Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, October 15
Ypsilanti, Mich.
3:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Northern Illinois
NIU Comes to Town for Band/Youth Sports Day Saturday, Oct. 15
10/10/2022 3:00:00 PM | Football
Game 7 • Oct. 15, 2022 • 3:30 p.m. • Ypsilanti, Mich. • Rynearson Stadium (30,200)
| Football vs. Northern Illinois | |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 15 | 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) | The Varsity Network App | Eastern Insider Podcast |
| @EMUFB | @EMUAthletics | |
| Attendance Info | Purchase Tickets |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football program will look to add another tally to its Mid-American Conference win column when the Eagles host Northern Illinois University Saturday, Oct. 15. The game, earmarked as Band and Youth Sports Day at The Factory, is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m.
Eastern (4-2, 1-1 MAC) dominated Western Michigan University, 45-23, inside Waldo Stadium in its last appearance, Oct. 8. Samson Evans tied a career-high with three rushing touchdowns, while Jose Ramirez broke the program record with 4.0 sacks in the victory. The Eastern pass rush totaled seven sacks in the win, a season-high for the unit, while the offense churned out a season-high 45 points.
The Huskies (1-5, 0-2 MAC) are looking to get back on track and end their current five-game skid. NIU fell to the University of Toledo, 52-32, in its most recent contest, Oct. 8.
The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+. WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network app will carry the action as Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick will have the call.
STRIKE UP THE BAND: The Band Day contest at Rynearson Stadium will feature 19 local high school bands in attendance, performing as one during a special halftime concert. In total, nearly 1,000 high school student musicians and twirling groups will be in attendance.
A WIN WOULD: A victory Saturday would push EMU's record to 5-2 for the first time since the 2016 season and just the third time since the 1995 campaign. Additionally, a win over NIU would give Eastern its first win over a defending MAC Champion since it took down Bowling Green on the road, 28-25, Oct. 1, 2016.
PURE DOMINATION: With its 22-point, 45-23, win over Western Michigan, Eastern earned its largest margin of victory over the Broncos in the series' history. The previous best was a 19-point, 19-0, win over WMU, which came Oct. 18, 1930.
THE BATTLE FOR I-94-IN A ROW: Eastern Michigan dismantled its in-state rival, Western Michigan, 45-23, to earn its fourth-consecutive victory in the series for the first time in its 58-game history, Oct. 8. Additionally, the Eagles have knocked off the Broncos in consecutive contests on the road for the first time since it did so in a pair of games between 1987-89, respectively. Eastern has only bested Western in consecutive road games at two points in program history (first meeting came in 1906).
JOSE MAKES HISTORY: Senior defensive end Jose Ramirez tallied a career-high four sacks against WMU, Oct. 8. That number is the most in a single game in program history (statistic kept since 1998). The previous best was 3.0, which was held by five other former Eastern players. The four sacks are tied for the second most in a contest in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision this season. Derek Parish from the University of Houston holds the top spot with 4.5 sacks. His 4.0 tackles for loss are also a career-best mark for the Lake Alfred, Fla. native. The performance came just one week after he tied his previous career-high of 3.0 TFLs, against UMass, Oct. 2.
For his efforts, Ramirez was selected the Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week as well as the Breakout Defensive Player for the East-West Shrine Bowl.
GOOD COMPANY: With Eastern's win over Western Michigan, Head Coach Chris Creighton now has 41 victories as the bench boss at Eastern Michigan. That number ties Jim Harkema for fourth-most all-time at EMU. It took Harkema 10 seasons to accomplish the feat. Creighton is in year nine at the helm of the Green and White. Additionally, Creighton has now coached 100 games at Eastern Michigan. He is one of just four coaches in EMU history to reach the 100-games-coached milestone (Elton J. Rynearson - 187, Fred Trosko - 110, Jim Harkema - 103, Chris Creighton - 100).
CREIGHTON BESTS THE BRONCOS: EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton has fared better against Western Michigan than either of EMU's other two main rivals, Central Michigan University and Toledo. Creighton has four wins over WMU since 2014, one more than the pair of victories he holds over CMU and UT, respectively. Additionally, Creighton has yet to best CMU or UT in consecutive seasons, but can cross the Rockets off that list with a victory over Toledo, Oct. 29.
HOLY COW, SIDY SOW: Senior offensive lineman Sidy Sow is one of the most consistent players in EMU program history. With 48 career starts, Sow is just one nod away from tying the program's all-time record, currently held by Vince Calhoun, who started 49 games for the Green and White between 2016-19. Sow's 49 career games played sit just five marks behind all-time leaders Terry Myrick (2017-21) and Jake Julien (2017-21), who each took to the turf 54 times in their respective careers.
BIG TIME OUTPUT: The Eastern Michigan offense put up a season-best 45 points against Western Michigan. The 45 points are the most for EMU since it put up 52 at Toledo, Nov. 2, 2021. Eastern Michigan has scored 45+ points in 11 contests since the start of the Chris Creighton era (2014-Pres.). Five of those games (45%) have come since 2020, when Creighton took over the offensive play calling duties.
FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME: Eastern's 35 points scored in the first half of its game at WMU is the most for the team since the 2017 season, when it dropped the same number en route to a 56-14 win over Ball State, Nov. 2. Eastern Michigan has scored 20+ points in the first half of games 27 times under Chris Creighton. The Eagles are 21-6 in those games. Moreover, nine of those 21 games (43%) have come since the start of the 2020 season, when Creighton began calling the offensive plays for the team. The stat is even more impressive when considering that the 2020 season featured just a six-game slate.
