Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, October 9
Rynearson Stadium
3:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Miami
Football Has a Date With Miami for Homecoming
10/4/2021 4:11:00 PM | Football
Game 6 • Oct. 9, 2021 • 3:30 p.m. ET • Ypsilanti, Mich. • Rynearson Stadium (30,200)
| Football vs. Miami | |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 9 | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| Venue | Ypsilanti, Mich. | Rynearson Stadium |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes | Media Guide | Press Conference Video |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) | TuneIn Radio | The Varsity Network App | Eastern Insider Podcast |
| @EMUFB | @EMUAthletics | |
| Attendance Info | Homecoming Info. Tailgate Info. |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – It's time to come home! One week after beginning Mid-American Conference play at Northern Illinois during its Homecoming, the Eastern Michigan University football team returns to Rynearson Stadium Saturday, Oct. 9, for a Homecoming date of its own with MAC East Division foe Miami University. Eastern's 100th Homecoming will feature plenty of activities planned on and off campus in a week-long celebration culminating with the game between the Eagles and RedHawks at 3:30 p.m. on the gray turf inside "The Factory".
EMU is 3-2 (0-1 MAC) after falling, 27-20, in a conference-opening heartbreaker at NIU, Oct. 2. Meanwhile, MU (2-2, 1-0 MAC) is coming off a 28-17, home triumph over Central Michigan University on the same day.
The contest will be televised by ESPN+ with Michael Reghi providing the play-by-play and Je'Rod Cherry serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varaity Network app will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick calling the action on the field.
100TH HOMECOMING: Saturday marks the 100th Homecoming for Eastern Michigan University, and the 93rd time EMU has played a football game on Homecoming weekend. Homecoming began in 1920 and was originally known as Gala Days on campus before transitioning to the term homecoming in 1923. It was first incorporated with a football game beginning in 1926. No homecoming game was held in 2020 due to COVID-19, but some events remained in a virtual format last year.
EMU is 45-45-2 all-time on Homecoming, having lost its last five games on the much-anticipated weekend. Saturday's game will mark the first time EMU and Miami will square off on Homecoming.
STRAIGHT FROM THE BEAR: The EMU Office of Athletic Media Relations is no stranger to noting EMU's close-game tendencies, but ESPN's Chris Fallica, known as "The Bear" on the network's flagship pregame show, College Gameday, took to Twitter to discuss it as well.
According to Fallica, 30 of EMU's last 34 MAC games and 43 of its last 53 games overall have either been a win or a one possession loss. That trend continued with EMU's 27-20 setback at NIU, Oct. 2.
WELL…WE'RE WAITING: EMU's game at NIU, Oct. 2, was anything but ordinary. Not only did EMU experience its first road rain delay since the 2016 season (at Bowling Green, Oct. 1), but it experienced the longest delay under eighth-year Head Coach Chris Creighton, two hours, 45 minutes.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TAKEAWAYS: EMU has forced seven turnovers in 2021, and has scored points off of each (5 touchdowns, 2 field goals). That trend continued last Saturday, Oct. 2, at NIU (3 points off a recovered fumble). EMU has scored 41 points off those turnovers, once as a direct result of the play (98-yard interception-for-touchdown at Wisconsin), and four times in its subsequent offensive possession.
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 five loose balls this season, which ranks third in the MAC and 16th nationally. EMU forced and recovered one fumble at NIU, Oct. 2.
BIG DAY FOR BEYDOUN: Junior wide out Hassan Beydoun had a career day against NIU, Oct. 2. The Dearborn, Mich. native led all pass catchers with a career-high 14 grabs. With his 167 yards receiving, Beydoun racked up his sixth-career game of 100+ yards. Beydoun has accounted for six of EMU's 132 all-time 100-yard receiving efforts.
BEYDOUN IN THE RECORD BOOKS: With his 14 receptions at NIU, Oct. 2, Hasan Beydoun became the first EMU player to record 10-or-more catches since Oct. 21, 2017, when Antoine Porter did it against Western Michigan.
