EMU Heads to Wisconsin for a Saturday Night Affair on FS1

Football at Wisconsin
Date	Satrday, Sept. 11 \| 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT)
Venue	Madison, Wis. \| Camp Randall Stadium
Preview Info	EMU Game Notes \| Media Guide \| Press Conference Video
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	FS1 \| Channel Finder
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| TuneIn Radio \| The Varsity Network App \| Eastern Insider Podcast
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Attendance Information	GameDay Protocols \| Purchase Tickets.

MADISON, Wis. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team will look to take down yet another college football "Blue Blood" when it travels to Madison, Wis. for a game with the No. 12/15 University of Wisconsin Badgers Saturday, Sept. 11.
   Equipped with a perfect 3-0 record against Big Ten Conference opponents in its last four seasons of play, EMU heads to Camp Randall Stadium in search of the program's first ever top-25 victory.
   The contest, set to begin at 7 p.m. ET, will be broadcast on FS1 and the FOX Sports app, where Dan Hellie and Robert Smith will have the call. The game will also be aired on WEMU (89.1 FM) with veteran broadcasters Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick calling the action from the press box.

NEVER FORGET: While football is important, Saturday, Sept. 11, will also mark the 20-year anniversary of the devastating 9-11 attacks. The Eastern Michigan football program mourns all those who were lost, and thanks all those who have worked to protect our country and citizens so diligently since the unthinkable attacks. To honor all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on 9-11, Eastern will wear a commemorative helmet decal for Saturday's contest at Wisconsin.

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), and 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.

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 34 MAC games and 42 of its last 49 games overall have either been a win or a one possession loss.

RED HOT IN THE RED ZONE: 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 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. Eastern's current 33-for-33 scoring mark in the red zone, which dates back to 2020, is the longest active streak on any team in the nation.

FIRST DOWN SUCCESS: The Eastern Michigan offense was able to produce 27 first downs in its week one game vs. Saint Francis. That number is the most in a single game by EMU since it put up the same against Pittsburgh in the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl, Dec. 26. As a team, EMU has notched 27+ first downs in 11 games under Head Coach Chris Creighton.

THE NOT-SO UNDERDOGS: Head Coach Chris Creighton has directed his EMU teams to three "Power Five" wins during his tenure in Ypsilanti (Rutgers – 2017, Purdue – 2018, Illinois – 2019). Creighton is the only MAC coach to have multiple "Power 5" wins.

AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS: No. 12/15 Wisconsin will serve as EMU's 14th ranked opponent in program history, and its first since the Eagles traveled to No. 20 Western Michigan on Oct. 22, 2016. Eastern in still in search of its first victory over a ranked opponent. EMU has twice finished with scores within two possessions of its ranked opponents, falling to the Broncos, 45-31, in 2016 and to No. 21/20 Michigan State, 23-7, Sept. 17, 2005.
   Wisconsin is the highest-ranked team that Eastern has played since it traveled to No. 9/8 LSU in 2015. EMU tied that game in the second half before falling 44-22.

ALL-TIME VS WISCONSIN: Eastern Michigan and Wisconsin will meet up for the fourth time in the programs' respective histories Saturday, Sept. 11. EMU is still in search of its first win over the Badgers after having been outscored by its Big Ten opponent 101-9 in the first three meetings of the series. The most recent contest between the programs was played on Sept. 7, 1996, a game which Wisconsin won, 24-3.

ALL-TIME VS THE BIG TEN: After compiling a 0-38 record against teams from the Big Ten Conference, Eastern has now taken three in-a-row from teams in the Rosemont, Ill.-based league. After downing Rutgers (16-13) in 2017 and Purdue (20-19) in 2018, the Eagles bested Illinois with a last-second field goal, 34-31, Sept. 14, 2019.

#MACtion SUCCESS AGAINST THE BIG TEN: The MAC has won a regular season game versus Big Ten Conference opponents in 14 consecutive seasons (2006-19), the longest streak in MAC history. Eastern Michigan's 34-31 win at Illinois on Sept. 14, 2019 extended this streak.
   During this stretch, MAC teams have defeated 12 different Big Ten programs—Illinois (4); Indiana (5); Iowa (3); Maryland (1); Michigan (1); Michigan State (1); Minnesota (2); Nebraska (1); Northwestern (3); Penn State (1); Purdue (6) and Rutgers (2) for a total of 30 wins during this stretch.
   Eastern Michigan joins Bowling Green (2014-15) and Northern Illinois (2013-14) as the only MAC teams in this stretch to defeat three consecutive Big 10 opponents.

