Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eleven Football Players Named Phil Steele All-MAC
1/5/2021 5:44:00 PM | Football
Eastern had two special teams, four defensive, and five offensive players selected
Complete List (PDF).
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team had 11 of its student-athletes named to Phil Steele Postseason All-Mid-American Conference Teams, announced Tuesday, Jan. 5. EMU's total was tied for the sixth-best among the 12 MAC schools. Western Michigan led the way with 16 selections.
Senior defensive back Alvinoski LaFleur (Lake Charles, La.-LaGrange-Coffeyville C.C.) was the lone EMU player to collect first team honors in 2020. Junior wide receiver Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn), senior linebacker Terry Myrick (Austell, Ga.-Woodward Academy), senior defensive lineman Turan Rush (Charleston West Side, W.Va.-Capital-Antelope Valley), junior kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest), and junior offensive lineman Sidy Sow (Bromont, Quebec-J-H Leclerc-Champlain Lennoxville) were each named to the second team.
Senior punter Jake Julien (Barrie, Ontario-North Collegiate) and sophomore defensive lineman Jose Ramirez (Lake Alfred, Fla.-Auburndale-Arizona-Riverside City) garnered All-MAC third team honors. Rounding out the list, junior quarterback Preston Hutchinson (Mason, Ohio-Mason), senior tight end Thomas Odukoya (Almere, Netherlands-Helen Parkhurst-Garden City C.C.) and senior offensive lineman Mike Van Hoeven (Paw Paw, Mich.-Paw Paw) earned fourth team accolades.
After seeing action in all 13 contests a season ago, LaFleur emerged as the team's starting safety in 2020. A consistent force for the defense that finished as the eighth-best red zone stop specialists in the nation, he was able to record multiple tackles in each contest. His best performance came in the form of an 11-stop day, a career-high, versus Central Michigan, Nov. 27. The Lake Charles, La. native notched his second-career interception in EMU's season-opener at Kent State, Nov. 4, and added a pick for the second consecutive week against Ball State, Nov. 11, a play in which he also recorded a career-long 54-yard return. LaFleur's interceptions in back-to-back contests marked 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 finished tied for second in the MAC with two interceptions, but led the conference in return yardage off interceptions (97 yards).
Beydoun reminded everyone that just because one starts his career as a walk-on, it does not mean he cannot be great. In fact, he was a 2020 nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the nation's best player who began his career as a walk-on. Beydoun Holds the EMU standard for receptions/game in a season at 8.0, bettering Kenny Christian's mark of 7.8 set in 2000. He had a team-best 40 receptions for 508 yards in five games this season, and finished ranked second in the MAC and eighth nationally in receptions per game (8.0). The Dearborn, Mich. native was fourth in the league and 16th nationally in receiving yards per game (101.6), and caught at least seven balls in every game this season. He posted nine catches for 112 yards against Kent State, Nov. 4, and followed it up by again hitting the century mark against Central Michigan, Nov. 27. Beydoun finished the season with a team-best three 100+ yard receiving performances, and now has four such games in his career. His four 100+ yard performances tie for third-best in program history. Additionally, he is one of just seven players in the 129-year history of the program to record at least four games in that category.
One of EMU's defensive leaders, Myrick put together his best season in the Green and White in 2020. The Greater Atlanta product started all six games as a linebacker for EMU, and finished first on the team with 67 total tackles, including 24 solo stops and 43 assists. He also led the team with 5.5 tackles-for-loss and two fumble recoveries. His two pass break-ups were good for second-best of any player on the team. Myrick also added a pair of fumble recoveries, the first two of his career, which was the best effort by any player in the league, and 12th best total in the nation. He finished fourth in the MAC and 11th nationally with an 11.2 tackles per game average, and led EMU in total tackles in four of six games during the 2020 campaign, where he recorded at least 10 stops in each.