Additionally, Beydoun's 167-yard receiving performance is one for the record books. Tied for 19th in all-time single game reception yards, Beydoun's effort is the best for an EMU player since the 2016 season, when former Eagle Dieuly Aristilde recorded 193 on seven receptions against Miami, Oct. 29.
BALANCED PRODUCTION: Eastern Michigan's offense has been incredibly consistent from half to half this season. The Eagles have scored a total of 163 points this season, 80 of which have been registered in the first half of contest. Overall, EMU has scored 51 percent of its total points in the second half, despite recording three games thus far in which its offense has scored three consecutive touchdowns to open the contest.
HIGH-FLYING OFFENSE: Eastern Michigan's offense is the best scoring unit in the Mid-American Conference. Averaging a league-leading 32.6 points per game, EMU has put up 163 total points on 22 touchdowns, three field goals, and 22 extra points. EMU has scored three more touchdowns than the next-best team in the conference (Buffalo – 19). It total, 12 different Eagles have found the pay dirt in 2021, including four players who have scored multiple touchdowns. Sophomore Samson Evans leads all Eagles with six touchdowns, while freshman Darius Boone Jr. and senior Jawon Hamilton each have three. Evans leads all players in the MAC with 36 points in 2021.
STARTING STRONG MATTERS: Each time this season that EMU has failed to score on an opening drive of the game, it has failed to score at all in the first quarter. EMU's game at NIU, Oct. 2, marked the second such occurrence in 2021 (Sept. 11 at Wisconsin).
BRYANT'S TOP-40 RANKINGS: After another impressive passing effort at NIU, Oct. 2 (27-of-40, 338 yards, 2 TD), senior quarterback Ben Bryant now ranks 22nd nationally and first in the MAC with 9.13 yards per pass average in 2021. Additionally, he ranks in the top-40 nationally in completion percentage. Bryant's 65.8 percent clip ranks third in the MAC and 37th nationally. Bryant's current completion percentage would rank third best for any Eastern player since the turn of the century. Only Mike Glass (66.3%) in 2019 and Andy Schmitt (72.8%) in 2007 have recorded seasons with a better completion percentages since 2000.
PASSER PRESSURED AT NIU: Prior to its game at Northern Illinois, Oct. 2, EMU had not given up more than two sacks in any contest in 2021. The Eagles gave up five in the game against the Huskies, including three in the first quarter.
ANOTHER LONG ONE: Junior kicker Chad Ryland's 47-yard field goal with four seconds remaining in the first half at NIU, Oct. 2, is his longest of the year, and sixth-longest of his EMU career. Ryland is 3-for-6 on the 2021 season.
THE DEUCE IS LOOSE: Senior tight end Bryson Cannon's 42-yard touchdown reception at the 10:37 mark of the third quarter at NIU, Oct. 2, was not only his first score of the season, but his longest reception of the season and second-longest of his career. Cannon last scored a touchdown Nov. 18, 2020, versus Toledo.
CAME IN CLUTCH: Sophomore Aaron Jackson's 13-yard rushing effort in the third quarter of EMU's contest with Northern Illinois was a career-long for the sophomore tight end. Jackson was utilized as the team's Wildcat quarterback in the game. He is familiar with the position, having played QB in high school and starting his EMU career as a signal caller.
SPEIGHTS SHINES AT NIU: Junior linebacker Tariq Speights put together a career-best tackling effort against the Huskies of NIU, Oct. 2. The Valencia, Calif. native led all Eagles with 12 stops during the contest, which ties his career-high mark (vs. Central Michigan, Nov. 27, 2020). The effort was the first for Speights in which he led the team's overall tackle count in 2021.
With his effort, Speights now leads all Eagles with 30 tackles this season (7 solo, 23 assisted). He is second on the team with a pair of pass break-ups, and is one of just seven players on the roster to have at least one sack and one tackle for loss in 2021.