Additionally, the EMU offense totaled a season-best 351 yards in the first half of the game. EMU's previous-best single-half effort, in terms of total first-half yardage was 307, which the team put up against ASU, Sept. 17. Coming into the game, the Eastern Michigan offense had averaged 190.4 yards in the first half of contests this season.
MOVING THE CHAINS: EMU's offense was one of the best in the Mid-American Conference on third down a season ago. Eastern converted 42.4 percent (67-of-158) of its third down tries, which ranked 45th in the nation in the regular season.
The EMU scoring unit is off to a good start in 2022. The Eagles are currently converting at a 51.4 percent clip (38-for-74). That number sits atop the Mid-American Conference and 11th nationally.
EFFICIENT OFFENSE: Eastern Michigan's offense has scored 20+ points in seven consecutive games dating back to Dec. 18, 2021, against Liberty in the LendingTree Bowl. The stretch is the fourth of the sort under Creighton. The best stretch of consecutive 20+-point games came between Oct. 26, 2017-Nov. 3, 2018, when the Eagles accomplished the feat in 14 straight games.
SAMSON. IS. SPECIAL.: One year after ranking third the Mid-American Conference in rushing touchdowns, senior Samson Evans has picked up right where he left off. Evans tied a career-high with three rushing touchdowns against Western Michigan, Oct. 8. He previously hit the same number against Saint Francis University (Pa.), Sept. 3, 2021. The contest is his second multi-touchdown game of the season (vs. Eastern Kentucky, Sept. 2), and the sixth of his career. His six rushing scores in 2022 are tied for the conference lead (Maquez Cooper - Kent State University; Lew Nichols - Central Michigan University). Additionally, Evans' three rushing touchdowns against the Broncos are the most for any Eastern player against a conference opponent since the 2020 season, when former quarterback Preston Hutchinson found the end zone three times in the team's game against Ball State, Nov. 11.
FANTASTIC FOUR: Senior wideout Hassan Beydoun has become part of an elite group at Eastern Michigan: The 2,000-yard receiving club. With 2,082 yards through the air in his career, Beydoun is just one of four players to cross into that territory. He currently ranks third all-time in program history, behind Kevin Walter (2,838 yards from 1999-02) and Eric Deslauriers (3,250 yards from 2003-06).
MOVING UP THE RANKS: With his three rushing touchdowns against Western Michigan, Oct. 8, senior running back Samson Evans etched his name into the EMU record books. He now ranks tied for 12th all-time with 20 career touchdowns. Gary Patton holds the all-time record, with 31 touchdowns scored between 1984-87.
SERVED BY SAMSON: Senior Samson Evans is off to a great start through six games in 2022. One of the most consistently good backs in the nation, he currently ranks 12th in the nation with 630 rushing yards. He is first in the MAC and 16th in the country with a 105 rushing yards per game average. Additionally, Evans ranks fourth in the MAC and 38th nationally in all-purpose yards, where he has averaged 117.5 per game in 2022.
AT LONG LASSITER: Junior wide receiver Darius Lassiter recorded a breakout performance for the Green and White in its 45-23 win at Western Michigan, Oct. 8, totaling career bests in receptions (6) and receiving yards (104). His total receiving yards paced the Eagles against the Broncos. The wideout also hauled in his second career touchdown reception. His first came one week earlier against UMass, Oct. 1. Lassister has recorded touchdowns in back-to-back weeks for the first time in his career.
WELCOME BACK, TAYLOR POWELL: Senior quarterback Taylor Powell returned to game action for the first time since Sept. 17 when he took the field against Western Michigan, Oct. 8. Dialed in from the start, Powell finished the day completing 20-for-30 (67%) passes, with 293 yards and three passing touchdowns. The three scores tie a career-high for Powell, who threw three touchdowns in the Eagles' season-opening victory over Eastern Kentucky, Sept. 2. He third ranks in the Mid-American Conference with a 66.1-percent completion tally this season.
DOING THE DRUMMOND DANCE: Back from injury for the first time since EMU's game at Louisiana, Sept. 10, senior wide receiver Dylan Drummond made an immediate impact in the game. He notched his first touchdown reception of the season with 5:52 on the clock in the first quarter to put his team ahead, 14-0. The touchdown, his 12th as an Eagle, is his first since Nov. 9, 2021, in Eastern's game against Ohio. The score snaps a five-game scoring skid for Drummond, the second-longest of his career (six games without a TD to close the 2019 campaign).
BEAT THE DRUM(MOND): Dylan Drummond is among the nation's most impactful wideouts. After four receptions against WMU, Oct. 8, the Cleveland, Ohio native now has 160 career receptions, which ranks 30th among all active FBS players (teammate Hassan Beydoun ranks 10th with 183). Additionally, he has recorded a reception in 34 consecutive games, which is fourth-best among active FBS players.
Last season, Drummond had 64 catches for 704 yards and a team-best six receiving touchdowns - a number that ranks tied for 10th all-time in a single season at EMU. Drummond now has 12 career receiving touchdowns, tied for fifth-most in EMU history.
THE CREIGHTON DIFFERENCE: Head Coach Chris Creighton has won nearly 50 percent (38-of-78) 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.
WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: A common goal in Head Coach Chris Creighton's program, Eastern has won or tied (28 wins, 7 ties) the turnover battle in 35 of its last 38 victories under Creighton. The trend held in EMU's latest win, a 45-23 triumph over Western Michigan, Oct. 8, where the two teams tied in the turnover battle (one lost fumble each).
A CHANCE TO WIN THE MICHIGAN MAC: EMU's win against Western Michigan means it will play for the "Michigan MAC Trophy," when it welcomes Central Michigan to Ypsilanti, Nov. 25. Given annually to one of the Michigan-based, Mid-American Conference institutions (EMU, WMU, CMU), the trophy is awarded to the team which has the best head-to-head record against each other. It is one of just two regularly-awarded trophies between three teams (the other is the Commander-in-Chief's trophy between Army, Navy, and Air Force). Originating in 2005, EMU has claimed ownership of the award four times (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012).
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, 36 of EMU's last 42 MAC games and 52 of its last 66 games overall have either been a win or a one-possession loss. The trend continued with Eastern's 45-23 win over Western Michigan, Oct. 8
HOT START FOR THE OFFENSE: The Eastern Michigan offense got off to a hot start against the Broncos as it moved the ball 75 yards in just seven plays over 1:58 to go ahead, 7-0. The fourth-fastest touchdown drive of the season for EMU, the Eagles have now scored on their game-opening drive in four games this season, including touchdowns in three of the efforts. EMU scored on its opening drive just four times in the entirety of the 2021 campaign.
KEEP ON KNUE(ING): Wide receiver Tanner Knue continued his outstanding senior season against UMass, Oct. 1. The Mason, Ohio native racked up a team-best 72 yards on five receptions, including the team's longest reception of the game, 39 yards. Knue recorded his fifth touchdown of the season, which puts him in a then-tie for the MAC lead for receiving scores. He is currently 12th in the league with 363 yards receiving this season.
RED ZONE PERFECT SNAPPED: The Eastern Michigan offense entered its game at Western Michigan a perfect 19-for-19 in its red zone trips, one of just six teams who was still perfect inside the 20 this season. Unfortunately for EMU, that stretch came to an end against the Broncos. The Green and White were 6-for-7 in its attempts deep in WMU territory, with a missed field goal in the fourth quarter costing the Eagles their perfection. Despite the snapped streak, Eastern is still one of the best teams in the nation when inside its opponent's 20-yard line. EMU is 25-of-26 this season, good for a 96-percent clip. That total is first in the Mid-American Conference and seventh nationally.
YARD STICK: The Eagles outgained Western Michigan,413-299 in total yardage, including a 120-91 advantage on the ground, Oct. 8. The 45-23 win marks the third time EMU has out-rushed its opponents this season, the previous games being at Arizona State, Sept. 17, and versus UMass, Oct. 2. EMU has out-rushed its opponents in consecutive games, the first occurrence of the sort this season.
STIFLING START ON DEFENSE: The Eastern Michigan defense was stout to begin the game at Western Michigan. The Eagles stopped WMU in three consecutive drives to begin the game, its second-such accomplishment this season. EMU held Louisiana without a score in its first six attempts, Sept. 10.
Furthermore, The EMU defense forced a three-and-out to begin the game against WMU, the third time this season EMU has accomplished that feat. It was the 21st time in the Creighton Era (2014-Pres.) that the defense has forced a three-and-out to begin the game. Additionally, it was the fourth time under Creighton the defense has forced its opponent to go three-and-out on their first possession of each half. The last time was Nov. 3, 2018, at home against Central Michigan. Eastern Michigan has forced an initial-drive three-and-out in 28 percent of its game (21-of-76) during Neal Neathery's tenure as Defensive Coordinator (2016-Pres.).
TAKE FIVE (WE GUESS): Eastern's defense held Western's offense to just five total yards in the first quarter of the game between the two rivals, Oct. 8, by far a season-best single-quarter effort for the Green and White. Prior to last week's game, EMU's best single-quarter defensive effort was 35 yards allowed to Arizona State in the first quarter of the team's game in Tempe, Sept. 17. The Eagles have now held opponents under 40 yards in a quarter five times this season.
CAN'T STOP CRAWFORD: Senior Jordan Crawford notched a career first against WMU when he picked up his first-ever fumble recovery with 4:15 left in the first half. It is EMU's third fumble recovery of the season, the first since defensive back Kempton Shine recovered one against Arizona State, Sept. 17. Additionally, Crawford added 0.5 sacks in the victory on Saturday. He now has 1.5 sacks on the season, which ranks second on the team
EVERYONE'S CHASE(ING) HIM: Junior Chase Kline notched six tackles against Western Michigan, Oct. 8, finishing second on the team in the single-game category. The Michigan State transfer leads all Eagles with 53 stops this season, 19 more than the next closest set of Eagles, Jose Ramirez and Joe Sparacio, who each have 34 stops. Kline ranks sixth in the MAC with 8.8 stops per game average this season.
SEVEN SACK ATTACK: The EMU pass rush put together a tremendous effort, totaling seven sacks in the victory over WMU. It marks the 17th time since 1998 that Eastern has recorded five-or-more sacks in a game. The last time EMU did so was Nov. 2, 2021, at Toledo (5.0). EMU's program record for sacks in a game is eight, a number the team hit in its game against Alabama State, Sept. 10, 2011.