FIRST TIME SINCE '08: EMU outpaced Saint Francis in first downs by a margin of 15 (27-12), Sept. 3. The last time Eastern outpaced an opponent by a margin that large was Aug. 28, 2008, when it recorded 30 first downs to Indiana State's seven en route to a 52-0 win.

BOONE GOES THE DYNAMITE: Freshman running back Darius Boone Jr. tabbed his third career touchdown and first of the 2021 campaign in EMU's season-opener, Sept. 3. The running back rushed for 107 yards on 22 attempts and averaged 4.9 yards per carry in the game. All three numbers led the Eagles. Additionally, he is the first Eagle to break the 100-yard mark since he ran for 148 yards at Western Michigan last season, Dec. 5, 2020. In his four career collegiate games, Boone Jr. has rushed for 361 yards on 66 attempts, good for a 5.5 yards per rush average.

EVANS KEEPS EATING: Sophomore running back Samson Evans had a game to remember in EMU's season-opening win over Saint Francis, Sept. 3. The Crystal Lake, Ill. native needed just five carries and 11 total yards to find the end zone three times against Saint Francis. His 18 points single-handedly accounted for 51% (18-of-35) of Eastern Michigan's scoring in the game, all while he outscored Saint Francis (15 points) in outright fashion. His first-career multi-score game, Evans is the first Eagle to score three rushing touchdowns since quarterback Preston Hutchison rushed for three scores at Ball State, Nov. 11, 2020. Evans now has four career rushing touchdowns.

GOOD SIGNS ON THE GROUND: Eastern was incredibly productive on the ground in its season-opener against Saint Francis, Sept. 3. As a team, EMU rushed for 221 yards on 58 attempts. That number is the team's best since rushing for 258 yards at Ball State, Nov. 11, 2020. Five different players recorded multiple rushing attempts, including three different true running backs. In total, 54% of the team's offensive yard production (221-of-410) came via the ground, while 100% of its scoring production (5-for-5) came thanks to the run. EMU had two backs, Darius Boone Jr. (4.9) and Jawon Hamilton (4.3), go for better than 4.0 yards per carry - the third consecutive game for EMU with such an occurrence, dating back to its 53-42 win over Western Michigan, Dec. 5, 2020.

VETERAN PRODUCTION: In addition to EMU's rushing success, quarterbacks Preston Hutchinson and Ben Bryant were able to convert 15 plays through the air against SFU, Sept. 3. Veteran pass catchers Hassan Beydoun and Dylan Drummond paced the team as they combined to account for 58% (110-of-189) of the team's total receiving yards. Sophomore Dylan Summers joined the duo atop the list in terms of receptions as the trio each had three in the game.

SPREADING THE WEALTH: While Eastern Michigan saw the majority of its offensive production come via the run against Saint Francis, Sept. 3, the Eagles were successful in finding multiple targets in the passing game. Eight different pass catchers notched a reception, including four that hauled in their first-career receptions. Additionally, four different players finished the game with multiple receptions.

BIG GAME FOR BRYANT: EMU transfer quarterback Ben Bryant had a debut game to remember in EMU's 35-15 win over Saint Francis, Sept. 3. He put together a single-game resume that included 8-of-10 passing for 126 yards (67% of EMU's total passing yards) and a total quarterback efficiency rating of 185.84. His performance was the first game in which an EMU quarterback has finished with a completion percentage of 80% or better since Mike Glass hit the 83.3% mark (20-of-24) against Northern Illinois, Nov. 19, 2019.

HOT FIRST HALF: The Eastern Michigan offense put up 28 first-half points en route to its 35-15 win over Saint Francis, Sept. 3. The point production is the best for the team in a first half of a game since it scored 30 points at Western Michigan, Dec. 5, 2020.

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 13 times, including last week against Saint Francis. EMU sacked the Red Flash quarterback four times for 22 total yards.

FOR THE FIRST TIME: Although Eastern Michigan returned better than 50 letterwinners to the 2021 roster, a slew of Eagles saw game action for the first time against Saint Francis, Sept. 3. In total, 13 players saw game action for the first time as a member of the squad, including seven offensive players and six defensive players.

