. The three-yard touchdown pass was the second for the duo on the night, and gave Eastern its first lead of the game, 21-20. EMU added a successful two-point conversion to extend its lead to a field goal, 23-20.
Although it appeared to have the momentum, Kent State continued to fight throughout the fourth quarter until it eventually took the lead, 27-23, with 7:31 left. Although EMU got the ball back with time remaining, the Golden Flashes all-but sealed the deal when it picked off Hutchinson for the second time of the night. From there, Kent State was able to run out the clock and record the victory, 27-23.
Eastern will remain on the road for week two of the season when it travels to Muncie, Ind. for a Veterans Day matchup with MAC West foe Ball State, Nov. 11. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network and on WEMU 89.1 FM. For the most up-to-date information on all-things EMU athletics, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMUFB.
Team Stats
EMU
KENTST
Total Yards
302
431
Pass Yards
241
219
Rushing Yards
61
212
Penalty Yards
30
78
1st Downs
20
28
3rd Downs
5
4
4th Downs
2
2
TOP
29:03
30:57
1st Quarter
EMU 0, KENTST 7
KENTST - MCKOY, Isaiah 26 yd pass from CRUM, Dustin (PHILLIS, Seth kick) 11 plays, 79 yards, TOP 4:17
EMU 0, KENTST 13
KENTST - CRUM, Dustin 1 yd run (PHILLIS, Seth kickfailed), 8 plays, 58 yards, TOP 2:05
EMU 3, KENTST 13
EMU - RYLAND, Chad 34 yd field goal 9 plays, 43 yards, TOP 3:26
EMU 9, KENTST 13
EMU - ODUKOYA, Thomas 5 yd pass from HUTCHINSON, P. (RYLAND, Chad kickfailed) 6 plays, 74 yards, TOP 2:28
2nd Quarter
EMU 9, KENTST 20
KENTST - WILLIAMS, Xav. 33 yd run (PHILLIS, Seth kick), 6 plays, 73 yards, TOP 2:06
3rd Quarter
EMU 15, KENTST 20
EMU - HUTCHINSON, P. 1 yd run (SMITH, DJ rushfailed), 10 plays, 69 yards, TOP 3:38
4th Quarter
EMU 23, KENTST 20
EMU - ODUKOYA, Thomas 3 yd pass from HUTCHINSON, P. (WRIGHT, Donivan pass) 4 plays, 55 yards, TOP 1:59
EMU 23, KENTST 27
KENTST - WILLIAMS, Mark 9 yd pass from CRUM, Dustin (PHILLIS, Seth kick) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:24
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
21
TD
2
YDS
241
INT
2
Players Mentioned
WR
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WR
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DB
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LB
/ Football
TE
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QB
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K
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RB
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WR
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