EMU Remains on the Road Saturday with a Visit to UMass

Football at UMass
Date	Saturday, Sept. 18 \| 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue	Amherst, Mass. \| McGuirk Alumni Stadium
Preview Info	EMU Game Notes \| Media Guide \| Press Conference Video
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	FloSports \| NESN+
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| TuneIn Radio \| The Varsity Network App \| Eastern Insider Podcast
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Attendance Information	Purchase Tickets.

AMHERST, Mass. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team is set to hit the road for a second consecutive weekend when it travels to The Bay State for a contest against the University of Massachusetts Saturday, Sept. 18. The non-conference game is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. inside McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
   EMU is 1-1 (0-0 MAC) on the year after a 34-7 road setback at No. 17/18 Wisconsin, Sept. 11, meanwhile UMass is 0-2 and trying to snap a 13-game losing skid that dates back to the 2019 campaign following a 45-28 loss to Boston College, Sept. 11.
   The game will be televised via the subscription-based FloSports platform as well as NESN+ throughout New England. Jay Burnham and Andy Gresh will be in the booth, while Matt Goldstein reports from the sideline. As always, fans can hear the game for free on WEMU (89.1 FM) or The Varsity Network mobile app with veteran broadcasters Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick calling the action from the press box.

FLY THE FLAG: Mid-American Conference Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher debuted a pirate flag in 2018 for when a conference member posts a non-conference victory. EMU has previously posted road non-conference wins in 2015 (Wyoming), 2016 (Charlotte), 2017 (Rutgers), 2018 (Purdue), and 2019 (Illinois). The streak is the longest by EMU since the then-Hurons rolled off non-league road triumphs in 10 consecutive years between 1966 and 1975.

BALL SECURITY: Through two games, EMU is one of just 42 teams in the FBS (130 total) that has yet to surrender an offensive fumble. EMU has forced one fumble thus far in 2021 (Saint Francis, Sept. 3).

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, 29 of EMU's last 35 MAC games and 42 of its last 50 games overall have either been a win or a one possession loss.

FREQUENT FLYERS: After an 800-mile round trip to Madison, Wis. for its Week Two game against Wisconsin, EMU will add another 1400+ miles each way to Amherst this weekend. The longest trip of the year for Eastern in terms of mileage, Amherst resides approximately 739 miles away from Ypsilanti.

FIELD FLIPPER: Senior punter Jake Julien, a nominee for the 2021 Ray Guy Award, got off to an excellent start to the 2021 season in EMU's 35-15, season-opening win over Saint Francis, Sept. 3. The Barrie, Ontario native booted four balls for a total of 184 yards. His 46.0 yards per punt average in the game was well above his 43.4 career average, which is already atop the EMU record books (tied with Rich Hanschu).
   Julien followed his hot start with an even better game against Wisconsin, Sept. 11. Racking up eight punts for the third time in his career, Julien punted for 411 total yards, 51.4 yards per kick.
   Julien's 49.6 yards per punt in 2021 ranks seventh in the nation and first in the MAC.

SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS: EMU currently ranks inside the nation's top-10 in a pair of special teams categories. The EMU kick off unit has yet to allow a yard of return this season, which is the second-best total of any team in the nation. Only Colorado State (-1.0 yards) has had a better kick return defense this season.
   As a punting unit, EMU's 45.7 net yards per punt ranks eighth nationally and first in the MAC.

NATION'S BEST STREAK ENDS: EMU was incredibly effective in the red zone on both sides of the ball in 2020. Offensively, EMU ranked No. 1 in 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, a 22.5 percent improvement over 2019'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).
   Those trends continued in EMU's 35-15 victory over Saint Francis, Sept. 3. The Green and White was 5-for-5 when reaching the opposition's 20-yard line, all of which were touchdowns. Entering Week Two, EMU's 33-for-33 scoring mark in the red zone was the longest active streak on any team in the nation.
   The streak ended Saturday, Sept. 11, at Wisconsin as EMU failed to score in its lone trip inside the Badger's 20.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TAKEAWAYS: EMU has taken the ball away three times from its opponents in 2021, twice against Saint Francis, Sept. 3, and once at Wisconsin, Sept. 11. EMU has scored 21 points off those turnovers, once as a direct result of the play (98-yard interception-for-touchdown at Wisconsin), and twice in its subsequent offensive possession. Two of EMU's three takeaways have come with its opponent inside the Eagles 50-yard line, one of which came from inside the red zone.