TWO TURNOVER DAY FOR THE D: The Eastern Michigan defense caused plenty of disruption in its season-opening game versus Saint Francis. In addition to its four sacks, the Green and White forced two Red Flash turnovers. After forcing an SFU punt to start the day, sophomore Jose Ramirez broke through the defensive line and strip-sacked quarterback Jyron Russel in Eastern's second defensive stance. The forced fumble was the second for Ramirez in his career.
   EMU's freshman defensive lineman, Alex Merrit was able to recover his second-career fumble at the EMU 35-yard. The next series saw the secondary get involved. This time, it was junior defensive back Russell Vaden IV that came up big, as he secured his first-career interception. EMU scored touchdowns in the possessions immediately following both turnovers.

SWEET SIXTEEN: Just as the EMU offense saw a slew of receivers involved against SFU, Sept. 3, the EMU defense got production from a number of different players. A total of 25 different Eagles recorded tackles, 16 of which had multi-stop performances. The 25 different tacklers is the most in a single game for EMU since the same number notched stops against Central Michigan, Nov. 27, 2020. Five different Eagles recorded their first career tackle in the contest. Nineteen different players recorded multiple stops in Eastern's 2020 finale against Northern Illinois, Dec. 12.

REPS, REPS, REPS: Eastern Michigan was effective at keeping its offense on the field while limiting the opposition's scoring opportunity in its season-opener against Saint Francis, Sept. 3. The Eagles ran 80 offensive plays, their most in a single game since the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl (87), Dec. 26. Additionally, the defense held SFU to just 64 total attempts. EMU has not held an opponent under that number since it kept Akron below 60 (54), Nov. 17, 2019 in the Rubber City.

STOUT START: The Eastern Michigan defense allowed just 292 yards of total offense when it challenged Saint Francis, Sept. 3. That number is an impressive 200 yards per game less than EMU's average allowance of 492 opponent yards per game in 2020. Additionally, Eastern's 15 points given up is 21 points per game less than the 36 it allowed in 2020. Furthermore, EMU held Saint Francis to an average gain of 4.6 yards per play, a near two-yard improvement over 2020 (6.4 yards per play).

HOT OUT OF HALFTIME: Defensive coordinator Neal Neathery continues to prove that his halftime adjustments are spot-on, as the EMU defense held an opponent scoreless in the third quarter yet again when it blanked Saint Francis in the third frame, Sept. 3.
    The third-quarter shutout marks the 14th time in Eastern's last 32 contests (43.75%) that its opponent has failed to score in the first quarter out of the break. In their three third-quarter possessions, the Red Flash were able to muster just 61 yards on 16 plays. Additionally, Neathery's unit held SFU to just three first downs in the quarter. Eastern has emerged victorious in seven of the 14 games in which it has held opponents scoreless in the third quarter during that stretch, with one loss coming in overtime.

THE MOST SINCE: EMU's 35 points against Saint Francis were the most in a season-opener for the Green and White since it posted a 51-17 win over Monmouth to start the 2018 season. The game is the third lid-lifter under Head Coach Chris Creighton in which the Eagles have scored 35+ points (2016 - 61 vs. Miss. Valley State), and just the fourth in the last decade of play for EMU (2011 - 41 vs. Howard).

JUST BEING JULIEN: 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).

RYLAND PASSES HENNEGHAN: Senior kicker Chad Ryland went five-for-five in his extra-point attempts in Eastern's game against Saint Francis, Sept. 3. In adding five points to his career total (now 210), he passed Tim Henneghan (1986-89) for fourth place on the program's all-time scoring list. Ryland is now just 90 points shy of the top spot, which is held by another kicker, All-American Andrew Wellock (2003-06).

SIGNED, SEALED, STAYING: Eighth year Head Coach Chris Creighton and EMU came to terms on a contract extension that will keep Creighton in Ypsilanti through at least the 2025 season, the school announced Sept. 2.
   Creighton is the only coach in EMU history to lead the program to multiple bowl appearances with the 2016 Bahamas Bowl, the 2018 Camellia Bowl, and the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl. Currently the fifth-winningest coach in program history, Creighton is just 11 victories away from tying Jim Harkema for fourth-best at Eastern.
   For a full list of accolades and accomplishments during Creighton's tenure in Ypsilanti, see pages No. 4 (bio) and No. 10 (Slaying the Dragons).

