More MACtion On Tap for Wednesday Night at Ball State

Football at Ball State
Date	Wednesday, Nov. 11 \| 7 p.m. ET
Venue	Muncie, Ind. \| Scheumann Stadium
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Media Guide \| Press Conference Video
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

MUNCIE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – After coming up short in its season opener, the Eastern Michigan University football team remains on the road with a 217-mile trek to Muncie, Ind. Wednesday, Nov. 11, to battle the Ball State University Cardinals. The Mid-American Conference West Division tilt is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Scheumann Stadium.
   Despite overcoming an early 13 point deficit, the Eagles (0-1, 0-1 MAC) could not hold off Kent State, dropping a 27-23 decision when the Golden Flashes pushed across the go ahead touchdown with 7:31 to play in the contest. Meanwhile, the Cardinals (0-1, 0-1 MAC) also experienced some heart-burn when Miami University punched in a two-yard touchdown run with just 10 seconds to play for a 38-31 victory.
   Wednesday's contest will be shown on CBS Sports Network with Ben Holden providing play-by-play and Ross Tucker serving as analyst. The game will also be on WEMU (89.1 FM) with Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick on the call.

HOT IN NOVEMBER: If EMU is going to play two-thirds of its six-game slate in one calendar month, there may be no better span than the month of November. Eastern is 10-5 in the month of November the last four years. In the four seasons prior, Eastern combined for a total of seven wins during the entire 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 campaigns.

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 31 of the last 51 (61%) contests decided by seven points-or-less.
    Of those contests, eight have been decided in overtime with 18 coming down to the final play.

TWO X TWO FOR THE DEUCE: Senior tight end Thomas Odukoya did not disappoint in his first game donning "The Deuce," on Nov. 4. The first-year team captain put together a two reception season-opener, both of which were touchdowns, at Kent State. His reception and TD numbers were both career-bests.

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.

HOW ABOUT HUTCHINSON: First-year starting quarterback, junior Preston Hutchinson, looked experienced and confident in his season-opener against Kent State, Nov. 4. 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. Hutchinson and Roback's respective numbers are the first and second-best in that category since the turn of the century at EMU.

WHO KNUE?: Sophomore Tanner Knue burst onto the scene in EMU's week one matchup at Kent State, Nov. 4. His third-career appearance saw him record his first-career start, collect his first collegiate reception, and subsequently set career-bests in receptions (4), longest reception (19 yards), and reception yards (45). The Mason, Ohio native was a key target for quarterback Preston Hutchinson, who just so happens to be his high school teammate from Greater Cincinnati's Mason High School.

HERE COMES THE BOONE: Darius Boone Jr. became the first freshman running back at EMU to rush for 65+ yards in a single game since the 2016 campaign when he went for 68 yards on nine carries against Kent State, Nov. 4. Breck Turner, the last player to accomplished that feat, did so in 2016's week seven matchup against Western Michigan. Turner tallied 86 yards on the ground in that performance.

HOT OUT OF HALFTIME: Defensive coordinator Neal Neathery continues to prove that his halftime adjustments are spot-on, as the EMU defense held an opponent scoreless in the third quarter yet again when it blanked Kent State in the third frame, Nov. 4.
    The third-quarter shutout marks the 10th time in Eastern's last 26 contests that its opponent has failed to score in the first quarter out of the break. In their three third-quarter possessions, the Golden Flashes were able to muster just 29 yards of total offense and had the ball for just 2:57 of clock time.

NO-FLY NOSKI: Senior defensive back Alvinoski LaFleur brought the Eastern Michigan defense to life in the second quarter of its season-opener at Kent State, Nov. 4. The Lake Charles, La. native recorded an interception and 43-yard return, his second-career pick, with 6:46 remaining in the half. The interception was the first by an Eagle defender in 2019, and LaFleur's first since the team's 2019, week five matchup at Central Michigan. He finished the contest with three tackles (2 solo, 1 assist), and was one of 19 EMU defenders to turn in a multi-tackle performance against the Golden Flashes.
   LaFleur is one of only nine players in the MAC and 79 in the FBS that has recorded an interception this season. He has the second-longest return on such a play in the conference (43 yards).

TEN FROM TERRY: Senior linebacker Terry Myrick gave an impressive performance at Kent State, Nov. 4. The defensive leader recorded a team-best 10 tackles in the game, one of just two players (from either team) to do so in the contest. Myrick finished as the team's third-best play stopper in 2019, as he amassed 89 tackles in 13 games. Through one game this season, he has raised his tackles per game average by nearly 3.2 (10 vs. 6.84).