A fixture in both EMU's run blocking and pass protection efforts, Sow was impressive in this, his junior season with the Green and White. He started all six games for Eastern Michigan at the left guard position, and helped spur an EMU rushing attack that saw seven different Eagles record multiple attempts on the ground en route to 776 total yards and 11 of EMU's 23 offensive touchdowns in 2020. Sow was also responsible for the protection of QB Preston Hutchinson, who racked up better than 1,600 yards through the air in just six games and scored eight TDs of his own on the ground.
A first-year captain for Eastern Michigan, Rush established himself as one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the MAC in 2020. The West Virginia native finished fifth in the MAC and 29th in the FBS in sacks at 0.75 per game, and had a season-best two sacks and six tackles against MAC West Division champion Ball State, Nov. 11. The third-year Eagle added sacks against Kent State, Nov. 4, Toledo, Nov. 18, and Northern Illinois, Dec. 12.
Ryland, who was awarded a scholarship prior to the start of the season, led the MAC and ranked fourth in field goals per game (1.83) in 2020. He was second in the MAC and 23rd nationally in field goal percentage at 84.6 percent (11-of-13). His most impressive kick of the season came against Ball State, Nov. 11, where he drilled a season-best 52-yarder, which is tied for the second-longest in school history. Additionally, he tied the school record with four made field goals in an upset victory of then-MAC West Division leader Western Michigan, Dec. 5. A two-time MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week in 2020, Ryland ranks third all-time in PATs made (94) and fourth in PATs attempted (98) at EMU. He is fifth in career points scored with 205, just one shy of passing Tim Henneghan (1986-89) for fourth place, and needs just 95 points to surpass Andrew Wellock (2003-06) for the most career points at 299.
A stunning omission from the MAC's official postseason award list, Julien certainly deserves recognition for his play in 2020. A nominee for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation's top-performing punter, and led the MAC in punting while ranking eighth nationally. He averaged 44.25 yards per punt with 16 punts for 708 yards, a total that would rank third in EMU if a minimum of 20 punts were reached. As a result of his stellar season, Julien is now tied with Rich Hanschu (1979-80) for first in the EMU record books with a 43.4 career punting average. He ranks eighth in EMU history with 7,383 yards punting, and is the only punter in Eastern Michigan history to record two 70+ yard punts in his career.
Ramirez appeared in each of EMU's six games in 2020, and notched his first-career tackle against Kent State, Nov. 4. He recorded at least two tackles in every appearance in 2020. Ramirez's breakout game came at Western Michigan, Dec. 5, where he set personal bests in tackles (7), tackles-for-loss (2.0), sacks (2.0), and forced fumbles (1.0). Each number in the previous categories, with the exception of his total tackles, led or tied for the team lead against Western. Ramirez was an anchor for the EMU defense that held Western Michigan's D'Wayne Eskridge, the nation's leader in all-purpose yards coming into the game (255 yards per game average) to a season-low 99 yards. The game was Eskridge's first without at least 230 all-purpose yards. Additionally, his kick return yards (30) and receiving yards (53) against EMU were season lows. The Lake Alfred, Fla. native collected MAC West Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance.
Assuming the role of quarterback in 2020 was Hutchinson, who recorded new career-highs in virtually every category. He put together an impressive junior season as he threw for 1,662 yards on 126-of-198 pass attempts, the 22nd most single-season passing yards by a QB in program history while notching two games with 300+ passing yards. The Mason, Ohio native tossed for 12 touchdowns, including a career-best four scores versus Toledo, Nov. 18, and added a career-best 87 rushing attempts for 206 yards and eight touchdowns. He ran for touchdowns in three consecutive games, the most of any EMU player this season and the 24 in program history to hit the mark, all while directing an EMU offense that amassed 2,438 total yards, good for 406.3 yards per game, the fourth-best mark of any team in program history.