BIG-TIME BOGAN: After missing time due to injury earlier this season, junior defensive back Blake Bogan bounced back with a big effort at Northern Illinois, Oct. 2. The Grand Blanc, Mich. native finished the game with 11 tackles, which was the second-most of any Eagle. His 11 tackles are good for a new career-high. Previously, Bogan's best tackling effort came in the 2019 season, when he made seven stuffs vs Kent State, Nov. 29.
BEST OF BUSCHMAN: Sophomore linebacker Matthew Buschman made a big impact for Eastern Michigan in its game against Northern Illinois, Oct. 2. With the Huskies already up 17-0 nearing the end of the first half and driving into EMU territory, the Brighton, Mich. product found himself in the middle of a scuffle for a loose ball, of which he was able to recover. The fumble recovery, which is the first of his career, led to three EMU points before halftime.
GOOD SIGNS FROM SMITH: Freshman running back DJ Smith put together a nice personal effort against NIU, Oct. 2. The Dallas, Texas native led all Eagles with 26 yards rushing on three attempts. He also had the team's longest run (tied) of 13 yards. His 26 yards and 13-yard single rush are both career-bests.
SHOWING HIS HANDS: Running back Darius Boone Jr. has always been effective on the ground, but flashed his pass catching ability against Northern Illinois, Oct. 2. The Tulsa, Okla. native hauled in a career-best 45 yard reception, by far the longest of his EMU career. Although not typically involved in the passing game, Boone has been effective when targeted, amassing 66 yards (22 per catch) in those efforts.
WEAPON ON RETURNS: Senior running back Jawon Hamilton has doubled as a kick return weapon for EMU early in the 2021 season. Through five games, Hamilton has returned five kicks for 80 yards. His 16.0 yards per return average ranks fourth in the conference.
WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: A common goal in Head Coach Chris Creighton's program, Eastern has won or tied (25 wins, 3 ties) the turnover battle in 28 of its last 30 victories under Creighton. Eastern took the ball away once against NIU, Oct. 2, but failed to win the turnover battle as it also surrendered the ball once.
MUCH IMPROVED: EMU has shown signs of improvement on both sides of the ball in key situations this season. Offensively, EMU is 48 percent on third down conversions (30-of-62), up five percent from a season ago. The team is also 67 percent on fourth down tries (4-of-6).
Defensively, opponents are just 42 percent successful on fourth down tries (5-for-12), which is considerably lower than last season's 87 percent production rate (13-of-15).
FUN TO RUN: Eastern Michigan has placed an emphasis on running the rock early in the 2021 season. Through five games, 37 percent (701-of-1,884) of the team's total yardage has come via the turf, while 67 percent (14-of-21) of the team's offensive touchdowns have been via the rush. The percent of yards via the rush is the second-most of any team in the Creighton era (2014-pres.), while the 67 percentage number is the highest for the team under Creighton.
ALL-TIME VERSUS THE REDHAWKS: The Eagles and RedHawks have met just 24 times in their respective histories. The two schools first met in 1974, but have only squared off six times since 2000. MU leads the all-time series 19-5, with EMU finally snapping a nine-game skid the last time they met Nov. 15, 2017.
Prior to EMU's 27-24 win in Oxford, EMU's last victory in the series occurred in 1993, a 15-7 victory, Oct. 7. Miami's nine-game winning streak dated back to Oct. 1, 1994, when MU escaped with a 21-17 victory at Rynearson Stadium.
LAST MEETING: Quarterback Brogan Roback threw a pair of third-quarter touchdown passes to Sergio Bailey, rallying Eastern Michigan to a 27-24 victory over Miami on a Wednesday night, Nov. 15, 2017, in which the Eagles' quarterback became the school's all-time total offense leader.
Roback connected with Bailey on 32- and 10-yard touchdown passes to lead 27-17.
