Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, November 8
Akron, Ohio
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Akron
EMU Travels to Akron Tuesday, Nov. 8, to Kickoff #MACtion
11/3/2022 10:30:00 AM | Football
Game 10 • Nov. 8, 2022 • 7 p.m. • Akron, Ohio • InfoCision Stadium (30,000)
| Football at Akron | |
| Date | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 7 p.m. ET |
| Venue | Akron, Ohio | InfoCision Stadium |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes | Media Guide | Press Conference Video |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| Watch | CBS Sports Network | Channel Finder for CBSSN |
| Listen | WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) | The Varsity Network App | Eastern Insider Podcast |
| @EMUFB | @EMUAthletics | |
AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – After a nine-day break from competition, the Eastern Michigan University football team will return to the field for a midweek, Mid-American Conference (commonly dubbed "#MACtion") matchup at the University of Akron Tuesday, Nov. 8. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. inside Akron's InfoCision Stadium.
EMU (5-4, 2-3 MAC) hopes to get back on track after a heartbreaking, 27-24 defeat at the hands of Toledo, Oct. 29. EMU held a four-point edge with just minutes on the clock before the Rockets punched in the game-winning score. Meanwhile, Akron (1-8, 0-5 MAC) is in search of its first conference victory. The Zips fell, 27-9, to Miami in their most recent game.
The game will be aired nationally on CBS Sports Network where Jason Knapp and Ross Tucker will be in the booth. WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network app will also air the game, with Tom Helmer (play-by-play) and Rob Rubick (analyst) providing the entertainment.
ONE MORE FOR A BOWL: A win over Akron would give Eastern Michigan bowl eligibility for the fifth time in the previous six full seasons, and just the seventh time in program history. A win would also give EMU bowl eligibility in four consecutive seasons for the first time in program history (excluding COVID-shortened 2020 season).
CLOSING IN NOVEMBER: EMU is 12-11 in the month of November the last six years. In the six seasons prior, Eastern combined for a total of 15 wins. Furthermore, if you exclude 2020's COVID-adjusted season when the schedule began in November, EMU's winning percentage jumps to .632 (12-7).
NO STRANGER TO CLOSE GAMES: EMU is accustomed to close games since 2016, as 46 of the team's last 79 games (58%) have been decided by eight-or-less points. Furthermore, 31 of those contests have come in MAC play. All told, Eastern has played four one possession games in 2022, only Ball State, Bowling Green, Miami, and Northern Illinois have played in a tighter window with five.
EVANS KEEPS ON EATING: Senior running back Samson Evans scored three touchdowns for the Eagles against Toledo, Oct. 29. His first, which opened the scoring for the Green and White with 3:35 left in the first quarter, marked the second game of the 2022 campaign in which he was the first player to score for EMU. His three scores brought the Crystal Lake, Ill., native to first in the MAC standings with nine touchdowns. Additionally, Saturday's competition was Evans' second game this season with at least three touchdowns (Western Michigan) and fourth with at least one (Eastern Kentucky, Arizona State, Western Michigan, and Toledo).
The three touchdowns are the most allowed to an individual by Toledo since the 2019 campaign, when Buffalo's Jarrett Patterson found the pay dirt four times against the Rockets, Nov. 20 of that season.
SAMSON STAMPS HIS NAME: With 23 career touchdowns at EMU, senior running back Samson Evans has tied Bob Foster (1986-88) for seventh-most in program history, and is one away from tying Shaq Vann (2015-19) for sixth on the charts.
SERVED BY SAMSON: Senior Samson Evans is off to a great start through seven games in 2022. One of the most consistent backs in the nation, he currently ranks 29th in the nation with 722 rushing yards. He is fourth in the MAC and 31st in the country with a 90.2 rushing yards per game average. Additionally, Evans ranks seventh in the MAC in all-purpose yards, where he has averaged 100.6 per game in 2022.
DIALING DR. NEATHERY: Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery has made significant adjustments to the EMU defense over its last five games, and the statistics show. Eastern has improved in every major statistical category, most notably in points allowed, and opponent passing yardage.
FINDING THE FUMBLES: Eastern Michigan recorded two fumble recoveries in the second quarter against Toledo. The statistic marks the first game this season the Eagles have recovered multiple fumble recoveries, and the fourth time this season in which the Green and White has recorded at least one fumble picked up (Ball State, Arizona State, Eastern Kentucky).