HOLDING THEM DOWN: Eastern has held its opponents below 50 percent conversions on third down tries in four consecutive games, dating back to the team's contest at Arizona State, Sept. 17. Most recently, the Eagles held Western Michigan to a 7-for-19 (37%) on third down, the unit's third-best individual effort of the season. That four-game stretch is the best for the Green and White since the 2020 season, when the Eagles held opponents below the 50-percent mark on third down tries in four consecutive games to begin the season.
EMU opponents are converting just 44 percent (37-of-84) of its third-down tries this season.
NIFTY NEAL: Defensive coordinator Neal Neathery continues to prove his schematic talent over the past pair of games for Eastern. In both contests, Oct. 2 versus UMass and Oct. 8 at WMU, the EMU defense has held its opponent under 300 yards of total offense (UMass - 255; WMU - 299). It marks the first time since 2018 that EMU has held back-to-back opponents to less than 300 yards of total offense. That season, EMU limited Central Michigan to 138 yards on 64 plays in a 17-7 triumph, Nov. 3, and followed it up by allowing just 90 yards to Akron in a 27-7 victory, Nov. 10
ONE OF A KIND: Junior Jaylon Jackson has been one of the most electric players in the Mid-American Conference this season. The current MAC leader with a 35.9 yards per return average, a number which ranks 1st nationally, he is also one of just two players across the league to have both a kick return for a touchdown, and a rushing touchdown this season. He is joined only by Western Michigan running back Sean Tyler in that category.
MR. AUTOMATIC: Sophomore kicker Jesus Gomez was perfect on extra points (6-for-6) and added a career-long 42-yard field goal make in Eastern's 45-23 victory over in-state rival WMU, Oct. 8. The six makes are tied for his career-high (6 vs. EKU, Sept. 2). Additionally, Gomez is perfect in point-after attempts this season, knocking through 24 PATs. Gomez is nearly flawless on field goals, where he has drilled 5-of-6 attempts. He is one of just five Mid-American Conference kickers to be successful on 80 percent or more of their respective field goal attempts this season.
RETURNS ACCEPTED HERE: EMU returned one kick for 87 yards against Western Michigan, Oct. 8, continuing what has been a masterclass in the category by the unit this season. The Eagle average 41.0 per try. That average is the most by an EMU squad in the modern statistical era that dates back to the 1999 campaign. The previous standard was 41.0 yards gained per kick return, set just a week ago against UMass, Oct. 1. EMU has just nine games in the last 23 years with an average of 30-or-more yards per kick return. EMU special teams rank first in the MAC and fifth nationally in kickoff returns at 29.9 yards per try. Furthermore, Jaylon Jackson is one of just 17 players in the FBS this season to take a kickoff back to the house.
BATTLE OF EQUALS: EMU will face one of the most statistically-similar teams in the MAC when it welcomes Northern Illinois to town, Oct. 15. The Eagles currently rank fourth in total offense, just one spot behind Northern Illinois. The Huskies score at a 31.7 points per game clip, barely outperforming Eastern's 31.5 points per game this season. Each squad has scored 25 touchdowns, and each has netted five field goals. Overall, NIU has scored 190 points this year to EMU's 189.
Defensively, No. 8 EMU is slated one spot above NIU. Despite the close proximity in ranking, a larger statistical gap has occurred on the defensive side of the ball. NIU allows 38.3 points per game, well above EMU's 31.7. Eastern has allowed six fewer touchdowns (24) than Northern Illinois this season, and lets up about 30 yards less per contest (392.5-422.2) in 2022.
FAMILY TIES: NIU quarterback Rocky Lombardi came to NIU as a well-seasoned veteran with nine starts in 22 games over three seasons at Michigan State. His father, Tony, spent three years (1998-2000) at Eastern Michigan as an assistant coach and was also the interim head coach for the final game of the 1999 season after taking over for Rick Rasnick. Lombardi's one game as EMU's head coach was a 30-24 loss at Northern Illinois, Nov. 20, 1999. Lombardi is the only EMU head football coach to serve for just a single game. Jeff Woodruff then retained Lombardi to coach the running backs and coordinate the special teams for the 2000 season.
ALL-TIME VS NIU: The contest on Saturday will mark the 53rd meeting between EMU and NIU on the football field. The Huskies lead the all-time head-to-head series against the Eagles, 34-16-2. When Eastern and Northern Illinois meet on the gridiron it's always a battle. In the last five meetings, two contests went into overtime. Furthermore, the two programs went into overtime in three consecutive seasons (2016-18) including a bout that went into three overtime periods, Sept. 29, 2018. EMU is 2-3 in the last five meetings against NIU, with the last victory coming in a 41-33 win over the Huskies, Dec. 12, 2020.
LAST TIME VS THE HUSKIES: The last time the two programs met NIU defeated EMU, 27-20. The game featured a 2:45 weather delay, Eastern's first road stoppage since the 2016 season. Despite a second-half comeback in which it outscored NIU 17-14, EMU could not complete the comeback. Hassan Beydoun churned out 167 receiving yards on a career-high 14 receptions. Linebacker Tariq Speights had a team-high 12 tackles in the loss.
CLOSE CONNECTION: A pair of members from EMU's athletic training staff have ties to DeKalb, Ill. Assistant Athletic Trainers Danielle Darroch and Alex Wendler both spent time with NIU prior to joining the Eagles. Darroch began her career as a graduate assistant for the Huskies and was promoted to acting assistant athletic trainer. Wendler also spent time in Northern Illinois' athletic training department serving as a graduate assistant as well. Both Darroch and Wendler earned their master's degrees in sport management from NIU, respectively.