Ryan Smith caught an 11-yard score from Gus Ragland with two minutes remaining to get Miami within three but it failed to recover the onside kick and had no timeouts left to stop the clock.
Roback scored on a three-yard run in the first quarter before Miami's Kenny Young ran for a pair of touchdowns, six and five yards, in the second quarter with the RedHawks leading 17-13 at halftime.
Roback threw for 269 yards and ran for three, giving the senior 8,811 in his career to pass Walter Church (1996-2000) at 8,628.
Maxx Crosby had three sacks for 11 on the year, tying the Eagles' single-season record. Ian Eriksen rushed for 112 yards.
LAST TIME AT THE FACTORY: Gus Ragland had a 54-yard touchdown throw to Jared Murphy and ran in another score to lead Miami to a 28-15 win over Eastern Michigan, Oct. 29, 2016.
Ragland finished 15-of-23 for 175 yards and punched in his rushing TD from the 2 on the game's opening drive. Kenny Young made it 14-0 on the RedHawks next possession with a 54-yard touchdown run as Miami (3-6, 3-2 Mid-American Conference) notched its third-straight win.
Also scoring for the RedHawks was Alonzo Smith with a 1-yard touchdown.
In the fourth quarter, Eastern Michigan closed the gap to 28-15 with a 75-yard TD pass from Brogan Roback to Dieuly Aristilde, but the Eagles next drive stalled at the Miami 41 and an interception by Heath Harding ended their final possession at midfield.
Roback finished with 328 yards and two touchdowns, while Aristilde had a career-high 193 yards receiving.
TIES BETWEEN EMU AND MIAMI: Despite not playing on a regular basis, Eastern Michigan and Miami do have some common bonds.
On the Miami sideline, Head Coach Chuck Martin was the linebackers coach at EMU from 1998-99 before departing to Grand Valley State University. Offensive Line Coach James Patton served as the offensive line coach/run game coordinator for the Eastern Michigan Eagles for the past two years. EMU's offense was electric in 2019, amassing 5,271 total yards, 49 touchdowns, and 379 total points. Overall, the EMU offense set the program record for touchdowns in a season (49), touchdown passes in a season (27), and passes completed in a season (313).
Additionally, Darrell Hallberg, Miami's Associate AD/Sport and Facility Services, worked for four years at EMU as the department's equipment manager before departing for Oxford.
ON THE HORIZON: Following its Homecoming bout with Miami, Eastern will remain home for a MAC West-matchup with defending conference champion, Ball State University, Saturday, Oct. 16.
EMU is 3-2 (0-1 MAC) after falling, 27-20, in a conference-opening heartbreaker at NIU, Oct. 2. Meanwhile, MU (2-2, 1-0 MAC) is coming off a 28-17, home triumph over Central Michigan University on the same day.
The contest will be televised by ESPN+ with Michael Reghi providing the play-by-play and Je'Rod Cherry serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varaity Network app will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick calling the action on the field.
100TH HOMECOMING: Saturday marks the 100th Homecoming for Eastern Michigan University, and the 93rd time EMU has played a football game on Homecoming weekend. Homecoming began in 1920 and was originally known as Gala Days on campus before transitioning to the term homecoming in 1923. It was first incorporated with a football game beginning in 1926. No homecoming game was held in 2020 due to COVID-19, but some events remained in a virtual format last year.
EMU is 45-45-2 all-time on Homecoming, having lost its last five games on the much-anticipated weekend. Saturday's game will mark the first time EMU and Miami will square off on Homecoming.
STRAIGHT FROM THE BEAR: The EMU Office of Athletic Media Relations is no stranger to noting EMU's close-game tendencies, but ESPN's Chris Fallica, known as "The Bear" on the network's flagship pregame show, College Gameday, took to Twitter to discuss it as well.
According to Fallica, 30 of EMU's last 34 MAC games and 43 of its last 53 games overall have either been a win or a one possession loss. That trend continued with EMU's 27-20 setback at NIU, Oct. 2.