Hutchinson finished the season ranked inside the top-40 nationally in 10 individual categories, including top-20 placements in passing yards per game (276.2) and total offense (308.2 yards per game). He now resides in the top-20 of four EMU record book categories, including single-game total offense (13 - 422 yards vs. CMU, Nov. 27), career pass completions (18-169), career passing yards (17 – 2,124), and single-game TD passes (T-4 – 4 vs. Toledo, Nov. 18). One of the most impressive plays of the season came when he connected with tight end Bryson Cannon for the second-longest pass play in Rynearson Stadium history (79 yards) against CMU, Nov. 27. Overall, his scoring unit averaged 22.33 first downs per game (134 total), which is the sixth-best of any team in program history. The junior collected MAC Offensive Player of the Week and was also named a Manning Award "Star of the Week," one time during the 2020 campaign.
Odukoya was selected as a team captain and named to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy in 2020. He was also a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and named to the John Mackey Award Watch List. His greatest accomplishment, however, was being selected to wear the coveted No. 2 jersey, dubbed "The Deuce," within the program, for the season. The honor, bestowed upon EMU's most deserving pass catcher, honors the late Demarius Reed, an EMU wide receiver that was tragically killed in 2013. On the field, Odukoya competed in all six games as the Eagles starting tight end in 2020. He hauled in two passes, both for touchdowns, in EMU's first game, against Kent State, Nov. 4. The scores were the first of his career. He recorded career-bests in both yards (33), and longest reception (20 yards) just one week later at Ball State, Nov. 11. Odukoya finished the season with five receptions for 48 yards and two scores.
Dubbed "one of the hardest working men," on the team by Head Coach Chris Creighton, Van Hoeven played an important role in the EMU offense in 2020. Named a Fourth Team Preseason All-MAC selection by Athlon Sports and selected to the Rimington Trophy watch list, the award given annually to the nation's best center, Van Hoeven started all six games for the Green and White as the team's center. He helped spur an EMU rushing attack that saw seven different Eagles recorded multiple attempts on the ground en route to 776 total yards and 11 of EMU's 23 offensive touchdowns in 2020. Additionally, he helped to protect Hutchinson, who racked up better than 1,600 yards through the air in just six games.
Eastern Michigan closed its 129th season of play victoriously, as it downed its Mid-American Conference and West Division foe, Northern Illinois, 41-33, Dec. 12, at "The Factory," inside Rynearson Stadium.
The game finalized what will go down as one of, if not the most unique seasons in EMU football history, as the team played just six games, all against conference opponents, to safely manage competition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike numerous teams around the MAC, EMU was lucky to play in each of its scheduled contests, finishing with a 2-4 overall record, and 2-3 mark in West Division Play.
EMU was incredibly effective in the red zone on both sides of the ball this season. Offensively, EMU ranked led the nation with a 100 percent red zone scoring clip. The Eagles produced points in 28-of-28 trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line this season, a 22.5 percent improvement over last season's efficiency. In total, 21 of EMU's red zone trips have resulted in touchdowns. Additionally, the team averaged 4.66 trips to the red zone per game in 2020, a considerable improvement from EMU's 2019 numbers (3.8 trips per game).
Defensively, the Eagles rank eighth nationally in the red zone. EMU's opponents left the red zone scoreless eight times in 28 attempts this season, making EMU the best red zone defense in the MAC.
Eastern's win over Northern Illinois bumped EMU's record in regular-season finales to 7-13 over its last 20 seasons. The win also pushed Creighton to 4-3 in such games. Before its victory over NIU, EMU's most recent win in a season-ending game came in 2018, when it defeated Kent State, 28-20, on the road, Nov. 23, 2018.
1st Team
Alvinoski LaFleur, Eastern Michigan
2nd Team
Hassan Beydoun, Eastern Michigan
Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan
Turan Rush, Eastern Michigan
Terry Myrick, Eastern Michigan
Chad Ryland, Eastern Michigan
3rd Team
Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan
Jake Julien, Eastern Michigan
4th Team
Preston Hutchinson, Eastern Michigan
Thomas Odukoya, Eastern Michigan
Mike Van Hoeven, Eastern Michigan
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team had 11 of its student-athletes named to Phil Steele Postseason All-Mid-American Conference Teams, announced Tuesday, Jan. 5. EMU's total was tied for the sixth-best among the 12 MAC schools. Western Michigan led the way with 16 selections.
