EMU Travels to Toledo Tuesday, Nov. 2, to Kickoff #MACtion

Football at Toledo
Date	Tuesday, Nov. 2 \| 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue	Toledo, Ohio \| Glass Bowl
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Media Guide \| Press Conference Video
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	ESPN2
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| TuneIn Radio \| The Varsity Network App \| Eastern Insider Podcast
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics

TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – After a 10-day break, the Eastern Michigan University football team will be back in #MACtion when it heads to the Glass City for the first of three consecutive Tuesday night affairs, starting with the University of Toledo, Nov. 2. The Eagles and Rockets will kick off at 7:30 p.m. inside the Glass Bowl.
   A game with major implications, Eastern (5-3, 2-2 MAC) aims to become bowl eligible yet again with a win. The Eagles dominated Bowling Green, 55-24, in their most recent contest, Oct. 23. Meanwhile, Toledo (4-4, 2-2 MAC) hopes to maintain the momentum it built against Western Michigan on the same day, after handling the Broncos, 34-15, at home.
   The game will be televised on ESPN2 with John Schriffen providing the play-by-play and Rene Ingoglia serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network app will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick calling the action from the field.

THE RETURN OF #MACTION: EMU's clash with Bowling Green, Oct. 23, was the last regular season Saturday game of the year for the Green and White as it turns its attention to midweek conference games, known as #MACtion. The Eagles' next three games will be played on Tuesday nights, beginning with EMU's game at Toledo, Nov. 2, and finishing with home games against Ohio, Nov. 9, and Western Michigan, Nov. 16.

WITH A WIN: A win over Toledo would give Eastern Michigan bowl eligibility for the fourth time in the previous five full seasons, and just the sixth time in program history. A win would also give EMU bowl eligibility in three consecutive seasons for the first time in program history (excluding COVID-shortened 2020 season).

CLOSING IN NOVEMBER: EMU is 10-8 in the month of November the last five years. In the five seasons prior, Eastern combined for a total of seven wins during the entire 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 campaigns. Furthermore, if you exclude last year's COVID-adjusted season when the schedule began in November, then EMU's winning percentage jumps to .714 (10-4).

FEW AND FAR BETWEEN: EMU is off to a 5-3 start for the first time since 2016. EMU has won five of its first eight games two times under eighth-year Head Coach Chris Creighton. Prior to Creighton's arrival, the Green and White had not accomplished the feat since the 1995 season.

FAST TO FIVE: EMU has five wins in its first eight games for the 36th time in its 130-season history. Just seven of those hot starts have come since Eastern began play as a member of the Mid-American Conference in 1976. In its time as a MAC member, just 11 EMU teams have reached five-or-more wins for the entirety of a season. Chris Creighton has led five of those teams, including this year's squad.

BIG WIN OVER BOWLING GREEN: With its 55-24 win over Bowling Green, EMU has now taken three consecutive contests against the Falcons, dating back to 2016. Prior to its current stretch, EMU had not bested BGSU in three straight games since it did so in consecutive seasons between 1987-89. Additionally, EMU's 55 points scored were the most it has ever scored against Bowling Green. EMU's previous best against the Falcons came more than a century ago, when it scored 45 against BG, Oct. 12, 1920.

HIGH-SCORING HISTORY: EMU's 55 points at Bowling Green are the 10th most points in a single game in program history and the third-most by an EMU team on the road. Eastern scored 62 points at Akron, Nov. 24, 2001, and 56 at Northeastern, Nov. 1, 1969. EMU's highest single-game point total is 76, which was scored against Toledo A.A., Nov. 3, 1894.

MOST OVER A MAC: Eastern's 31-point margin of victory at BGSU, Oct. 23, was the most for the team over a MAC opponent since it defeated Northern Illinois by a margin of 28 points, 45-17, Nov. 19, 2019. The 31-point margin is the second-largest against a fellow MAC school under eighth-year Head Coach Chris Creighton (42 vs. Ball State, Nov. 2, 2017).

TWO TIMES 20: EMU scored 20+ points in back-to-back quarters (24 - 2nd, 23 - 3rd) in its game at Bowling Green, Oct. 23, something it has never accomplished in the modern statistical era (1999-Present). Prior to the contest against BGSU, EMU had not scored 20+ in two quarters in a game since 2016, when it did so against Mississippi Valley State (21- 1st, 26- 3rd), Sept. 2.
   Additionally, EMU's 24 second-quarter points were the most for the team in a 15-minute block since it put up the same number in its game against Northern Illinois, Nov. 19, 2019.