WELL…WE'RE WAITING: EMU's game at NIU, Oct. 2, was anything but ordinary. Not only did EMU experience its first road rain delay since the 2016 season (at Bowling Green, Oct. 1), but it experienced the longest delay under eighth-year Head Coach Chris Creighton, two hours, 45 minutes.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TAKEAWAYS: EMU has forced seven turnovers in 2021, and has scored points off of each (5 touchdowns, 2 field goals). That trend continued last Saturday, Oct. 2, at NIU (3 points off a recovered fumble). EMU has scored 41 points off those turnovers, once as a direct result of the play (98-yard interception-for-touchdown at Wisconsin), and four times in its subsequent offensive possession.
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 five loose balls this season, which ranks third in the MAC and 16th nationally. EMU forced and recovered one fumble at NIU, Oct. 2.
BIG DAY FOR BEYDOUN: Junior wide out Hassan Beydoun had a career day against NIU, Oct. 2. The Dearborn, Mich. native led all pass catchers with a career-high 14 grabs. With his 167 yards receiving, Beydoun racked up his sixth-career game of 100+ yards. Beydoun has accounted for six of EMU's 132 all-time 100-yard receiving efforts.
BEYDOUN IN THE RECORD BOOKS: With his 14 receptions at NIU, Oct. 2, Hasan Beydoun became the first EMU player to record 10-or-more catches since Oct. 21, 2017, when Antoine Porter did it against Western Michigan.
Additionally, Beydoun's 167-yard receiving performance is one for the record books. Tied for 19th in all-time single game reception yards, Beydoun's effort is the best for an EMU player since the 2016 season, when former Eagle Dieuly Aristilde recorded 193 on seven receptions against Miami, Oct. 29.
BALANCED PRODUCTION: Eastern Michigan's offense has been incredibly consistent from half to half this season. The Eagles have scored a total of 163 points this season, 80 of which have been registered in the first half of contest. Overall, EMU has scored 51 percent of its total points in the second half, despite recording three games thus far in which its offense has scored three consecutive touchdowns to open the contest.
HIGH-FLYING OFFENSE: Eastern Michigan's offense is the best scoring unit in the Mid-American Conference. Averaging a league-leading 32.6 points per game, EMU has put up 163 total points on 22 touchdowns, three field goals, and 22 extra points. EMU has scored three more touchdowns than the next-best team in the conference (Buffalo – 19). It total, 12 different Eagles have found the pay dirt in 2021, including four players who have scored multiple touchdowns. Sophomore Samson Evans leads all Eagles with six touchdowns, while freshman Darius Boone Jr. and senior Jawon Hamilton each have three. Evans leads all players in the MAC with 36 points in 2021.
STARTING STRONG MATTERS: Each time this season that EMU has failed to score on an opening drive of the game, it has failed to score at all in the first quarter. EMU's game at NIU, Oct. 2, marked the second such occurrence in 2021 (Sept. 11 at Wisconsin).
BRYANT'S TOP-40 RANKINGS: After another impressive passing effort at NIU, Oct. 2 (27-of-40, 338 yards, 2 TD), senior quarterback Ben Bryant now ranks 22nd nationally and first in the MAC with 9.13 yards per pass average in 2021. Additionally, he ranks in the top-40 nationally in completion percentage. Bryant's 65.8 percent clip ranks third in the MAC and 37th nationally. Bryant's current completion percentage would rank third best for any Eastern player since the turn of the century. Only Mike Glass (66.3%) in 2019 and Andy Schmitt (72.8%) in 2007 have recorded seasons with a better completion percentages since 2000.
PASSER PRESSURED AT NIU: Prior to its game at Northern Illinois, Oct. 2, EMU had not given up more than two sacks in any contest in 2021. The Eagles gave up five in the game against the Huskies, including three in the first quarter.
