Eastern Michigan Athletics
Offense Outlasts Defense, 39-29, in Football Open Practice
4/16/2021 7:19:00 PM | Football
The event was the formal close to the team's 2021 spring calendar
Photo Gallery. | Recap Video. | Order Season Tickets
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – For the first time since the 2019 regular season, the gates at Rynearson Stadium were opened to the public today, April 16, for the Eastern Michigan University football team's 2021 Open Practice.
The event, held in place of the program's annual Spring Football Game, saw the Green and White take to the gray turf of "The Factory," for a scrimmage-like competition that pitted the offensive and defensive units against each other for approximately 75 plays. The special teams units got plenty of time in the spotlight as well, as numerous kicking and punting situations were employed for fan entertainment between the sets of plays.
Utilizing a modified scoring system (see below), it was eighth-year Head Coach Chris Creighton's White Team that came out on top, as it took down Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery's Green Team, 39-29, in a close affair.
Locked in from the start, the White Team sprinted out to an early advantage when sophomore running back Samson Evans (Cyrstal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge (Iowa)) broke away for a 46-yard touchdown run. The effort came in the clutch, as he was handed the rock on a third-down and two. The impressive offense continued in the third series of the game when junior quarterback Preston Hutchinson (Mason, Ohio-Mason) found Dearborn native and fellow upperclassman, wide receiver Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn) on a 16-yard strike in the end zone. Incoming transfer Ben Bryant (La Grange, Ill.-Lyons Township (Cincinnati)) was also sharp as a signal caller, where he displayed an impressive mix of both throwing ability and mobility.
Not to be outshined by the offense, the score stopping unit got revenge during the final series of the event's first set (three sets of 25 plays). In perfect position and tracking to the ball, freshman defensive back Greg Kelley (Leander, Texas-Leander) reached out to register an interception, his first with the squad, which helped the defense to find momentum heading into the second set.
Fired up, Creighton reached into his bags of tricks during the second set of action. He drew up a trick play that featured Beydoun in the backfield as a pass thrower. Showing off his arm, the former walk on tossed a perfect shot to junior tight end Gunnar Oakes (Swanton, Ohio-Swanton), who scored the 17-yard touchdown on the play.
In the final set of the day, it was the defense that showed out. Senior defensive lineman Michael Smith Jr. (Frostproof, Fla.-Frostproof) made a stellar play and forced a fumble in the backfield. Fellow defensive lineman, sophomore Carter Stagner (Birmingham, Mich.-Seaholm) was able to recover the loose ball for the Green Team. Still, the effort was not enough to overcome the offensive effort, which led to the White Team's victory, 39-29.
The end of today's event also signaled the end of the team's spring session. Over the past five weeks, the squad has participated in 15 NCAA-allotted practices, as well as weight and conditioning training. Now, the players will enjoy off time to focus on finals, before resuming team activities later this spring.
Fans, do not forget that with the season fast approaching, the EMU Ticket Office has announced the sale of 2021 ticket packages. EMU's schedule features six home games, with the first set to be played on Friday, Sept. 3, against Saint Francis (Pa). Visit the official ticketing page for more information.]
As always, continue to visit EMUEagles.com and follow @EMUFB on social media to stay up-to-date on all things EMU football.
Modified Spring GameScoring System
Offense
1st Down - 1 pt
Field Goal - 3 pts
Touchdown - 6 pts
Extra Point - 1 pt
Defense
Stop on downs - 1 pt
Turnover - 5 pts
TD on Turnover - 11 pts
Failed PAT - 1 pt
4th Down Stop - 3 pts
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – For the first time since the 2019 regular season, the gates at Rynearson Stadium were opened to the public today, April 16, for the Eastern Michigan University football team's 2021 Open Practice.
The event, held in place of the program's annual Spring Football Game, saw the Green and White take to the gray turf of "The Factory," for a scrimmage-like competition that pitted the offensive and defensive units against each other for approximately 75 plays. The special teams units got plenty of time in the spotlight as well, as numerous kicking and punting situations were employed for fan entertainment between the sets of plays.
Utilizing a modified scoring system (see below), it was eighth-year Head Coach Chris Creighton's White Team that came out on top, as it took down Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery's Green Team, 39-29, in a close affair.
Locked in from the start, the White Team sprinted out to an early advantage when sophomore running back Samson Evans (Cyrstal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge (Iowa)) broke away for a 46-yard touchdown run. The effort came in the clutch, as he was handed the rock on a third-down and two. The impressive offense continued in the third series of the game when junior quarterback Preston Hutchinson (Mason, Ohio-Mason) found Dearborn native and fellow upperclassman, wide receiver Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn) on a 16-yard strike in the end zone. Incoming transfer Ben Bryant (La Grange, Ill.-Lyons Township (Cincinnati)) was also sharp as a signal caller, where he displayed an impressive mix of both throwing ability and mobility.
Not to be outshined by the offense, the score stopping unit got revenge during the final series of the event's first set (three sets of 25 plays). In perfect position and tracking to the ball, freshman defensive back Greg Kelley (Leander, Texas-Leander) reached out to register an interception, his first with the squad, which helped the defense to find momentum heading into the second set.
Fired up, Creighton reached into his bags of tricks during the second set of action. He drew up a trick play that featured Beydoun in the backfield as a pass thrower. Showing off his arm, the former walk on tossed a perfect shot to junior tight end Gunnar Oakes (Swanton, Ohio-Swanton), who scored the 17-yard touchdown on the play.
In the final set of the day, it was the defense that showed out. Senior defensive lineman Michael Smith Jr. (Frostproof, Fla.-Frostproof) made a stellar play and forced a fumble in the backfield. Fellow defensive lineman, sophomore Carter Stagner (Birmingham, Mich.-Seaholm) was able to recover the loose ball for the Green Team. Still, the effort was not enough to overcome the offensive effort, which led to the White Team's victory, 39-29.
The end of today's event also signaled the end of the team's spring session. Over the past five weeks, the squad has participated in 15 NCAA-allotted practices, as well as weight and conditioning training. Now, the players will enjoy off time to focus on finals, before resuming team activities later this spring.
Fans, do not forget that with the season fast approaching, the EMU Ticket Office has announced the sale of 2021 ticket packages. EMU's schedule features six home games, with the first set to be played on Friday, Sept. 3, against Saint Francis (Pa). Visit the official ticketing page for more information.]
As always, continue to visit EMUEagles.com and follow @EMUFB on social media to stay up-to-date on all things EMU football.
Modified Spring GameScoring System
Offense
1st Down - 1 pt
Field Goal - 3 pts
Touchdown - 6 pts
Extra Point - 1 pt
Defense
Stop on downs - 1 pt
Turnover - 5 pts
TD on Turnover - 11 pts
Failed PAT - 1 pt
4th Down Stop - 3 pts
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ FootballNorthern Illinois: Cinematic Recap
Sunday, October 12
Stout Defense Pushes EMU Past NIU, 16-10
Sunday, October 12
2025 Football Week 7 Hype vs. NIU
Friday, October 10
EMU Football Pregame Press Conference: Week 7 vs. NIU
Monday, October 06