CARTER'S ELITE COMPANY: Freshman David Carter Jr. not only stepped onto the field for the first time in his collegiate career against Wisconsin, Sept. 11, but made history while doing so. With just under 10 minutes remaining in the game, Carter Jr. stepped in front of a Badger pass and hauled in his first-career interception. He then returned the ball 98 yards for an EMU touchdown. The interception-return-for-touchdown is the second-longest in school history (three players have returned a 100-yard interception for a touchdown) and is the longest for any Eastern player since George Duranko took an interception 100 yards for a score against Central Michigan, Nov. 18, 1972.
   Additionally, it was EMU's first "pick six" since Maxx Crosby grabbed an interception and scored at home against Akron, Nov. 10, 2018.

BIG TIME TURNOVERS: EMU has now forced at least one turnover in each of its last four games against Big Ten teams. It has won the turnover battle in two of the four games, and tied in two. Additionally, EMU leads Big Ten opponents 7-5 in the overall turnover battle in its last four games against the Rosemont, Ill.-based conference.

STILL STRONG AGAINST THE BIG TEN: Following its Sept. 11 game at Wisconsin, EMU has now won or tied nine of its last 16 quarters played against Big Ten Conference teams (dating back to Rutgers in 2017). That number comes despite coming up short in three quarters against the Badgers.

FOUR FRESH FACES: Four Eagles made their first-career start against Wisconsin, Sept. 11. Offensively, sophomore offensive lineman Alex Howie made his first start at the right guard position, while fellow underclassman Dylan Summers split out at the X position in what was his first start for the Green and White. Defensively, junior lineman Jordan Crawford got the call upfront and sophomore Robert Daniel Jr. earned the chance to start in the secondary.

MAKING THE MOST: Sophomore Robert Daniel Jr. made the most of his first starting opportunity for the Green and White, Sept. 11. The Oak Park, Mich. native tied for the team lead with seven tackles (5 solo, 2 assisted). With his performance, Daniel Jr. became the first Eastern Michigan player to lead or tie for the team lead in tackles in his first-career start since Kobie Beltram did it (12 total) in EMU's Week One game against Coastal Carolina, Aug. 31, 2019.

SECOND HALF SUCCESS: Despite its 34-7 setback at Wisconsin, Sept. 11, the EMU defense put together a strong second-half effort against the Badgers. After giving up 24 points, 17 first downs, 275 rushing yards, and 102 passing yards in the first half against Wisconsin, the EMU score stoppers held the home team to much lower results in the second half. Wisconsin scored just 10 points and mustered nine first downs, 77 rushing yards, and 64 passing yards in the second half.
   This year, EMU has adjusted well in the second half. Just 36% (18-of-49) of the team's total points allowed have come in the second half. That number is considerably lower than Eastern's 2020 results, where 51% percent of opponents' scoring (97-of-191) came in the second half of games.

STRONG IN THE SECONDARY: Eastern's secondary was strong against Wisconsin, Sept. 11. The Badgers averaged 181 passing yards per game in 2020, and put up 185 in their Week One matchup with Penn State, Sept. 4. EMU defensive backs held the home team to just 166 yards, and did not allow a touchdown through the air. As a unit, Eastern's secondary is allowing just 176.5 yards per game through the air during the 2021 season, a significant drop (29% less) from last season's average of 248.8 yards per game.

WELCOME BACK, WOO: Senior defensive tackle Woo Scott Sr. came to play against Wisconsin, Sept. 11. The Little Rock, Ark. native had three total tackles, including a team-best 2.0 tackles-for-loss. Additionally, he recorded EMU's lone sack, his first contribution to a QB-dropper since Sept. 14, 2019, when he had a half-sack in EMU's win at Illinois.

FORMER MAC MEMBER: Massachusetts, who currently plays as an Football Bowl Subdivision Independent, had a brief stint in the MAC upon first climbing to the FBS ranks in 2011. UMass joined the MAC in April 2011 in football only, giving the conference 14 football-playing schools.
   When Temple left in March 2012, the conference had the ability to convert UMass' membership agreement to a term (number of years) agreement. That clause was exercised, and UMass ultimately elected to convert to an independent in football while keeping the remainder of its major sports within the Atlantic 10 Conference as opposed to converting to full MAC membership.

ALL-TIME AGAINST UMASS: Saturday's game will be the third all-time meeting between the Eagles and Minutemen. UMass holds a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams. Most recently, the Minutemen traveled to Ypsilanti and secured a 28-17 win, Nov. 14, 2015.
   A series that dates back to the 2014 season, EMU's first-ever contest against UMass was played inside the home of the New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium, Sept. 18, 2014.
   EMU fell, 36-14, despite an impressive 21-tackle performance by Great Ibe. In the game, the EMU defense forced three turnovers on the afternoon, but future NFL draft pick Tajae Sharpe had 13 receptions for 193 yards.

