#MACtion Returns to Ypsilanti Tuesday, Nov. 9, on ESPN2

Football vs. Ohio
Date	Tuesday, Nov. 9 \| 8 p.m. ET
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Rynearson Stadium
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

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – One week after its historic, bowl-qualifying road win at Toledo, the Eastern Michigan University football team is set to return home for more Tuesday night #MACtion, this time playing host to Ohio, Nov. 9. The game is set to kick off at 8 p.m. at "The Factory" inside Rynearson Stadium.
   Eastern Michigan (6-3, 3-2 MAC) is riding high after beating the Rockets, 52-49, to claim its first win inside UT's Glass Bowl Stadium since the 1999 season and earn bowl eligibility in the process, Nov. 2. Meanwhile, Ohio (2-7, 2-3 MAC) is back on the field following what was arguably its best win of the season, a 35-33 thriller over rival Miami on the same day.
   The game will be televised on ESPN2 with Matt Schick providing the play-by-play and Charles Arbuckle 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.

LET THE GOOD TIMES BOWL: With its 52-49 win over Toledo, Nov. 2, Eastern Michigan is bowl eligible for the fourth time in the previous five full seasons, and just the sixth time in program history. EMU has now claimed bowl eligibility in three consecutive seasons for the first time in program history (excluding COVID-shortened 2020 season).

JUST 29: EMU has six wins for just the 29th time in the 130-year program history, and just the 10th time since the team began MAC play in 1976. Chris Creighton has led four of those teams since 2016.

QUICK TO SIX: EMU is off to a 6-3 start for the first time in the Chris Creighton era (2016-Pres.). Prior to the 2021 season, EMU had not won six of its first nine games since the 1989 campaign, when the Green and White began the season 6-2-1 en route to a 7-3-1 overall record and a 6-2 MAC mark.

CONTINUING TO FLUSH IT: Eastern'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 39 of the last 66 (59%) contests decided by eight points-or-less. Eight games have been decided in overtime with 19 coming down to the final play.

OH SO CLOSE: The Eagles have played in 39 one-score games since the beginning of the 2016 season, and hold a 17-22 record in those contests. The setbacks have been by an average of just 5.3 points. Overall, 20 of the 39 games have been decided by three points-or-less.
    According to ESPN, since 2018 only one team has recorded more one-possession heartbreaks – Nebraska. The Huskers have 17 losses of the sort, while EMU and North Carolina each have 14 in that span.

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, 34 of EMU's last 38 MAC games and 47 of its last 57 games overall have either been a win or a one-possession loss. That trend continued with EMU's 52-49 triumph over Toledo, Nov. 2.

HOW ABOUT THIS TREND: It's no secret that EMU has improved its winning percentage in recent years. EMU is currently at a .667 clip (6-of-9) in 2021, which is on pace to be the team's best finish in the 21st century. Zach Shaw, a writer for 247Sports and CBS Sports took to Twitter to illustrate the impressive trends under the last eight years with Chris Creighton at the helm of the program.

CLOSING IN NOVEMBER: EMU is 11-8 in the month of November the last six 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, EMU's winning percentage jumps to .733 (11-4).

COOKING UP 50-BURGERS: With 52 points against the Rockets, Eastern has now hung 50+ points in back-to-back games for the first time since 2008 when EMU fell to Temple, 55-52, Nov. 22, and defeated Central Michigan, 56-52, Nov. 29.

THREE AT 30+: In scoring 30+ points against the Rockets, Nov. 2, EMU has now scored 30+ points in three straight games for the first time since the 2004 season. EMU put up 41 against Idaho, 31 at Ball State, and 35 on the road at Western Michigan in weeks four-seven, respectively.

GOT IT DONE AT THE GLASS BOWL: With its 52-49 decision over the Rockets, Nov. 2, EMU secured its first victory inside the Glass Bowl (UT's home stadium) since the 1999 season. Coming into the game, Eastern had lost 10 consecutive road games to Toledo.

MOST EVER AGAINST UT: EMU's 52-point performance against Toledo marks the highest scoring total against the Rockets in the 49-game history between the two schools. Eastern's previous high came in 2012, when the Eagles put up 47 points. The 52 points ties for the seventh-most in a single game by any team in the MAC this season.

LUCKY NO. 13: EMU's win over Toledo was the 13th for the program over the Rockets (13-36). Coming into the contest, the Green and White had lost 18 of the previous 20 matchups.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TAKEAWAYS: EMU has forced 13 turnovers in 2021, and has scored points off of 12 (9 touchdowns, 3 field goals). EMU has scored 72 points off those turnovers, twice as a direct result of the play, and 11 times in its subsequent offensive possession. The Eagles turned two turnovers into a touchdown against Toledo, Nov. 2.

WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: A common goal in Head Coach Chris Creighton's program, Eastern has won or tied (27 wins, 4 ties) the turnover battle in 31 of its last 33 victories under Creighton. EMU won the turnover battle, 3-1, against Toledo, Nov. 2.