BIG GAME BEYDOUN: Junior wideout Hassan Beydoun continued to expand his role within the EMU offense during Eastern's week one game at Kent State, Nov. 4. Beydoun hauled in nine receptions for 112 yards. His catch total ties a career-high. Additionally, Beydoun brought in a 35-yard reception in the fourth quarter, which also tied a career-high. His total reception yards was just one yard behind the career-best 113 he recorded in the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl.

BACK-TO-BACK 100-YARD GAMES: With his 112-yard performance against Kent State, Nov. 4, junior wide receiver Hassan Beydoun has recorded back-to-back 100+ yard receiving games, dating back to Eastern's last game of the 2019 season, the Quick Lane Bowl. Interestingly, Beydoun grabbed nine receptions for 113 yards in last year's finale, before nearly mirroring that effort with nine catches and 112 total yards in week one of the 2020 season.
       Prior to Beydoun, the last EMU player to record consecutive games with 100+ receieving yards came back in 2016, when Dieuly Aristilde put up 193 and 107 yards, respectively, in back-to-back contests against Miami (Oct. 29), and Ball State (Nov. 8). Beydoun has two of the 127 100+ yard receiving games that have been recorded in the 129-year history of Eastern's program.

SIGNIFICANT STRETCH OF DEFENSE: Eastern's defense was able to keep Kent State off the scoreboard for a stretch of five-consecutive possessions in its week one matchup with the Golden Flashes, Nov. 4. The effort, which saw the Eagles force three punts, an interception, and a clock run out, all between the second and third quarters, respectively, allowed EMU's offense to get back in the game.
   The performance was the best for the Eastern defense since it blanked Akron for seven-straight possessions in week 10 of the 2019 season. Overall, Neal Neathery's unit have stopped opposing offenses on at least five-consecutive drives 26 times in 22 different games since his arrival in 2016. EMU is 15-7 in those games, with four of the losses coming in overtime and five finishing within one score.

ALL-TIME VS. BALL STATE: The Eagles and Cardinals have met 61 times in their respective histories, with BSU leading the all-time series, 35-24-2. The two schools first met in 1936, and have faced off annually since 1973. EMU has won three of the last four meetings, out-scoring the Cardinals, 169-104 during that stretch. Last season, it was Ball State that came out on top, earning a 29-23 Homecoming victory over EMU at Rynearson Stadium, Oct. 12.

RECAPPING LAST YEAR'S MEETING: Eastern was unable to preserve a two-possession lead in its 92nd Homecoming contest, falling to Ball State, 29-23, Oct. 21 at "The Factory."
   The setback snapped the Eagles' three-game winning streak against Ball State, who scored 15 unanswered points in the second half to clinch its first win at EMU since a 28-17 decision, Sept. 19, 2015.
   Senior quarterback Mike Glass III was responsible for all three Eastern touchdowns, as he finished 20-for-34 with 283 yards and one touchdown pass along with a team-high 13 carries for 47 yards and two rushing scores. Then-sophomore Dylan Drummond led the Green and White with six receptions for 72 yards, while former Eagle Arthur Jackson III and then-sophomore Hassan Beydoun each tallied three catches for 48 and 41 yards, respectively.
   Then-sophomore kicker Chad Ryland matched the career-high he set in the Eagles' win at Illinois, Sept. 14, with a 52-yard field goal that gave EMU a 17-7 lead with 5:27 remaining in the second quarter. On the defensive end, senior Kobie Beltram shined with 12 tackles, one TFL, and one fumble recovery, while senior Vince Calhoun and then-junior Terry Myrick were both responsible for seven tackles.

THE LAST TIME EMU HAD FUNCIE IN MUNCIE: Quarterback Tyler Wiegers passed for three touchdowns and ran for another as Eastern Michigan scored in every quarter to defeat Ball State, 42-20, in Muncie, Oct. 20, 2018.
    Wiegers was a crisp 22-for-28, passing for 257 yards for Eastern Michigan. Wiegers threw touchdown passes to Line Latu, Arthur Jackson III and Isaac Holder. Shaq Vann put the Eagles on the board with a one-yard run early, Latu caught a 41-yarder in the second quarter, and Wiegers scored on a keeper from the 1 with 24 seconds left in the half for a 21-6 lead.
    The Cardinals' Riley Neal ended a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 16-yard pass to Riley Miller before halftime and scored from 11 yards out to end another 75-yard drive in the third quarter. Ball State was trailing 42-13 when Will Jones rambled for an 80-yard score with about two minutes remaining.
    Eastern Michigan defenders had an interception, a fumble recovery and five three-and-outs in the win.