ANOTHER LONG ONE: Junior kicker Chad Ryland's 47-yard field goal with four seconds remaining in the first half at NIU, Oct. 2, is his longest of the year, and sixth-longest of his EMU career. Ryland is 3-for-6 on the 2021 season.
THE DEUCE IS LOOSE: Senior tight end Bryson Cannon's 42-yard touchdown reception at the 10:37 mark of the third quarter at NIU, Oct. 2, was not only his first score of the season, but his longest reception of the season and second-longest of his career. Cannon last scored a touchdown Nov. 18, 2020, versus Toledo.
CAME IN CLUTCH: Sophomore Aaron Jackson's 13-yard rushing effort in the third quarter of EMU's contest with Northern Illinois was a career-long for the sophomore tight end. Jackson was utilized as the team's Wildcat quarterback in the game. He is familiar with the position, having played QB in high school and starting his EMU career as a signal caller.
SPEIGHTS SHINES AT NIU: Junior linebacker Tariq Speights put together a career-best tackling effort against the Huskies of NIU, Oct. 2. The Valencia, Calif. native led all Eagles with 12 stops during the contest, which ties his career-high mark (vs. Central Michigan, Nov. 27, 2020). The effort was the first for Speights in which he led the team's overall tackle count in 2021.
With his effort, Speights now leads all Eagles with 30 tackles this season (7 solo, 23 assisted). He is second on the team with a pair of pass break-ups, and is one of just seven players on the roster to have at least one sack and one tackle for loss in 2021.
BIG-TIME BOGAN: After missing time due to injury earlier this season, junior defensive back Blake Bogan bounced back with a big effort at Northern Illinois, Oct. 2. The Grand Blanc, Mich. native finished the game with 11 tackles, which was the second-most of any Eagle. His 11 tackles are good for a new career-high. Previously, Bogan's best tackling effort came in the 2019 season, when he made seven stuffs vs Kent State, Nov. 29.
BEST OF BUSCHMAN: Sophomore linebacker Matthew Buschman made a big impact for Eastern Michigan in its game against Northern Illinois, Oct. 2. With the Huskies already up 17-0 nearing the end of the first half and driving into EMU territory, the Brighton, Mich. product found himself in the middle of a scuffle for a loose ball, of which he was able to recover. The fumble recovery, which is the first of his career, led to three EMU points before halftime.
GOOD SIGNS FROM SMITH: Freshman running back DJ Smith put together a nice personal effort against NIU, Oct. 2. The Dallas, Texas native led all Eagles with 26 yards rushing on three attempts. He also had the team's longest run (tied) of 13 yards. His 26 yards and 13-yard single rush are both career-bests.
SHOWING HIS HANDS: Running back Darius Boone Jr. has always been effective on the ground, but flashed his pass catching ability against Northern Illinois, Oct. 2. The Tulsa, Okla. native hauled in a career-best 45 yard reception, by far the longest of his EMU career. Although not typically involved in the passing game, Boone has been effective when targeted, amassing 66 yards (22 per catch) in those efforts.
WEAPON ON RETURNS: Senior running back Jawon Hamilton has doubled as a kick return weapon for EMU early in the 2021 season. Through five games, Hamilton has returned five kicks for 80 yards. His 16.0 yards per return average ranks fourth in the conference.
WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: A common goal in Head Coach Chris Creighton's program, Eastern has won or tied (25 wins, 3 ties) the turnover battle in 28 of its last 30 victories under Creighton. Eastern took the ball away once against NIU, Oct. 2, but failed to win the turnover battle as it also surrendered the ball once.
MUCH IMPROVED: EMU has shown signs of improvement on both sides of the ball in key situations this season. Offensively, EMU is 48 percent on third down conversions (30-of-62), up five percent from a season ago. The team is also 67 percent on fourth down tries (4-of-6).
Defensively, opponents are just 42 percent successful on fourth down tries (5-for-12), which is considerably lower than last season's 87 percent production rate (13-of-15).