BLOCK, RUN, SCORE: Freshman tight end Jere Getzinger became the first EMU player to block a punt since Sept. 21, 2019 when he did so with 3:35 left in the second quarter against Bowling Green. His teammate and fellow freshman, David Carter Jr. was able to secure the kick and return it 42 yards for an EMU touchdown. Carter is the first Eagle to return a blocked punt for a TD since Mathew Sexton did it against Central Connecticut in 2019.

BIG-TIME BLOCKERS: EMU has now blocked 17 total kicks (punt, FG, extra point) since the start of the 2014 season. David Carter Jr.'s punt block-TD at BGSU, Oct. 23, is the fourth for EMU during that span. Furthermore, special teams coordinator Jay Nunez and company have now blocked at least one kick a year dating back to the 2016 season.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TAKEAWAYS: EMU has forced 10 turnovers in 2021, and has scored points off of each (7 touchdowns, 3 field goals). EMU has scored 58 points off those turnovers, twice as a direct result of the play, and nine times in its subsequent offensive possession. The Eagles turned two turnovers into touchdowns in their most recent contest, at BGSU, Oct. 23.

WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: A common goal in Head Coach Chris Creighton's program, Eastern has won or tied (26 wins, 4 ties) the turnover battle in 30 of its last 32 victories under Creighton. EMU won the turnover battle, 2-1, against Bowling Green, Oct. 23.

BEST IN CONFERENCE PLAY: The Eagles put together their best collective offensive performance against a conference foe this season at BGSU, Oct. 23. Conference-season-highs were set in the following categories: points (55), first down differential (+6), rushing yards (130), offensive turnovers (0), completion percentage (76.9%), fewest penalties (3), total yards (455), and return yards (157).

BACK ON TRACK IN THE RED ZONE: EMU has been perfect in the red zone during its last three games. The Eagles have produced points on 11-of-11 red zone trips since the Miami game, Oct. 9. In total, eight of the scores have been of the touchdown variety, while three have been field goals.
   Eastern is 29-of-33 in the red zone this season, which is fourth in the MAC and 45th nationally. Last year, EMU was a perfect 28-for-28 inside the red line.

SEVEN STRONG: Seven different Eagles were able to find the pay dirt at Bowling Green, Oct. 23. Six different offensive players (RB - 1, QB - 1, Wide Out - 1, Tight End - 2), and one defensive player (Safety David Carter Jr.) tallied scores for the Green and White, a number that ties EMU's season high (vs. Texas State, Sept. 25).

STILL THROWING DARTS: Senior quarterback Ben Bryant put together another impressive passing performance for the Green and White against BGSU, Oct. 23. He completed 76.9 percent (20-of-26) of his passes against the Falcons, averaging 11 yards per attempt. That number is a career high for Bryant.
   The effort came just one week after Bryant completed a season-best 35 passes in the game, vs. Ball State, Oct. 16. With that effort, Bryant became the first EMU passer to amass 30+ completions in a contest since Oct. 19, 2019, when Preston Hutchinson did it against Western Michigan.

GASHED BY GUNNAR: Junior tight end Gunnar Oakes had a career day against BGSU, Oct. 23. He recorded a career-high four catches for a career-high 79 yards against the Falcons. His previous high in receptions and yards (3, for 48) came in a game against Toledo, Oct. 26, 2019. Oakes recorded his first touchdown of the season when Bryant found him on a 37-dart early in the third quarter. The reception marks Oakes' first score in better than three calendar years; prior to the game, his last score came on Oct. 6, 2018, against Western Michigan. The 37-yard catch is the third-longest of his career.

BRYSON IS A BAD MAN: Senior tight end Byrson Cannon had a career day of his own at Bowling Green, Oct. 23. With his 31-yard touchdown reception with 14:16 remaining in the second quarter, Cannon recorded his career-best third score of the season. One offensive play later, he was the benefactor of a 25-yard strike from QB Ben Bryant, a catch which put Cannon at 225 yards receiving for the season, a new career-high.

DRUMMOND ADDS ANOTHER: One of the best scoring threats in the MAC, junior wideout Dylan Drummond added another efficient performance to his resume at BGSU, Oct. 23. The Cleveland, Ohio native led all Eagles with six receptions, good for 63 total yards. Additionally, he added a 16-yard touchdown reception, his fourth of the season. Drummond's four receiving scores leads the Eagles in 2021.

FOUR-STRAIGHT SCORES: EMU twice scored on four-straight possessions against BGSU, Oct. 23. The game against the Falcons marks the first time since Dec. 5, 2020 at Western Michigan that EMU has put together four-or-more consecutive scoring drives two-or-more times during a game.
   EMU's single-game high for consecutive scoring drives this season is five, an accomplishment it notched against Texas State, Sept. 25.