THE NEAL NEATHERY EFFECT: Prior to EMU Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery's arrival in 2016, the Eagles recorded four-or-more sacks in a game just eight times in the 10 previous seasons. Under his direction, Eastern has accomplished the feat 14 times, including last week against Toledo. EMU racked up a season-best five sacks for 29 yards against the Rockets.

CAN'T STOP JOSE: Sophomore defensive end Jose Ramirez put together a career-best effort against Toledo, Nov. 2. The Lake Alfred, Fla. native led all Eagles in the following categories: tackles (10), sacks (2.0), TFLs (3.0), forced fumbles (1), quarterback hurries (1 - tied for first). The 10 tackles sets a career-high for Ramirez, while his two sacks tied for a career-best, set last year at Western Michigan, Dec. 5.

NO FLY ZONE: Eastern Michigan has allowed opponents to catch just 10-of-26 passes in close and late situations this season. The 39 percent reception rate is second-best among Group of Five Teams.

HANDS IN THE AIR: After tallying just 14 total pass break-ups in EMU's first five contests, the EMU defense has improved in disrupting the airwaves of opponents in its last four contests. EMU has 17 more PBUs in that span, including four in its most recent game, at Toledo, Nov. 2.

HOW ABOUT HASSAN?: Junior wide out Hassan Beydoun was electric in EMU's win at Toledo, Nov. 2. Beydoun finished the game with a career-high 197 reception yards on 12 catches. Additionally, Beydoun's effort is the 14th best by any player in the NCAA this season. The single-game high belongs to Texas' Xavier Worthy (261 vs. Oklahoma). The 197 yards is the most by any Eagle receiver in a game this year, and the second-best effort by any player in the MAC.
   The Dearborn, Mich. native hauled in a season-long 64 yard touchdown in EMU's opening drive of the second half against the Rockets. The reception was the second-longest of Beydoun's career, just two yards shy of the 66-yard catch he recorded at Western Michigan, Dec. 5, 2020.

ONE OF THREE: Hassan Beydoun has recorded three games with 10+ catches this season. He is currently one of only three players in the NCAA to have three-or-more such games (Jerreth Sterns - Western Ky.; Drake London - Southern California).

ELITE COMPANY: After his impressive 197-yard performance against Toledo, Hassan Beydoun now has seven games with 100+ yards receiving at Eastern. He is one of only three players in program history to have hit that mark, joining Eric Deslauriers (14 total) and Kevin Walter (12 total).

BEY-DO-IN HIS THING: Hassan Beydoun ranks second in the MAC (14th nationally) with 7.1 receptions per game, and sits at third in the conference in receiving yards (730) and fourth in receiving yards per game (81.1).

FASTEST SCORING START: EMU's game-opening drive at Toledo, Nov. 2, saw the team take the ball at the 13:33 mark and score with 10:53 on the clock. The 2:40 drive is the fastest game-opening scoring drive of the season for the team.

BIG TIME RUSH: Senior running back Jawon Hamilton and freshman runner Darius Boone Jr. both eclipsed the 50-yard mark on the ground with 64 and 63, respectively, against Toledo, Nov. 2. For Eastern, this was the first time it saw two rushers reach the 50-yard plateau in the same game since week four against Texas State, Sept. 25.

SPECIAL PLAY ON SPECIAL TEAMS: EMU junior defensive back Blake Bogan made the most of his special teams opportunities against the Rockets, Nov. 2. With 3:30 on the clock in the first quarter, Bogan recovered a muffed punt by Toledo. The fumble recovery was the first for Bogan since the 2020 campaign, when he picked up a loose ball against the same Rockets, Nov. 18 in Ypsilanti.

BIG GAME BEN: Senior quarterback Ben Bryant put together an impressive game at Toledo, Nov. 2. The first-year Eagle threw for a career-high 354 yards on 29 completions (29-for-41). The 354 yards ranks tied for 29th all-time in EMU single-game history. Additionally, his 64-yard strike to wide out Hassan Beydoun is the longest completion of his career, while his three TDs tied a career-best mark.

MORE ON BEN: Quarterback Ben Bryant has thrown for first downs on 75 percent of his pass attempts on third and 3-5 yards to go this season, the mark is third-best among FBS quarterbacks. The national average is just 46 percent. Furthermore, Bryant has thrown for first downs on 43 percent of his pass attempts this season. That figure ranks fourth best among FBS QBs, while he is seventh having converted first downs on 61 percent of his pass attempts on third and 6-9 yards.

DOUBLE-DIGIT SURGE: After trailing Toledo at halftime, 28-24, the Green and White's offense recorded three third-quarter touchdowns while holding UT to just eight points. Additionally, the scoring surge in the third period (21) marked EMU's sixth-straight quarter putting up double-digits. Although EMU could not extend the trend to seven quarters, the six-quarter double-digit spurt is the longest for Eastern at any point this season.
   At no point in the modern statistical era (1999-Pres.) has any Eastern Michigan team ever, until this season, put up 10+ points in more than four consecutive quarters. That feat has only happened four times.