Senior defensive back Alvinoski LaFleur (Lake Charles, La.-LaGrange-Coffeyville C.C.) was the lone EMU player to collect first team honors in 2020. Junior wide receiver Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn), senior linebacker Terry Myrick (Austell, Ga.-Woodward Academy), senior defensive lineman Turan Rush (Charleston West Side, W.Va.-Capital-Antelope Valley), junior kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest), and junior offensive lineman Sidy Sow (Bromont, Quebec-J-H Leclerc-Champlain Lennoxville) were each named to the second team.
Senior punter Jake Julien (Barrie, Ontario-North Collegiate) and sophomore defensive lineman Jose Ramirez (Lake Alfred, Fla.-Auburndale-Arizona-Riverside City) garnered All-MAC third team honors. Rounding out the list, junior quarterback Preston Hutchinson (Mason, Ohio-Mason), senior tight end Thomas Odukoya (Almere, Netherlands-Helen Parkhurst-Garden City C.C.) and senior offensive lineman Mike Van Hoeven (Paw Paw, Mich.-Paw Paw) earned fourth team accolades.
After seeing action in all 13 contests a season ago, LaFleur emerged as the team's starting safety in 2020. A consistent force for the defense that finished as the eighth-best red zone stop specialists in the nation, he was able to record multiple tackles in each contest. His best performance came in the form of an 11-stop day, a career-high, versus Central Michigan, Nov. 27. The Lake Charles, La. native notched his second-career interception in EMU's season-opener at Kent State, Nov. 4, and added a pick for the second consecutive week against Ball State, Nov. 11, a play in which he also recorded a career-long 54-yard return. LaFleur's interceptions in back-to-back contests marked 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 finished tied for second in the MAC with two interceptions, but led the conference in return yardage off interceptions (97 yards).
Beydoun reminded everyone that just because one starts his career as a walk-on, it does not mean he cannot be great. In fact, he was a 2020 nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the nation's best player who began his career as a walk-on. Beydoun Holds the EMU standard for receptions/game in a season at 8.0, bettering Kenny Christian's mark of 7.8 set in 2000. He had a team-best 40 receptions for 508 yards in five games this season, and finished ranked second in the MAC and eighth nationally in receptions per game (8.0). The Dearborn, Mich. native was fourth in the league and 16th nationally in receiving yards per game (101.6), and caught at least seven balls in every game this season. He posted nine catches for 112 yards against Kent State, Nov. 4, and followed it up by again hitting the century mark against Central Michigan, Nov. 27. Beydoun finished the season with a team-best three 100+ yard receiving performances, and now has four such games in his career. His four 100+ yard performances tie for third-best in program history. Additionally, he is one of just seven players in the 129-year history of the program to record at least four games in that category.
One of EMU's defensive leaders, Myrick put together his best season in the Green and White in 2020. The Greater Atlanta product started all six games as a linebacker for EMU, and finished first on the team with 67 total tackles, including 24 solo stops and 43 assists. He also led the team with 5.5 tackles-for-loss and two fumble recoveries. His two pass break-ups were good for second-best of any player on the team. Myrick also added a pair of fumble recoveries, the first two of his career, which was the best effort by any player in the league, and 12th best total in the nation. He finished fourth in the MAC and 11th nationally with an 11.2 tackles per game average, and led EMU in total tackles in four of six games during the 2020 campaign, where he recorded at least 10 stops in each.