130 YEARS OF FOOTBALL: This is the 130th year for the EMU football team. The first year of intercollegiate football in Ypsilanti was 1891, when the team, then known as the Michigan Normal College Normalites, posted an 0-2 record. EMU has fielded a team every year since 1891 with one exception, when the 1944 season was canceled because of World War II.

CANNON EARNS "THE DEUCE": One of the most prestigious honors a player can earn in the EMU football program, senior tight end Bryson Cannon was chosen to wear the No. 2 jersey for EMU this season. Dubbed "The Deuce," the jersey is worn in honor of Demarius Reed, a former EMU wide receiver who was tragically killed in the midst of the 2013 season. Known for his exemplary playing ability, class, and leadership, Demarius' No. 2 jersey, brought back into circulation for the first time in 2017, is awarded annually to the best pass catcher that displays those qualities.
   Cannon was awarded the honor following the team's practice Thursday, Sept. 2. In addition to being chosen in front of his entire team, the moment was made more special when the entire Reed entered Rynearson Stadium to help present the honor. It was the first live appearance by the family for the annual ceremony.

CONTINUING THE (NEW) TRADITION: In addition to "The Deuce," EMU will also continue another jersey tradition it established in 2020. The No. 0 will be worn by the defensive player each week that best embodies the team's "Hard Hat Defense" mentality. The three characteristics that a player must achieve to be part of EMU's "Hard Hat D,' are: selfless, hardworking, and tough. The player that wears No. 0 will change every week and will be awarded based on the individual's previous week performance. Senior captain Turan Rush won the honor in EMU's week one win over Saint Francis, Sept. 3

CREATING A CULTURE: If the EMU Department of Athletics' promotion of the football team isn't enough to convince you of the culture change that has happened at EMU since Chris Creighton's arrival, then take the word of the "worldwide leader in sports," ESPN. Recently, in a story that ranked the stability of all 130 FBS programs, EMU was ranked No. 9. Overall, EMU was considered one of 17 programs to have "extreme stability" and the only program inside the state of Michigan to make the "extreme stability" list.
   The Eagles earned a total stability value of 38.6 out of 50 possible points, as No. 1 Wyoming earned 40.6 points. EMU earned 18.0 out of 20 points possible for coaching stability, 15.2 out of 20 points possible for roster stability and 5.3 out of 10.0 points possible for performance stability.
   The pollster, ESPN's Bill Connelly, said "Seven years ago, Chris Creighton took over what was basically a smoking crater of a football program. No history, no recent success. The Eagles haven't broken through to a division or conference title yet, but they went to three bowls in four years from 2016-19, and the two-deep is loaded with experience. What a turnaround this has been."

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN: Senior center Mike Van Hoeven was named Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-America on Monday, July 12, 2021, making him just the third football player in Eastern Michigan University history to be an Academic All-American. The previous Academic All-American were Corey Annett, grabbing second team honors in 2001 and Cy Maughmer adding second team accolades in 2013. Van Hoeven – who was also CoSIDA Academic All-District in 2018 and 2019 – is the first Eastern Michigan football student-athlete to be recognized three times in a career.
   Van Hoeven started all six games for the Green and White as the team's center in 2020. He helped spur an EMU rushing attack that saw seven different Eagles record multiple attempts on the ground en route to 776 total yards and 11 of EMU's 23 offensive touchdowns in 2020. Additionally, he helped to protect quarterback Preston Hutchinson, who racked up better than 1,600 yards through the air in just six games.

CFL SUCCESS SUSTAINED: Just weeks after former Eastern Michigan football player Steven Nielsen was taken No. 2 overall in the Canadian Football League's (CFL) Global Draft, April 15, 2021, another Eagle, senior punter Jake Julien was selected in the league's annual draft. Julien, EMU's current starting punter, was drafted No. 31 overall by the Ottawa RedBlacks, May 4 . Since 1973, Eastern Michigan has had 20 players taken in the CFL Draft, including eight first round selections.