FUN TO RUN: Eastern Michigan has placed an emphasis on running the rock early in the 2021 season. Through five games, 37 percent (701-of-1,884) of the team's total yardage has come via the turf, while 67 percent (14-of-21) of the team's offensive touchdowns have been via the rush. The percent of yards via the rush is the second-most of any team in the Creighton era (2014-pres.), while the 67 percentage number is the highest for the team under Creighton.
ALL-TIME VERSUS THE REDHAWKS: The Eagles and RedHawks have met just 24 times in their respective histories. The two schools first met in 1974, but have only squared off six times since 2000. MU leads the all-time series 19-5, with EMU finally snapping a nine-game skid the last time they met Nov. 15, 2017.
Prior to EMU's 27-24 win in Oxford, EMU's last victory in the series occurred in 1993, a 15-7 victory, Oct. 7. Miami's nine-game winning streak dated back to Oct. 1, 1994, when MU escaped with a 21-17 victory at Rynearson Stadium.
LAST MEETING: Quarterback Brogan Roback threw a pair of third-quarter touchdown passes to Sergio Bailey, rallying Eastern Michigan to a 27-24 victory over Miami on a Wednesday night, Nov. 15, 2017, in which the Eagles' quarterback became the school's all-time total offense leader.
Roback connected with Bailey on 32- and 10-yard touchdown passes to lead 27-17.
Ryan Smith caught an 11-yard score from Gus Ragland with two minutes remaining to get Miami within three but it failed to recover the onside kick and had no timeouts left to stop the clock.
Roback scored on a three-yard run in the first quarter before Miami's Kenny Young ran for a pair of touchdowns, six and five yards, in the second quarter with the RedHawks leading 17-13 at halftime.
Roback threw for 269 yards and ran for three, giving the senior 8,811 in his career to pass Walter Church (1996-2000) at 8,628.
Maxx Crosby had three sacks for 11 on the year, tying the Eagles' single-season record. Ian Eriksen rushed for 112 yards.
LAST TIME AT THE FACTORY: Gus Ragland had a 54-yard touchdown throw to Jared Murphy and ran in another score to lead Miami to a 28-15 win over Eastern Michigan, Oct. 29, 2016.
Ragland finished 15-of-23 for 175 yards and punched in his rushing TD from the 2 on the game's opening drive. Kenny Young made it 14-0 on the RedHawks next possession with a 54-yard touchdown run as Miami (3-6, 3-2 Mid-American Conference) notched its third-straight win.
Also scoring for the RedHawks was Alonzo Smith with a 1-yard touchdown.
In the fourth quarter, Eastern Michigan closed the gap to 28-15 with a 75-yard TD pass from Brogan Roback to Dieuly Aristilde, but the Eagles next drive stalled at the Miami 41 and an interception by Heath Harding ended their final possession at midfield.
Roback finished with 328 yards and two touchdowns, while Aristilde had a career-high 193 yards receiving.
TIES BETWEEN EMU AND MIAMI: Despite not playing on a regular basis, Eastern Michigan and Miami do have some common bonds.
On the Miami sideline, Head Coach Chuck Martin was the linebackers coach at EMU from 1998-99 before departing to Grand Valley State University. Offensive Line Coach James Patton served as the offensive line coach/run game coordinator for the Eastern Michigan Eagles for the past two years. EMU's offense was electric in 2019, amassing 5,271 total yards, 49 touchdowns, and 379 total points. Overall, the EMU offense set the program record for touchdowns in a season (49), touchdown passes in a season (27), and passes completed in a season (313).
Additionally, Darrell Hallberg, Miami's Associate AD/Sport and Facility Services, worked for four years at EMU as the department's equipment manager before departing for Oxford.
ON THE HORIZON: Following its Homecoming bout with Miami, Eastern will remain home for a MAC West-matchup with defending conference champion, Ball State University, Saturday, Oct. 16.
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