A fixture in both EMU's run blocking and pass protection efforts, Sow was impressive in this, his junior season with the Green and White. He started all six games for Eastern Michigan at the left guard position, and helped spur an EMU rushing attack that saw seven different Eagles record multiple attempts on the ground en route to 776 total yards and 11 of EMU's 23 offensive touchdowns in 2020. Sow was also responsible for the protection of QB Preston Hutchinson, who racked up better than 1,600 yards through the air in just six games and scored eight TDs of his own on the ground.
A first-year captain for Eastern Michigan, Rush established himself as one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the MAC in 2020. The West Virginia native finished fifth in the MAC and 29th in the FBS in sacks at 0.75 per game, and had a season-best two sacks and six tackles against MAC West Division champion Ball State, Nov. 11. The third-year Eagle added sacks against Kent State, Nov. 4, Toledo, Nov. 18, and Northern Illinois, Dec. 12.
Ryland, who was awarded a scholarship prior to the start of the season, led the MAC and ranked fourth in field goals per game (1.83) in 2020. He was second in the MAC and 23rd nationally in field goal percentage at 84.6 percent (11-of-13). His most impressive kick of the season came against Ball State, Nov. 11, where he drilled a season-best 52-yarder, which is tied for the second-longest in school history. Additionally, he tied the school record with four made field goals in an upset victory of then-MAC West Division leader Western Michigan, Dec. 5. A two-time MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week in 2020, Ryland ranks third all-time in PATs made (94) and fourth in PATs attempted (98) at EMU. He is fifth in career points scored with 205, just one shy of passing Tim Henneghan (1986-89) for fourth place, and needs just 95 points to surpass Andrew Wellock (2003-06) for the most career points at 299.
A stunning omission from the MAC's official postseason award list, Julien certainly deserves recognition for his play in 2020. A nominee for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation's top-performing punter, and led the MAC in punting while ranking eighth nationally. He averaged 44.25 yards per punt with 16 punts for 708 yards, a total that would rank third in EMU if a minimum of 20 punts were reached. As a result of his stellar season, Julien is now tied with Rich Hanschu (1979-80) for first in the EMU record books with a 43.4 career punting average. He ranks eighth in EMU history with 7,383 yards punting, and is the only punter in Eastern Michigan history to record two 70+ yard punts in his career.
Ramirez appeared in each of EMU's six games in 2020, and notched his first-career tackle against Kent State, Nov. 4. He recorded at least two tackles in every appearance in 2020. Ramirez's breakout game came at Western Michigan, Dec. 5, where he set personal bests in tackles (7), tackles-for-loss (2.0), sacks (2.0), and forced fumbles (1.0). Each number in the previous categories, with the exception of his total tackles, led or tied for the team lead against Western. Ramirez was an anchor for the EMU defense that held Western Michigan's D'Wayne Eskridge, the nation's leader in all-purpose yards coming into the game (255 yards per game average) to a season-low 99 yards. The game was Eskridge's first without at least 230 all-purpose yards. Additionally, his kick return yards (30) and receiving yards (53) against EMU were season lows. The Lake Alfred, Fla. native collected MAC West Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance.
Assuming the role of quarterback in 2020 was Hutchinson, who recorded new career-highs in virtually every category. He put together an impressive junior season as he threw for 1,662 yards on 126-of-198 pass attempts, the 22nd most single-season passing yards by a QB in program history while notching two games with 300+ passing yards. The Mason, Ohio native tossed for 12 touchdowns, including a career-best four scores versus Toledo, Nov. 18, and added a career-best 87 rushing attempts for 206 yards and eight touchdowns. He ran for touchdowns in three consecutive games, the most of any EMU player this season and the 24 in program history to hit the mark, all while directing an EMU offense that amassed 2,438 total yards, good for 406.3 yards per game, the fourth-best mark of any team in program history.