EMU ON THE NATIONAL LEADERBOARDS IN 2020: EMU notched itself onto the national and conference leaderboards in a slew of individual and team-based categories in 2020. Senior linebacker Terry Myrick was one of the nation's best tacklers, ranking fourth in the MAC and 11th in the NCAA in tackles per game (11.2), while as a team, EMU was the best-of-the-best in red zone offense (28-for-28), and red zone defense (No. 7 nationally).

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN: Although EMU did not get to play its planned 12-game regular season in 2020, the NCAA did grant a one-time eligibility waiver that allows players to return in 2021 without the loss of eligibility. EMU is ready to reap the benefits of the decision, as just six players departed the program following the 2020 campaign. A total of 53 letterwinners have returned in 2021, including a projected 23 starters.

TEAM THEME: This year's team theme is "We Different." The team spent the winter and summer using the mantra "Be Different," a phrase designed to inspire players and coaches to work diligently at working harder than everyone else while resisting to fall into the many status quos of life. Now, with the season underway, the "Be," has been transitioned to "We," meaning that it is now time for the team to prove that their sacrifices to "Be Different," have come to fruition.

STABILITY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME: In his eighth season in Ypsilanti, EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton is now the 21st longest-tenured Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) head coach. He is the second-longest tenured head coach in the conference, falling just eight days short of Miami's Chuck Martin.

THE CREIGHTON DIFFERENCE: Head Coach Chris Creighton has won nearly 50 percent (28-of-58) of his games since the start of the 2016 season. In the three seasons prior to his arrival in Ypsilanti, the Eagles were victorious in just 28 percent (10-of-36) of their games.

CONSISTENT COACHING: Chris Creighton officially began his eighth year at the helm of the EMU program Sept. 3 against Saint Francis. Nine coaches, five head and four interim, have come-and-gone at EMU since the last time a head-man has coached eight years (Jim Harkerma, 1983-92) at Eastern. Harkema, who coached nine full seasons for the Green and White, resides one spot ahead of Creighton as the fourth-winningest coach in program history.

CREIGHTON CLIMBING: EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton continued to climb the EMU all-time wins ladder. Currently the fifth-winningest coach in program history, Creighton is just 10 games away from tying Jim Harkema (41 wins) for fourth-best all-time at Eastern. The San Francisco native is the only coach in EMU history to take a team to three postseason bowl games.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CHRIS CREIGHTON?: In his head coaching career, Chris Creighton has racked up the frequent flyer miles, coaching games in seven different countries. Creighton added the Bahamas to that list in 2016 when he led the Eagles to the Bahamas Bowl after it already consisted of the United States, Sweden, Austria, Panama, Tanzania, and Germany.

FIFTY YEARS OF PIONEERING: While Chris Creighton has made postseason play the standard in recent years at EMU, it was the 1971 squad that first ushered in postseason play for the Green and White, fifty seasons ago. That team finished undefeated in the regular season (7-0-2), and went on to play against Louisiana Tech in the Pioneer Bowl. The then-Hurons fell in that game, 14-3.

CLOSED 2020 ON A HIGH NOTE: Eastern's win over Northern Illinois, Dec. 12, 2020, bumped EMU's record in regular-season finales to 7-13 over its last 20 seasons. The win also pushed Chris Creighton to 4-3 in such games. Before its victory over NIU, EMU's most recent win in a season-ending game came in 2018, when it defeated Kent State, 28-20, on the road, Nov. 23, 2018.

CONSECUTIVE FIELD GOALS MADE: Junior kicker Chad Ryland currently sits ties for sixth in the FBS with nine consecutive field goals made dating back to Nov. 27, 2020, versus Central Michigan. The Lebanon, Pa. product went 3-for-3 versus the Chippewas and followed it up with a 4-of-4 day against Western Michigan, Dec. 5. He closed the 2020 season with a 2-for-2 effort against NIU, Dec. 12.

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern Michigan will remain on the road, this time traveling to Amherst, Mass. to battle the University of Massachusetts. The game will be for the first for EMU against its former conference foe since its hosted the Minutemen at Rynearson Stadium in 2015. Kick off is slated for 3:30 p.m.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Hassan Beydoun

Darius Boone Jr.

Ben Bryant

Bryson Cannon

Dylan Drummond

Samson Evans

Jawon Hamilton

Preston Hutchinson

Jake Julien

Terry Myrick

Jose Ramirez

Turan Rush

Chad Ryland

Dylan Summers

Russell Vaden IV

Mike Van Hoeven

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