JOSE STAYS RED HOT: Already one of the most dominant pass rushers in college football, senior defensive end Jose Ramirez was outstanding in EMU's game against Toledo, Oct. 29. He led the team with a season-best nine tackles, including two tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Ramirez was in on two fumbles in the game, first recovering a Jacquez Stewart miscue in the second quarter that set the Eagles up with goal-to-go from the Rocket five-yard-line, leading to a one-yard Samson Evans touchdown that gave the Eagles a 17-10 lead. Later in the game, Ramirez recorded a strip sack that UT recovered. Overall, his two tackles for loss today moved him into the MAC lead with 12.5 on the season and also leads in TFL yardage with 70 on the season.
With his sack, Ramirez now has 16.5 sacks in his career, which moved him up to seventh all-time in program history, moving past Jeremiah Harris (2014-18), who totaled 16.0 in his career. Additionally, the 2.0 TFLs Ramirez recorded against the Rockets moved him up to 27.0 TFLs in his career, tying him with Josh Hunt (2005-08) for eighth in program history. He also recorded two quarterback hurries and batted down one pass at the line.
TOLEDO'S STREAK SNAPPED: The Eastern Michigan defense held Toledo without a rushing touchdown in the contest between the two squads, Oct. 29. That snapped a streak of 18 consecutive games in which Toledo had found the pay dirt via the ground. The last time the Midnight Blue and Gold did not score a rushing touchdown was Sept. 18, 2021.
FIRST TIME FOR CORRY: Junior defensive back Corry Thomas Jr. made a play to remember in EMU's 37-24 setback to Toledo, Oct. 29. The Ecorse, Mich., native jumped on a muffed punt by the Rockets to officially record his first career fumble recovery. A season of firsts, Thomas also notched his first career tackle earlier this season at Louisiana, Sept. 10.
ON PACE FOR A FOURTH: EMU special teams continue to be a strong point for the team this season, and that is aided by sophomore punter Mitchell Tomasek. Through nine games, he leads the Mid-American Conference with a 45.4 yards per punt average, a number which sits atop the Mid-American Conference and ranks 10th nationally. Furthermore, he has on three occasions been named West Division Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 5, Oct. 3, and Oct. 31)
If Tomasek finishes the season as the MAC's leading punter, it will mark the fourth consecutive season in which an Eastern Michigan punter has held that title. Former Eagle Jake Julien (2017-21) led the conference in punting average in each of the previous three seasons, respectively. Julien is the program record holder for career punting average, at 44.0 yards.
I LIKE BIG PUNTS: The Eastern Michigan defense was stout to start the game against the Rockets, forcing Toledo to punt on its first possession of the game. EMU has now stopped its opponent on the first drive of contests in seven of its nine contests this season, forcing five punts and corralling one interception during those occurrences. Additionally, five of the seven have been three-and-outs. Only Buffalo, Sept. 24, and Massachusetts, Oct. 1, have scored on their respective first drives.
NO SOUP FOR YOU: Eastern Michigan kept the Toledo offense off the scoreboard for the entirety of the first quarter. It marks the sixth time this season that EMU has held an opponent scoreless in the first 15 minutes of play, including the second consecutive. EMU began the season with three straight contests in which it did not allow a first-quarter point. Last season, EMU only held opponents off the board in the first quarter three times in 13 games.
FIRST TO SCORE: EMU was first on the board in its matchup with Toledo, Oct. 29, scoring a touchdown with 3:35 on the clock in the first quarter. The Eagles' touchdown in the first quarter marks the fourth contest of the season the Green and White have scored before its opponent, the previous three coming against Sun Belt Conference member Louisiana, Sept. 10, PAC-12 member Arizona State, Sept. 17, and intrastate MAC rival Western Michigan, Oct. 8.
HOT IN THE FIRST HALF: Saturday's competition against Toledo was the fourth time this season EMU has scored at least 17 points by halftime (Arizona State, Buffalo, Western Michigan). Eastern is now 2-2 in those games in 2022. The Eastern Michigan offense scored 17 or more first half points just five times in 13 games a season ago.
DRUMMOND'S STREAK ENDS: Senior wide receiver Dylan Drummond was unable to covert a reception in EMU's game against Toledo, Oct. 29, snapping a 36-game streak with at least one reception for the Green and White. That stretch was the fourth-best among any player in the NCAA, and dated back to the 2018 campaign. Prior to EMU's game against the Rockets, Drummond's last game without a catch was Nov. 10, 2018, against Akron.
While his streak may be over, Drummond is still one of the most reliable pass catchers in the nation. He currently ranks 29th among all active NCAA players with 164 receptions in his career.
DRUMMOND DROPS A DIME: Although Dylan Drummond was unable to record a catch against Toledo, Oct. 29, he did make an important impact on the game as a pass thrower. The Cleveland, Ohio native helped spark the EMU offense in the third-quarter when he delivered a career-long 23-yard dart to teammate Tanner Knue. The second pass attempt, and completion, of his career was his longest, and was also the team's longest at any point in the game against the Rockets. The toss was Drummond's first since he completed a 13-yard attempt against Texas State, Sept. 25, 2022.