ON THE HORIZON: The Eagles will continue their Mid-American Conference slate with a road trip to Muncie, Ind. to battle Ball State Saturday, Oct. 22. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. inside Scheumann Stadium.
Eastern (4-2, 1-1 MAC) dominated Western Michigan University, 45-23, inside Waldo Stadium in its last appearance, Oct. 8. Samson Evans tied a career-high with three rushing touchdowns, while Jose Ramirez broke the program record with 4.0 sacks in the victory. The Eastern pass rush totaled seven sacks in the win, a season-high for the unit, while the offense churned out a season-high 45 points.
The Huskies (1-5, 0-2 MAC) are looking to get back on track and end their current five-game skid. NIU fell to the University of Toledo, 52-32, in its most recent contest, Oct. 8.
The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+. WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network app will carry the action as Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick will have the call.
STRIKE UP THE BAND: The Band Day contest at Rynearson Stadium will feature 19 local high school bands in attendance, performing as one during a special halftime concert. In total, nearly 1,000 high school student musicians and twirling groups will be in attendance.
A WIN WOULD: A victory Saturday would push EMU's record to 5-2 for the first time since the 2016 season and just the third time since the 1995 campaign. Additionally, a win over NIU would give Eastern its first win over a defending MAC Champion since it took down Bowling Green on the road, 28-25, Oct. 1, 2016.
PURE DOMINATION: With its 22-point, 45-23, win over Western Michigan, Eastern earned its largest margin of victory over the Broncos in the series' history. The previous best was a 19-point, 19-0, win over WMU, which came Oct. 18, 1930.
THE BATTLE FOR I-94-IN A ROW: Eastern Michigan dismantled its in-state rival, Western Michigan, 45-23, to earn its fourth-consecutive victory in the series for the first time in its 58-game history, Oct. 8. Additionally, the Eagles have knocked off the Broncos in consecutive contests on the road for the first time since it did so in a pair of games between 1987-89, respectively. Eastern has only bested Western in consecutive road games at two points in program history (first meeting came in 1906).
JOSE MAKES HISTORY: Senior defensive end Jose Ramirez tallied a career-high four sacks against WMU, Oct. 8. That number is the most in a single game in program history (statistic kept since 1998). The previous best was 3.0, which was held by five other former Eastern players. The four sacks are tied for the second most in a contest in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision this season. Derek Parish from the University of Houston holds the top spot with 4.5 sacks. His 4.0 tackles for loss are also a career-best mark for the Lake Alfred, Fla. native. The performance came just one week after he tied his previous career-high of 3.0 TFLs, against UMass, Oct. 2.
For his efforts, Ramirez was selected the Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week as well as the Breakout Defensive Player for the East-West Shrine Bowl.
GOOD COMPANY: With Eastern's win over Western Michigan, Head Coach Chris Creighton now has 41 victories as the bench boss at Eastern Michigan. That number ties Jim Harkema for fourth-most all-time at EMU. It took Harkema 10 seasons to accomplish the feat. Creighton is in year nine at the helm of the Green and White. Additionally, Creighton has now coached 100 games at Eastern Michigan. He is one of just four coaches in EMU history to reach the 100-games-coached milestone (Elton J. Rynearson - 187, Fred Trosko - 110, Jim Harkema - 103, Chris Creighton - 100).
CREIGHTON BESTS THE BRONCOS: EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton has fared better against Western Michigan than either of EMU's other two main rivals, Central Michigan University and Toledo. Creighton has four wins over WMU since 2014, one more than the pair of victories he holds over CMU and UT, respectively. Additionally, Creighton has yet to best CMU or UT in consecutive seasons, but can cross the Rockets off that list with a victory over Toledo, Oct. 29.
HOLY COW, SIDY SOW: Senior offensive lineman Sidy Sow is one of the most consistent players in EMU program history. With 48 career starts, Sow is just one nod away from tying the program's all-time record, currently held by Vince Calhoun, who started 49 games for the Green and White between 2016-19. Sow's 49 career games played sit just five marks behind all-time leaders Terry Myrick (2017-21) and Jake Julien (2017-21), who each took to the turf 54 times in their respective careers.
BIG TIME OUTPUT: The Eastern Michigan offense put up a season-best 45 points against Western Michigan. The 45 points are the most for EMU since it put up 52 at Toledo, Nov. 2, 2021. Eastern Michigan has scored 45+ points in 11 contests since the start of the Chris Creighton era (2014-Pres.). Five of those games (45%) have come since 2020, when Creighton took over the offensive play calling duties.
FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME: Eastern's 35 points scored in the first half of its game at WMU is the most for the team since the 2017 season, when it dropped the same number en route to a 56-14 win over Ball State, Nov. 2. Eastern Michigan has scored 20+ points in the first half of games 27 times under Chris Creighton. The Eagles are 21-6 in those games. Moreover, nine of those 21 games (43%) have come since the start of the 2020 season, when Creighton began calling the offensive plays for the team. The stat is even more impressive when considering that the 2020 season featured just a six-game slate.
Additionally, the EMU offense totaled a season-best 351 yards in the first half of the game. EMU's previous-best single-half effort, in terms of total first-half yardage was 307, which the team put up against ASU, Sept. 17. Coming into the game, the Eastern Michigan offense had averaged 190.4 yards in the first half of contests this season.