CROSSOVER CONNECTIONS: A tottal of 11 players between the EMU and BSU rosters will have extra motivation heading into Saturday's matchup. Five Cardinals hail from the Mitten State, while six Eagles are set to head home to Indiana.

EASTERN ROOTS IN MUNCIE: In addition to Eastern's six players that have ties to the Hoosier State, two Eastern Athletics staff members have direct roots to Muncie. Eastern Michigan head volleyball coach Darcy Dorton is originally from the Delaware County city, while Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee both completed his undergraduate degree at Ball State (1997), and also served as a graduate assistant in its ticket office from 1997-99.

THANK YOU, VETERANS: Wednesday is a day of celebration and appreciation across the United States, as Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I, and a bill signed into law on May 26, 1954 made it official.
Congress amended the bill on June 1, 1954, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," and it has been known as Veterans Day since.
   EMU's own media relations office is made better every day by graduate assistant Jessica Crusan, who served as an active duty member of the United States Marine Corps from 2013-2017. For Jess' service, and to all those who have served, EMU is grateful and appreciative.

BETTER ON THE ROAD?: EMU and Ball State have established a rare and interesting trend within their MAC West matchup. Since 1985, the road team has compiled a winning record against one another. Eastern in 9-8 when visiting Muncie in that span, while Ball State is 12-6 when playing in Ypsilanti. Each team has a losing record at home.

THE LEGACY OF No. 2 CONTINUES: One of the most important decisions a college football player makes comes long before they ever step onto the field for a game; That choice is what number they will choose to wear. After all, the jersey a player chooses means much more than just the number itself. Athletes develop a special bond with the number they choose to wear. It becomes part of their identity, especially in a sport like football where the players' heads are covered by their helmets. This decision is personal and special to each player. It is a choice that usually is theirs to make, excluding position restrictions and players wanting the same number.
   For the Eastern Michigan University football team, the number two jersey, known as 'The Deuce', must be earned in remembrance of wide receiver Demarius Reed, who passed away on Oct. 18, 2013. Put back into circulation in 2017 with the blessing of Reed's family and former teammates, his number once again graces the field at Rynearson Stadium on the back of the squad's best senior pass catcher.
   This season, senior Thomas Odukoya has earned the honor to don the No. 2 jersey as part of the tradition Head Coach Chris Creighton announced Sunday, Nov. 1, following the team's practice at Rynearson Stadium.
   Players do not get the opportunity to choose No. 2 by picking it out in the equipment room. They earn it through their actions both on and off the field. This player possesses the integrity, character, and selflessness all of EMU's football players and representatives strive to build within themselves.
   Affectionately known as 'D. Reed' by his teammates, Reed was a natural-born leader that made friends easily. He excelled both athletically and academically throughout his life, and quickly became a leader both on and off the field at EMU. Known as the "locker room joker", Reed impacted everyone he met.
   EMU has continued to recognize Reed's influence on the football program since his passing. His jersey is buried at midfield under the Block E logo inside Rynearson Stadium, while a plaque now memorializes his accomplishments inside the lockerroom at the Student-Athlete Performance Center.
   In 2017, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver Sergio Bailey II wore the 'The Deuce' before former walk-on Blake Banham earned the honor in 2018. Last season, it was Clinton, Mich. native Mathew Sexton that donned the jersey.

WHO IS THAT IN ZERO? New this season in NCAA football is the fact that the No. 0 jersey can now be worn. This was not the case in previous seasons. While it is not a requirement that the jersey be awarded in any special fashion, the EMU football team plans to award the number to a different defensive player during each week of the 2020 campaign.
   According to team officials, No. 0 will be worn by the defensive player each week that best embodies the team's "Hard Hat Defense" mentality. The three characteristics that a player must achieve to be part of EMU's "Hard Hat D,' are: selfless, hardworking, and tough. The player that wears No. 0 will change every week and will be awarded based on the individual's previous week performance.
   The first player to earn the chance to wear No. 0 was sophomore defensive lineman Mikey Haney.

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Players Mentioned

Blake Banham

Kobie Beltram

Hassan Beydoun

Darius Boone Jr.

Vince Calhoun

Dylan Drummond

Mike Glass III

Mikey Haney

Isaac Holder

Preston Hutchinson

Arthur Jackson III

Tanner Knue

Alvinoski LaFleur

Line Latu

Terry Myrick

Thomas Odukoya

Brogan Roback

Chad Ryland

Mathew Sexton

Breck Turner

Shaq Vann

Tyler Wiegers

Eastern Michigan Athletics