WAY TO BE(YDOUN): Senior wide out Dyland Drummond is not the only Eagle that is named on a nationally-scoped list. After a five-reception game against Toledo, fellow senior wide receiver, Hassan Beydoun now has 201 in his career. That number ranks ninth among all active players in the NCAA.
FANTASTIC FOUR: Senior wideout Hassan Beydoun has become part of an elite group at Eastern Michigan: The 2,000-yard receiving club. With 2,204 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).
ONE OF THREE: With his five receptions against Toledo, Oct. 29, senior Hassan Beydoun officially became just the third EMU player in program history to cross the 200-reception threshold. He sits behind former Eagles Kevin Walter (1999-2002), with 211, and Eric Deslauriers (2003-06), who hauled in 248.
EFFICIENT OFFENSE: Eastern Michigan's offense has scored 20+ points in nine of its last 10 games, including a stretch of seven consecutive games dating between Dec. 18, 2021, against Liberty in the LendingTree Bowl, and Oct. 8, 2022, at Western Michigan. The best stretch of consecutive 20+-point games under Chris Creighton came between Oct. 26, 2017-Nov. 3, 2018, when the Eagles accomplished the feat in 14 straight games.
BACK ON TRACK IN THE RED ZONE: Red zone scoring continues to be a highlight for the Eastern Michigan offense. The Green and White was a perfect 4-for-4 in its chances inside Toledo's 20-yard line, Oct. 29, elevating its season total to 32-for-33 (97%). That number ranks fourth in the nation.
BACK ON TRACK: After a season-low 2-of-13 on third-down against Northern Illinois, Oct. 15, EMU has bounced back in its most recent two affairs. The Eagles finished their contest at Ball State, Oct. 22, at a 9-of-16 mark. The 56.3-percent rate of conversion marks the fourth time the Eagles have moved the chains on third down at a better than 55 percent rate this season. The team followed that up with a 7-of-16 performance against the Rockets of Toledo, Oct. 29. The Eagles are 57-of-118 (48%) on third-down tries this season, which ranks first in the MAC and 26th nationally.
ALL-TIME VS AKRON: The contest on Tuesday will mark the 34th meeting between EMU and UA. The Zips lead the all-time head-to-head series against the Eagles 19-14. Despite the record, the Eagles prevailed in three of the last five meetings, outscoring Akron, 127-122. Additionally, Eastern will look to take three straight from Akron, defeating the Zips in the last two games. EMU's longest winning streak against the Zips is four spanning from 1994-97.
LAST TIME VS THE ZIPS: The last time the two programs met EMU dominated UA, 42-12, inside InfoCision Stadium, Nov. 12, 2019. Eastern dominated every aspect of the game en route to its fourth-ever win in the Rubber City. Offensively, the Eagles were extremely efficient, racking up 42 points, 6.0 yards per rush, and six total touchdowns (each rushing), all season-bests. The last time EMU tallied six scores on the ground in a single-game was against Indiana State in the 2008 season opener, Aug. 28.
Former Eagle running back, now graduate assistant, Shaq Vann turned in his best-ever performance, using 28 rushing attempts to compile 142 yards on the ground and four rushing TDs. With his fourth rushing score, Vann became the first Eagle to rush for four touchdowns since the 2012 season, when Bronson Hill hit that number against Toledo, Oct. 13.
CLOSE CONNECTIONS: The Eastern Michigan Athletics department has multiple staff members with ties to the Zips. EMU's Director of Sports Performance Deonte Mack had a one-year stint at Akron (2020), serving as the Zips director of athletic performance and strength and conditioning coach, working closely with the football program. Assistant Sports Performance Coach Bryce Richard also spent a season (2021) for the Zips as an assistant sports performance coach.
THE ESPNU SNAFU: Eastern Michigan was unable to break one of its unwelcomed trends when it took the field against Toledo, Oct. 29. The game was Eastern's 13th all-time on ESPNU; Unfortunately, the Eagles are still searching for their first win on the national television network.
CHECKING IN ON THE PAC-12: According to ESPN's Chris Falica, PAC-12 home favorites are 30-1 this year as of Oct. 22. The lone loss? EMU's 31-20 triumph over Arizona State, Sept. 17.
ON THE HORIZON: Eastern remains in northeast Ohio for a tilt against Kent State University Wednesday, Nov. 16. Game time will either be 6, 7, or 8 p.m. from Dix Stadium.
EMU (5-4, 2-3 MAC) hopes to get back on track after a heartbreaking, 27-24 defeat at the hands of Toledo, Oct. 29. EMU held a four-point edge with just minutes on the clock before the Rockets punched in the game-winning score. Meanwhile, Akron (1-8, 0-5 MAC) is in search of its first conference victory. The Zips fell, 27-9, to Miami in their most recent game.