MOVING THE CHAINS: EMU's offense was one of the best in the Mid-American Conference on third down a season ago. Eastern converted 42.4 percent (67-of-158) of its third down tries, which ranked 45th in the nation in the regular season.
The EMU scoring unit is off to a good start in 2022. The Eagles are currently converting at a 51.4 percent clip (38-for-74). That number sits atop the Mid-American Conference and 11th nationally.
EFFICIENT OFFENSE: Eastern Michigan's offense has scored 20+ points in seven consecutive games dating back to Dec. 18, 2021, against Liberty in the LendingTree Bowl. The stretch is the fourth of the sort under Creighton. The best stretch of consecutive 20+-point games came between Oct. 26, 2017-Nov. 3, 2018, when the Eagles accomplished the feat in 14 straight games.
SAMSON. IS. SPECIAL.: One year after ranking third the Mid-American Conference in rushing touchdowns, senior Samson Evans has picked up right where he left off. Evans tied a career-high with three rushing touchdowns against Western Michigan, Oct. 8. He previously hit the same number against Saint Francis University (Pa.), Sept. 3, 2021. The contest is his second multi-touchdown game of the season (vs. Eastern Kentucky, Sept. 2), and the sixth of his career. His six rushing scores in 2022 are tied for the conference lead (Maquez Cooper - Kent State University; Lew Nichols - Central Michigan University). Additionally, Evans' three rushing touchdowns against the Broncos are the most for any Eastern player against a conference opponent since the 2020 season, when former quarterback Preston Hutchinson found the end zone three times in the team's game against Ball State, Nov. 11.
FANTASTIC FOUR: Senior wideout Hassan Beydoun has become part of an elite group at Eastern Michigan: The 2,000-yard receiving club. With 2,082 yards through the air in his career, Beydoun is just one of four players to cross into that territory. He currently ranks third all-time in program history, behind Kevin Walter (2,838 yards from 1999-02) and Eric Deslauriers (3,250 yards from 2003-06).
MOVING UP THE RANKS: With his three rushing touchdowns against Western Michigan, Oct. 8, senior running back Samson Evans etched his name into the EMU record books. He now ranks tied for 12th all-time with 20 career touchdowns. Gary Patton holds the all-time record, with 31 touchdowns scored between 1984-87.
SERVED BY SAMSON: Senior Samson Evans is off to a great start through six games in 2022. One of the most consistently good backs in the nation, he currently ranks 12th in the nation with 630 rushing yards. He is first in the MAC and 16th in the country with a 105 rushing yards per game average. Additionally, Evans ranks fourth in the MAC and 38th nationally in all-purpose yards, where he has averaged 117.5 per game in 2022.
AT LONG LASSITER: Junior wide receiver Darius Lassiter recorded a breakout performance for the Green and White in its 45-23 win at Western Michigan, Oct. 8, totaling career bests in receptions (6) and receiving yards (104). His total receiving yards paced the Eagles against the Broncos. The wideout also hauled in his second career touchdown reception. His first came one week earlier against UMass, Oct. 1. Lassister has recorded touchdowns in back-to-back weeks for the first time in his career.
WELCOME BACK, TAYLOR POWELL: Senior quarterback Taylor Powell returned to game action for the first time since Sept. 17 when he took the field against Western Michigan, Oct. 8. Dialed in from the start, Powell finished the day completing 20-for-30 (67%) passes, with 293 yards and three passing touchdowns. The three scores tie a career-high for Powell, who threw three touchdowns in the Eagles' season-opening victory over Eastern Kentucky, Sept. 2. He third ranks in the Mid-American Conference with a 66.1-percent completion tally this season.
DOING THE DRUMMOND DANCE: Back from injury for the first time since EMU's game at Louisiana, Sept. 10, senior wide receiver Dylan Drummond made an immediate impact in the game. He notched his first touchdown reception of the season with 5:52 on the clock in the first quarter to put his team ahead, 14-0. The touchdown, his 12th as an Eagle, is his first since Nov. 9, 2021, in Eastern's game against Ohio. The score snaps a five-game scoring skid for Drummond, the second-longest of his career (six games without a TD to close the 2019 campaign).
BEAT THE DRUM(MOND): Dylan Drummond is among the nation's most impactful wideouts. After four receptions against WMU, Oct. 8, the Cleveland, Ohio native now has 160 career receptions, which ranks 30th among all active FBS players (teammate Hassan Beydoun ranks 10th with 183). Additionally, he has recorded a reception in 34 consecutive games, which is fourth-best among active FBS players.
Last season, Drummond had 64 catches for 704 yards and a team-best six receiving touchdowns - a number that ranks tied for 10th all-time in a single season at EMU. Drummond now has 12 career receiving touchdowns, tied for fifth-most in EMU history.
THE CREIGHTON DIFFERENCE: Head Coach Chris Creighton has won nearly 50 percent (38-of-78) 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.
WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: A common goal in Head Coach Chris Creighton's program, Eastern has won or tied (28 wins, 7 ties) the turnover battle in 35 of its last 38 victories under Creighton. The trend held in EMU's latest win, a 45-23 triumph over Western Michigan, Oct. 8, where the two teams tied in the turnover battle (one lost fumble each).
A CHANCE TO WIN THE MICHIGAN MAC: EMU's win against Western Michigan means it will play for the "Michigan MAC Trophy," when it welcomes Central Michigan to Ypsilanti, Nov. 25. Given annually to one of the Michigan-based, Mid-American Conference institutions (EMU, WMU, CMU), the trophy is awarded to the team which has the best head-to-head record against each other. It is one of just two regularly-awarded trophies between three teams (the other is the Commander-in-Chief's trophy between Army, Navy, and Air Force). Originating in 2005, EMU has claimed ownership of the award four times (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012).