Hutchinson finished the season ranked inside the top-40 nationally in 10 individual categories, including top-20 placements in passing yards per game (276.2) and total offense (308.2 yards per game). He now resides in the top-20 of four EMU record book categories, including single-game total offense (13 - 422 yards vs. CMU, Nov. 27), career pass completions (18-169), career passing yards (17 – 2,124), and single-game TD passes (T-4 – 4 vs. Toledo, Nov. 18). One of the most impressive plays of the season came when he connected with tight end Bryson Cannon for the second-longest pass play in Rynearson Stadium history (79 yards) against CMU, Nov. 27. Overall, his scoring unit averaged 22.33 first downs per game (134 total), which is the sixth-best of any team in program history. The junior collected MAC Offensive Player of the Week and was also named a Manning Award "Star of the Week," one time during the 2020 campaign.
Odukoya was selected as a team captain and named to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy in 2020. He was also a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and named to the John Mackey Award Watch List. His greatest accomplishment, however, was being selected to wear the coveted No. 2 jersey, dubbed "The Deuce," within the program, for the season. The honor, bestowed upon EMU's most deserving pass catcher, honors the late Demarius Reed, an EMU wide receiver that was tragically killed in 2013. On the field, Odukoya competed in all six games as the Eagles starting tight end in 2020. He hauled in two passes, both for touchdowns, in EMU's first game, against Kent State, Nov. 4. The scores were the first of his career. He recorded career-bests in both yards (33), and longest reception (20 yards) just one week later at Ball State, Nov. 11. Odukoya finished the season with five receptions for 48 yards and two scores.
Dubbed "one of the hardest working men," on the team by Head Coach Chris Creighton, Van Hoeven played an important role in the EMU offense in 2020. Named a Fourth Team Preseason All-MAC selection by Athlon Sports and selected to the Rimington Trophy watch list, the award given annually to the nation's best center, Van Hoeven started all six games for the Green and White as the team's center. He helped spur an EMU rushing attack that saw seven different Eagles recorded multiple attempts on the ground en route to 776 total yards and 11 of EMU's 23 offensive touchdowns in 2020. Additionally, he helped to protect Hutchinson, who racked up better than 1,600 yards through the air in just six games.
Eastern Michigan closed its 129th season of play victoriously, as it downed its Mid-American Conference and West Division foe, Northern Illinois, 41-33, Dec. 12, at "The Factory," inside Rynearson Stadium.
The game finalized what will go down as one of, if not the most unique seasons in EMU football history, as the team played just six games, all against conference opponents, to safely manage competition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike numerous teams around the MAC, EMU was lucky to play in each of its scheduled contests, finishing with a 2-4 overall record, and 2-3 mark in West Division Play.
EMU was incredibly effective in the red zone on both sides of the ball this season. Offensively, EMU ranked led the nation with a 100 percent red zone scoring clip. The Eagles produced points in 28-of-28 trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line this season, a 22.5 percent improvement over last season's efficiency. In total, 21 of EMU's red zone trips have resulted in touchdowns. Additionally, the team averaged 4.66 trips to the red zone per game in 2020, a considerable improvement from EMU's 2019 numbers (3.8 trips per game).
Defensively, the Eagles rank eighth nationally in the red zone. EMU's opponents left the red zone scoreless eight times in 28 attempts this season, making EMU the best red zone defense in the MAC.
Eastern's win over Northern Illinois bumped EMU's record in regular-season finales to 7-13 over its last 20 seasons. The win also pushed Creighton to 4-3 in such games. Before its victory over NIU, EMU's most recent win in a season-ending game came in 2018, when it defeated Kent State, 28-20, on the road, Nov. 23, 2018.
1st Team
Alvinoski LaFleur, Eastern Michigan
2nd Team
Hassan Beydoun, Eastern Michigan
Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan
Turan Rush, Eastern Michigan
Terry Myrick, Eastern Michigan
Chad Ryland, Eastern Michigan
3rd Team
Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan
Jake Julien, Eastern Michigan
4th Team
Preston Hutchinson, Eastern Michigan
Thomas Odukoya, Eastern Michigan
Mike Van Hoeven, Eastern Michigan
Players Mentioned
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