LAST TIME AGAINST UMASS: Eastern fell, 28-17, in its home finale of the 2015 season, Nov. 14.
   Brogan Roback led the Eagles balanced passing attack, completing 26-of-42 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Former Eagle Dustin Creel caught a team and season-high 10 receptions, totaling 97 yards and a touchdown while then-freshman Eddie Daugherty hauled in three catches for 39 yards and a score. EMU great Darius Jackson led the Eagles' run game, recording 15 carries for a total of 55 yards.
   Defensively, then-senior Great Ibe recorded a team-high 21 tackles (9 solo, 12 assists), highlighted by two tackles for a loss, as well as a sack. With 21 total tackles, Ibe tied a career-high in his final game at home.

UMASS CONNECTIONS: While the EMU football program does not have any direct connections to UMass, EMU and UMass share a tie in basketball. Current Minutewomen basketball Head Coach Tory Verdi spent four seasons as the Head Women's Basketball Coach at EMU from 2012-16. In four seasons at the helm of the EMU women's basketball squad, Verdi oversaw improvements in each season. He took over the program on April 26, 2012, and compiled a record of 72-61; however, in his first season, the team went just 8-22. In 2013-14, the squad posted a record of 18-14 before tying a program-best 24 wins during the 2014-15 campaign when the Eagles went 24-13, including winning 17 of their final 23 games. In his final season, the squad posted a record of 22-12 overall as it earned its third consecutive postseason appearance.
   At UMass, Verdi has been just as successful, having already led the team to numerous program records in his current stint.

MIGHTY MYRICK: Senior linebacker Terry Myrick, who finished the 2020 season as the 11th-best tackler in the nation in 2020 (11.2 per game), has picked up right where he left off a season ago in 2021. After leading EMU's tackling efforts against Saint Francis, Sept. 3 (6 total), the Austell, Ga. native again led Eastern at Wisconsin, where he tied Robert Daniel Jr. for the team lead in stops, with seven.
   Through two games, Myrick ranks 28th nationally and fourth in the Mid-American Conference with his 5.5 solo tackles per game average. He sits at 19th in the conference with a 6.5 total tackles per game average.

WELCOME MR. WESTMORELAND: Freshman wide out Zach Westmoreland had a memorable game in his first-ever collegiate performance, at Wisconsin, Sept. 11. The Joplin, Mo. native hauled in a pair of passes to finished tied for second on the team in total receptions. His 35 receiving yards led all Eagles in the contest and finished as the second best of any player in the game. Furthermore, Westmoreland's 29-yard reception was the longest of the game for any player.

MISSING PRODUCTION: The Green and White missed plenty of its usual production from the starting lineup in its game against Wisconsin, Sept. 11. The four Week One starters that were replaced due to limited or no availability for the game (Jake Donnellon (44), Hassan Beydoun (25), Russell Vaden (3), Blake Bogan (29)) have a total of 101 games played, including 38 starts. That is nearly a seven-time multiple (101 games vs. 15 games) when compared to the overall playing time for those whom replaced them (Alex Howie (5), Dylan Summers (2), Robert Daniel Jr. (3), Kendric Nowling (5)).

FIRST DOWN STRUGGLES: One week after outpacing Saint Francis by 15 (27-to-12) in first downs, EMU struggled at Wisconsin. EMU's three first downs are its lowest number in the modern statistical era (1999). It's previous low was four, in its 2013 game against Bowling Green. EMU has been held to under 10 first downs 17 times since 1999.

ON THE HORIZON: After back-to-back road games, Eastern Michigan will return to The Factory Saturday, Sept. 25, to host Texas State University. It will be the first-ever meeting against the Bobcats.
The game will also be part of Hall of Fame Weekend with Carl "CJ" Johnson (Men's Track and Field), Jason Jones (Football), Amanda Kulikowski (Soccer), Carl E. Thomas (Men's Basketball), Charles E. Thomas II (Men's Basketball), and LaTonya M. Watson (Women's Basketball) all being enshrined.
   This year's class will mark the 45th anniversary of the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame with a ceremony Friday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. The Class of 2021 will then be recognized during halftime of the football game.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Hassan Beydoun

Blake Bogan

David Carter Jr.

Jordan Crawford

Robert Daniel Jr.

Jake Donnellon

Alex Howie

Jake Julien

Terry Myrick

Kendric Nowling

Woo Scott Sr.

Dylan Summers

Zach Westmoreland

Eastern Michigan Athletics