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, 36 of EMU's last 42 MAC games and 52 of its last 66 games overall have either been a win or a one-possession loss. The trend continued with Eastern's 45-23 win over Western Michigan, Oct. 8
HOT START FOR THE OFFENSE: The Eastern Michigan offense got off to a hot start against the Broncos as it moved the ball 75 yards in just seven plays over 1:58 to go ahead, 7-0. The fourth-fastest touchdown drive of the season for EMU, the Eagles have now scored on their game-opening drive in four games this season, including touchdowns in three of the efforts. EMU scored on its opening drive just four times in the entirety of the 2021 campaign.
KEEP ON KNUE(ING): Wide receiver Tanner Knue continued his outstanding senior season against UMass, Oct. 1. The Mason, Ohio native racked up a team-best 72 yards on five receptions, including the team's longest reception of the game, 39 yards. Knue recorded his fifth touchdown of the season, which puts him in a then-tie for the MAC lead for receiving scores. He is currently 12th in the league with 363 yards receiving this season.
RED ZONE PERFECT SNAPPED: The Eastern Michigan offense entered its game at Western Michigan a perfect 19-for-19 in its red zone trips, one of just six teams who was still perfect inside the 20 this season. Unfortunately for EMU, that stretch came to an end against the Broncos. The Green and White were 6-for-7 in its attempts deep in WMU territory, with a missed field goal in the fourth quarter costing the Eagles their perfection. Despite the snapped streak, Eastern is still one of the best teams in the nation when inside its opponent's 20-yard line. EMU is 25-of-26 this season, good for a 96-percent clip. That total is first in the Mid-American Conference and seventh nationally.
YARD STICK: The Eagles outgained Western Michigan,413-299 in total yardage, including a 120-91 advantage on the ground, Oct. 8. The 45-23 win marks the third time EMU has out-rushed its opponents this season, the previous games being at Arizona State, Sept. 17, and versus UMass, Oct. 2. EMU has out-rushed its opponents in consecutive games, the first occurrence of the sort this season.
STIFLING START ON DEFENSE: The Eastern Michigan defense was stout to begin the game at Western Michigan. The Eagles stopped WMU in three consecutive drives to begin the game, its second-such accomplishment this season. EMU held Louisiana without a score in its first six attempts, Sept. 10.
Furthermore, The EMU defense forced a three-and-out to begin the game against WMU, the third time this season EMU has accomplished that feat. It was the 21st time in the Creighton Era (2014-Pres.) that the defense has forced a three-and-out to begin the game. Additionally, it was the fourth time under Creighton the defense has forced its opponent to go three-and-out on their first possession of each half. The last time was Nov. 3, 2018, at home against Central Michigan. Eastern Michigan has forced an initial-drive three-and-out in 28 percent of its game (21-of-76) during Neal Neathery's tenure as Defensive Coordinator (2016-Pres.).
TAKE FIVE (WE GUESS): Eastern's defense held Western's offense to just five total yards in the first quarter of the game between the two rivals, Oct. 8, by far a season-best single-quarter effort for the Green and White. Prior to last week's game, EMU's best single-quarter defensive effort was 35 yards allowed to Arizona State in the first quarter of the team's game in Tempe, Sept. 17. The Eagles have now held opponents under 40 yards in a quarter five times this season.
CAN'T STOP CRAWFORD: Senior Jordan Crawford notched a career first against WMU when he picked up his first-ever fumble recovery with 4:15 left in the first half. It is EMU's third fumble recovery of the season, the first since defensive back Kempton Shine recovered one against Arizona State, Sept. 17. Additionally, Crawford added 0.5 sacks in the victory on Saturday. He now has 1.5 sacks on the season, which ranks second on the team
EVERYONE'S CHASE(ING) HIM: Junior Chase Kline notched six tackles against Western Michigan, Oct. 8, finishing second on the team in the single-game category. The Michigan State transfer leads all Eagles with 53 stops this season, 19 more than the next closest set of Eagles, Jose Ramirez and Joe Sparacio, who each have 34 stops. Kline ranks sixth in the MAC with 8.8 stops per game average this season.
SEVEN SACK ATTACK: The EMU pass rush put together a tremendous effort, totaling seven sacks in the victory over WMU. It marks the 17th time since 1998 that Eastern has recorded five-or-more sacks in a game. The last time EMU did so was Nov. 2, 2021, at Toledo (5.0). EMU's program record for sacks in a game is eight, a number the team hit in its game against Alabama State, Sept. 10, 2011.
HOLDING THEM DOWN: Eastern has held its opponents below 50 percent conversions on third down tries in four consecutive games, dating back to the team's contest at Arizona State, Sept. 17. Most recently, the Eagles held Western Michigan to a 7-for-19 (37%) on third down, the unit's third-best individual effort of the season. That four-game stretch is the best for the Green and White since the 2020 season, when the Eagles held opponents below the 50-percent mark on third down tries in four consecutive games to begin the season.
EMU opponents are converting just 44 percent (37-of-84) of its third-down tries this season.