NEW MARK FOR EVANS: Already the team's leader in total touchdowns (7), sophomore running back Samson Evans continued to improve against Bowling Green, Oct. 23. Evans rushed for a season-best 42 yards on eight attempts against the Falcons. His effort also included a season-best 19-yard burst.    In addition to his strong game rushing, Evans also showed his passing ability against BGSU. Furthermore, his 2-for-2 effort in the game (both on deception plays), he was able to record his first-ever passing touchdown when he hit Dyland Drummond on a 16-yard strike in the third quarter. In doing so, he became the first non-quarterback to throw for a TD for EMU since Drummond himself did it against Texas State, Sept. 25.

BALL SECURITY IS A STRENGTH: In addition to being one of the nation's best teams at recovering fumbles, EMU is also one of the best teams at holding on to the ball. EMU has lost a fumble just twice this season. That number is the best among any team in the Mid-American Conference and ranks 11th in the nation.

RECOVERING FUMBLES: Eastern Michigan has been one of the best teams in the nation when it comes to recovering fumbles in 2021. The Eagles have picked up six loose balls this season, which ranks fourth in the MAC and 25th nationally.

RIGHT ON, RYLAND: Junior kicker Chad Ryland continues to prove he is one of the best assets in the conference. Ryland was a perfect 2-for-2 on FG attempts against Bowling Green, Oct. 23, making from 40, and 47 yards, which tied his season-long. After starting the season just 3-for-6, the Lebanon, Pa. native has hit his stride, knocking in his last five attempts and seven of his last eight overall. Ryland is now 8-for-11 on the season, and has hit three 47-yarders on the year.

RUSS RISES UP: Junior safety Russell Vaden IV, playing in just his second game after returning from a Week One injury, came up big for the EMU defense at Bowling Green, Oct. 25. The Louisville, Ky. native recorded his second interception of the season when he picked off BGSU's quarterback during the Falcon's first possession of the second half.

PEAVY PERFORMS AGAIN: Freshman defensive back T.J. Peavy, who defensive coordinator Neal Neathery has called "the most improved player on the EMU defense," was solid yet again in EMU's game at Bowling Green, Oct. 23. The Fayetteville, Ga. native tallied a team-best five stops.
   Peavy has now led EMU in single-game tackling twice this season, and ranks tied-for-second on the team with 40 total tackles.

HANDS IN THE AIR: After tallying just 14 total pass break-ups in EMU's first five contests, the EMU defense has gotten more involved in disrupting the airwaves of opponents in its last three contests. EMU has 14 more PBUs in that span, including six in its most recent game, at BGSU, Oct. 23.

RED-HOT RETURNS: In addition to a special teams effort that included a recovered fumble and a blocked punt-touchdown at BGSU, Oct. 23, the EMU return team was also spectacular. The unit combined to record a season-best 157 returns yards (78 - punt, 79- KO return).
   Individually, David Carter Jr. led the way with his 42-yard punt return, while junior Hassan Beydoun tallied 47 yards on a pair of kickoff returns.

MORE THAN FINE ON FOURTH: Both the EMU offense and defense have been successful on fourth down plays in 2021. As an offense, the Eagles have converted 64 percent (7-of-11) of their fourth down tries. That number is good for second in the MAC and 36th nationally.
   Defensively, Eastern has held its opponents to just 38 percent (5-of-13) on its fourth down tries, which ranks second in the MAC and 29th nationally.

MOVING THE CHAINS: No team in the Mid-American Conference is more successful on third down than Eastern Michigan. As an offense, Eastern converts 48 percent (49-of-103) of its third down tries. That number ranks 16th in the nation. EMU was 7-of-12 in its most recent contest, against Bowling Green, Oct. 23.
   EMU has converted 60 percent of its third-and-short attempts (12-of-20), 64 percent of its third-and-medium tries (24-of-37), and 28 percent of its third-and-long attempts (13-of-46).

HIGH-FLYING OFFENSE: Eastern Michigan's offense is the best scoring unit in the Mid-American Conference. Averaging 32.8 points per game, EMU has put up 262 total points on 34 touchdowns, eight field goals, and 34 extra points. In total, 13 different Eagles have found the pay dirt in 2021, including five players who have scored multiple touchdowns. Sophomore Samson Evans leads all Eagles with seven touchdowns, while freshman Darius Boone Jr. has six.

STARTING STRONG MATTERS: Each time this season that EMU has failed to score on an opening drive of the game (five times in eight games), it has failed to score at all in the first quarter. That trend continued against Bowling Green, Oct. 23.