BEST RUN FOR JAWON: Senior running back Jawon Hamilton burst through the UT defense for a 32-yard touchdown to put EMU up 52-36 with 10:34 left in the fourth quarter, Nov. 2. The scamper marked a career-high for the Miami, Fla. native. His previous best was a 25-yard sprint at UMass, Sept. 18.

SUPER SAMSON: Sophomore running back Samson Evans rushed for 18 yards on six attempts and scored two touchdowns on the ground at Toledo, Nov. 2. The game is Evans' third with multiple scores this season. He leads all Eagles with nine touchdowns this year, which ranks third in the Mid-American Conference.

WE SEE YOU, RUSS: Junior defensive back Russell Vaden IV collected his second interception in as many weeks against the Rockets, Nov. 2. The Lousiville, Ky. native now leads the team with three INTs this season. He is one of just six players in the MAC with three picks (tied for first). Vaden ranks 11th nationally in total interceptions. Five players lead the way with five.

DRUMMOND ADDS ANOTHER: One of the best scoring threats in the MAC, junior wide out Dylan Drummond added another efficient performance to his resume at Toledo, Nov. 2. Drummond brought in three receptions and added his fifth touchdown of the season. That number leads all EMU pass catchers. One week earlier at BGSU, Oct. 23, the Cleveland, Ohio native led all Eagles with six receptions, good for 63 total yards.

RIGHT ON, RYLAND: Junior kicker Chad Ryland continues to prove he is one of the best assets in the conference. Ryland was 1-for-1 on FG attempts against Toledo, Nov. 2, converting from 34 yards out. After starting the season just 3-for-6, the Lebanon, Pa. native has hit his stride, knocking in his last six attempts and eight of his last nine overall. Ryland is now 9-for-12 on the season, and has hit three 47-yarders on the year.

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 seven loose balls this season, which ranks second in the MAC and 19th nationally.

BALANCED PRODUCTION: Eastern Michigan's offense has been incredibly consistent from half to half this season. The Eagles have scored a total of 314 points this season, 155 of which have been registered in the first half of contest. EMU has scored 49 percent of its total points in the first half this season, and 51 percent in the second half of contests.

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 (56-of-118) of its third down tries, good for 17th in the nation. EMU was 7-of-15 in its most recent contest, against Toledo, Nov. 2.

HIGH-FLYING OFFENSE: Eastern Michigan's offense is the best scoring unit in the Mid-American Conference. Averaging 34.9 points per game, EMU has put up 314 total points on 41 touchdowns, nine field goals, and 41 extra points. In total, 14 different Eagles have found the pay dirt in 2021, including five players who have scored multiple touchdowns. Sophomore Samson Evans leads all Eagles with nine touchdowns, while freshman Darius Boone Jr. has six.

BRYANT'S NATIONAL RANKINGS: Senior quarterback Ben Bryant ranks first in the MAC and 15th nationally with a 69 percent completion clip in 2021. Furthermore, he ranks 29th nationally and first in the MAC with an 8.5 yards per pass attempt average in 2021. He also ranks inside the nation's top-50 (33rd) in passing efficiency (153.6). If he keeps pace, 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 percentages since 2000.

PLAYING DISCIPLINED: EMU has been one of the most disciplined teams in the country thus far in
2021. The Eagles rank first in the nation in fewest penalties per game (3.67), second in fewest penalty yards per game (31.8), sixth in fewest total penalty yards (286), and eighth in fewest total penalties (33).

SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS: EMU's 43.25 net yards per punt ranks first in the MAC and 10th nationally. EMU is also one of only six teams in the league, and 82 teams in the nation, to have not allowed a blocked punt this season.

ALL-TIME AGAINST OHIO: Eastern Michigan is 12-19-1 against Ohio all-time. EMU has not defeated OU inside Rynearson Stadium since 1999, which was EMU's last win over Ohio before knocking off the Bobcats in Athens during the 2016 campaign.

LAST TIME AGAINST THE BOBCATS: Former Eagle Brody Hoying recorded 10 tackles, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as the EMU defense kept Ohio to under 400 yards; Brogan Roback hit 12 different pass catchers in a 271-yard effort, but it was not enough as the Bobcats prevailed, 27-20, in a 2OT thriller at Rynearson Stadium, Sept. 23, 2017.
   After Ohio drove 46 yards on the game's opening drive to take a 7-0 lead, EMU was able to stall the Bobcats on their next five possessions. Ohio took a 10-6 lead into the break. EMU outscored the visitor 7-3 in the second half to send the game into OT.
   After trading TDs in the first overtime, Ohio struck again the second extra period as Nathan Rourke hit Brendan Cope for an seven-yard score. EMU failed to answer in its final possession as it came up short on a fourth-and-four, which ended the game.

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern Michigan will close its 2021 home slate with a Tuesday night battle against in-state rival Western Michigan, Nov. 16. Game times will be announced in the days following the Ohio contest.

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Players Mentioned

Hassan Beydoun

Blake Bogan

Darius Boone Jr.

Ben Bryant

Dylan Drummond

Samson Evans

Jawon Hamilton

Jose Ramirez

Chad Ryland

Russell Vaden IV

Eastern Michigan Athletics