NIFTY NEAL: Defensive coordinator Neal Neathery continues to prove his schematic talent over the past pair of games for Eastern. In both contests, Oct. 2 versus UMass and Oct. 8 at WMU, the EMU defense has held its opponent under 300 yards of total offense (UMass - 255; WMU - 299). It marks the first time since 2018 that EMU has held back-to-back opponents to less than 300 yards of total offense. That season, EMU limited Central Michigan to 138 yards on 64 plays in a 17-7 triumph, Nov. 3, and followed it up by allowing just 90 yards to Akron in a 27-7 victory, Nov. 10
ONE OF A KIND: Junior Jaylon Jackson has been one of the most electric players in the Mid-American Conference this season. The current MAC leader with a 35.9 yards per return average, a number which ranks 1st nationally, he is also one of just two players across the league to have both a kick return for a touchdown, and a rushing touchdown this season. He is joined only by Western Michigan running back Sean Tyler in that category.
MR. AUTOMATIC: Sophomore kicker Jesus Gomez was perfect on extra points (6-for-6) and added a career-long 42-yard field goal make in Eastern's 45-23 victory over in-state rival WMU, Oct. 8. The six makes are tied for his career-high (6 vs. EKU, Sept. 2). Additionally, Gomez is perfect in point-after attempts this season, knocking through 24 PATs. Gomez is nearly flawless on field goals, where he has drilled 5-of-6 attempts. He is one of just five Mid-American Conference kickers to be successful on 80 percent or more of their respective field goal attempts this season.
RETURNS ACCEPTED HERE: EMU returned one kick for 87 yards against Western Michigan, Oct. 8, continuing what has been a masterclass in the category by the unit this season. The Eagle average 41.0 per try. That average is the most by an EMU squad in the modern statistical era that dates back to the 1999 campaign. The previous standard was 41.0 yards gained per kick return, set just a week ago against UMass, Oct. 1. EMU has just nine games in the last 23 years with an average of 30-or-more yards per kick return. EMU special teams rank first in the MAC and fifth nationally in kickoff returns at 29.9 yards per try. Furthermore, Jaylon Jackson is one of just 17 players in the FBS this season to take a kickoff back to the house.
BATTLE OF EQUALS: EMU will face one of the most statistically-similar teams in the MAC when it welcomes Northern Illinois to town, Oct. 15. The Eagles currently rank fourth in total offense, just one spot behind Northern Illinois. The Huskies score at a 31.7 points per game clip, barely outperforming Eastern's 31.5 points per game this season. Each squad has scored 25 touchdowns, and each has netted five field goals. Overall, NIU has scored 190 points this year to EMU's 189.
Defensively, No. 8 EMU is slated one spot above NIU. Despite the close proximity in ranking, a larger statistical gap has occurred on the defensive side of the ball. NIU allows 38.3 points per game, well above EMU's 31.7. Eastern has allowed six fewer touchdowns (24) than Northern Illinois this season, and lets up about 30 yards less per contest (392.5-422.2) in 2022.
FAMILY TIES: NIU quarterback Rocky Lombardi came to NIU as a well-seasoned veteran with nine starts in 22 games over three seasons at Michigan State. His father, Tony, spent three years (1998-2000) at Eastern Michigan as an assistant coach and was also the interim head coach for the final game of the 1999 season after taking over for Rick Rasnick. Lombardi's one game as EMU's head coach was a 30-24 loss at Northern Illinois, Nov. 20, 1999. Lombardi is the only EMU head football coach to serve for just a single game. Jeff Woodruff then retained Lombardi to coach the running backs and coordinate the special teams for the 2000 season.
ALL-TIME VS NIU: The contest on Saturday will mark the 53rd meeting between EMU and NIU on the football field. The Huskies lead the all-time head-to-head series against the Eagles, 34-16-2. When Eastern and Northern Illinois meet on the gridiron it's always a battle. In the last five meetings, two contests went into overtime. Furthermore, the two programs went into overtime in three consecutive seasons (2016-18) including a bout that went into three overtime periods, Sept. 29, 2018. EMU is 2-3 in the last five meetings against NIU, with the last victory coming in a 41-33 win over the Huskies, Dec. 12, 2020.
LAST TIME VS THE HUSKIES: The last time the two programs met NIU defeated EMU, 27-20. The game featured a 2:45 weather delay, Eastern's first road stoppage since the 2016 season. Despite a second-half comeback in which it outscored NIU 17-14, EMU could not complete the comeback. Hassan Beydoun churned out 167 receiving yards on a career-high 14 receptions. Linebacker Tariq Speights had a team-high 12 tackles in the loss.
CLOSE CONNECTION: A pair of members from EMU's athletic training staff have ties to DeKalb, Ill. Assistant Athletic Trainers Danielle Darroch and Alex Wendler both spent time with NIU prior to joining the Eagles. Darroch began her career as a graduate assistant for the Huskies and was promoted to acting assistant athletic trainer. Wendler also spent time in Northern Illinois' athletic training department serving as a graduate assistant as well. Both Darroch and Wendler earned their master's degrees in sport management from NIU, respectively.
ON THE HORIZON: The Eagles will continue their Mid-American Conference slate with a road trip to Muncie, Ind. to battle Ball State Saturday, Oct. 22. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. inside Scheumann Stadium.
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/ Football2025-26 EMU Athletics In-Review
Tuesday, April 21
Spring Weekend 2026 Cinematic Recap
Monday, April 20
White Defeats Green in Annual Spring Football Game
Saturday, April 18
2026 Spring Game Press Conference
Saturday, April 18