BRYANT'S NATIONAL RANKINGS: Senior quarterback Ben Bryant ranks first in the MAC and 16th nationally with a 69 percent completion clip in 2021. Furthermore, he ranks first in the MAC and 31st nationally with an 8.5 yards per pass attempt average in 2021. He also ranks inside the nation's top-50 (35th) in passing efficiency (152). Bryant's current completion percentage would rank second-best for any Eastern player since the turn of the century. Only Andy Schmitt (72.8%) in 2007 has recorded a season with a better completion percentage since 2000.

PLAYING DISCIPLINED: EMU has been one of the most disciplined teams in the country thus far in
2021. The Eagles rank third in the nation in fewest penalty yards per game (32), second in fewest penalties per game (3.75), fifth in fewest total penalties (30), and sixth in fewest total penalty yards (256).

SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS: EMU's 43.58 net yards per punt ranks first in the MAC and 10th nationally. In addition to that number, EMU's kick return defense is also top-30 in the country, allowing just 17.5 return yards per game in 2021 to rank 21st nationally and fourth in the MAC.

BEY-DO-IN HIS THING: Junior wideout Hassan Beydoun continues to be a great source of production for the EMU offense in 2021. The Dearborn, Mich. native hauled in a team-leading 12 passes for 81 yards against Ball State, Oct. 16. The 12 receptions are the most an Eagle has notched since Beydoun secured a career-high 14, at Northern Illinois, Oct. 2.
   Beydoun ranks second in the MAC (20th nationally) with 6.0 receptions per game, and sits at seventh in both receiving yards (533) and eighth receiving yards per game (66.6).

CONTINUING TO FLUSH IT: For the past four 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 35 of the last 63 (56%) contests decided by seven points-or-less.
   Of those contests, eight have been decided in overtime with 19 coming down to the final play.

STRAIGHT FROM THE BEAR: According to ESPN's Chris Fallica, 33 of EMU's last 37 MAC games and 46 of its last 56 games overall have either been a win or a one-possession loss.

OH SO CLOSE: It is hard to argue that EMU is one of the most made-for-TV programs in college football in recent years. The Eagles have played in 38 one-score games since the beginning of 2016, and hold a 16-22 record in those contests. The 22 losses have been by an average of just 5.3 points, and nine of the losses have been by three points-or-less. A total of 19 of the 38 one-score games since 2016 have been decided by three points or less.
   According to ESPN, only one team in the country has recorded more one-possession losses than Eastern since 2018. Nebraska has 17 losses of the sort, while EMU and North Carolina each have 14 in that span.

ALL-TIME VS. TOLEDO: Separated by just 49 miles, the Eagles and Rockets will be meeting for the 49th time on Tuesday, Nov. 2. UT holds a 36-12 edge in the series, which began in 1923 when the Rockets claimed a 13-0 victory. Toledo took last year's matchup, 45-28, Nov. 18, 2020, at The Factory.
   Eastern has not beaten Toledo inside the Glass Bowl in over two decades. The last time EMU came away victorious in Toledo was Oct. 23, 1999, when the Eagles beat the Rockets, 20-13. EMU has lost 10 consecutive road matchups against Toledo.

EMU LOOKING TO END THE STREAK IN THE GLASS CITY: The Green and White's last victory at the Glass Bowl came Oct. 23, 1999, when Walter Church guided EMU to a 20-13 upset of UT. In that contest, Church threw for 210 yards on 20-of-29 passing, while Lincoln Dupree recorded a 58-yard interception return for a touchdown just before halftime that proved to be the difference in the seven-point decision.

RECAPPING LAST YEAR'S MATCHUP: Quarterback Preston Hutchison completed 25-of-38 pass attempts for 244 yards and four touchdowns while Hassan Beydoun grabbed eight receptions for 64 yards, but ultimately, the Rocket proved too strong in a 45-28 decision, Nov. 18, 2020.
    Down 14-0, EMU rallied to make it 14-7 early in the second quarter. Toledo took over from there, as it held a 24-7 lead heading into the break. EMU was never able to catch up, matching Toledo in total points (21) in the second half.

LAST TIME AT THE GLASS BOWL: Eastern fought from 21 points down in the third quarter to force overtime at the Glass Bowl, Oct. 26, 2019. 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, Mike 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 Drew Rosi, ending the game, 37-34.

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern returns home for another week of #MACtion Tuesday, Nov. 9. The Eagles will play host to the Bobcats of Ohio. A busy day for EMU Athletics, both the men's and women's basketball team's begin their reasons that day. The men take on Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. while the women are set to host Youngstown State.

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Players Mentioned

Hassan Beydoun

Darius Boone Jr.

Ben Bryant

David Carter Jr.

Dylan Drummond

Samson Evans

Preston Hutchinson

Gunnar Oakes

T.J. Peavy

Chad Ryland

Russell Vaden IV

Eastern Michigan Athletics