The game will be aired nationally on CBS Sports Network where Jason Knapp and Ross Tucker will be in the booth. WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network app will also air the game, with Tom Helmer (play-by-play) and Rob Rubick (analyst) providing the entertainment.
ONE MORE FOR A BOWL: A win over Akron would give Eastern Michigan bowl eligibility for the fifth time in the previous six full seasons, and just the seventh time in program history. A win would also give EMU bowl eligibility in four consecutive seasons for the first time in program history (excluding COVID-shortened 2020 season).
CLOSING IN NOVEMBER: EMU is 12-11 in the month of November the last six years. In the six seasons prior, Eastern combined for a total of 15 wins. Furthermore, if you exclude 2020's COVID-adjusted season when the schedule began in November, EMU's winning percentage jumps to .632 (12-7).
NO STRANGER TO CLOSE GAMES: EMU is accustomed to close games since 2016, as 46 of the team's last 79 games (58%) have been decided by eight-or-less points. Furthermore, 31 of those contests have come in MAC play. All told, Eastern has played four one possession games in 2022, only Ball State, Bowling Green, Miami, and Northern Illinois have played in a tighter window with five.
EVANS KEEPS ON EATING: Senior running back Samson Evans scored three touchdowns for the Eagles against Toledo, Oct. 29. His first, which opened the scoring for the Green and White with 3:35 left in the first quarter, marked the second game of the 2022 campaign in which he was the first player to score for EMU. His three scores brought the Crystal Lake, Ill., native to first in the MAC standings with nine touchdowns. Additionally, Saturday's competition was Evans' second game this season with at least three touchdowns (Western Michigan) and fourth with at least one (Eastern Kentucky, Arizona State, Western Michigan, and Toledo).
The three touchdowns are the most allowed to an individual by Toledo since the 2019 campaign, when Buffalo's Jarrett Patterson found the pay dirt four times against the Rockets, Nov. 20 of that season.
SAMSON STAMPS HIS NAME: With 23 career touchdowns at EMU, senior running back Samson Evans has tied Bob Foster (1986-88) for seventh-most in program history, and is one away from tying Shaq Vann (2015-19) for sixth on the charts.
SERVED BY SAMSON: Senior Samson Evans is off to a great start through seven games in 2022. One of the most consistent backs in the nation, he currently ranks 29th in the nation with 722 rushing yards. He is fourth in the MAC and 31st in the country with a 90.2 rushing yards per game average. Additionally, Evans ranks seventh in the MAC in all-purpose yards, where he has averaged 100.6 per game in 2022.
DIALING DR. NEATHERY: Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery has made significant adjustments to the EMU defense over its last five games, and the statistics show. Eastern has improved in every major statistical category, most notably in points allowed, and opponent passing yardage.
FINDING THE FUMBLES: Eastern Michigan recorded two fumble recoveries in the second quarter against Toledo. The statistic marks the first game this season the Eagles have recovered multiple fumble recoveries, and the fourth time this season in which the Green and White has recorded at least one fumble picked up (Ball State, Arizona State, Eastern Kentucky).
JOSE STAYS RED HOT: Already one of the most dominant pass rushers in college football, senior defensive end Jose Ramirez was outstanding in EMU's game against Toledo, Oct. 29. He led the team with a season-best nine tackles, including two tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Ramirez was in on two fumbles in the game, first recovering a Jacquez Stewart miscue in the second quarter that set the Eagles up with goal-to-go from the Rocket five-yard-line, leading to a one-yard Samson Evans touchdown that gave the Eagles a 17-10 lead. Later in the game, Ramirez recorded a strip sack that UT recovered. Overall, his two tackles for loss today moved him into the MAC lead with 12.5 on the season and also leads in TFL yardage with 70 on the season.
With his sack, Ramirez now has 16.5 sacks in his career, which moved him up to seventh all-time in program history, moving past Jeremiah Harris (2014-18), who totaled 16.0 in his career. Additionally, the 2.0 TFLs Ramirez recorded against the Rockets moved him up to 27.0 TFLs in his career, tying him with Josh Hunt (2005-08) for eighth in program history. He also recorded two quarterback hurries and batted down one pass at the line.
TOLEDO'S STREAK SNAPPED: The Eastern Michigan defense held Toledo without a rushing touchdown in the contest between the two squads, Oct. 29. That snapped a streak of 18 consecutive games in which Toledo had found the pay dirt via the ground. The last time the Midnight Blue and Gold did not score a rushing touchdown was Sept. 18, 2021.
FIRST TIME FOR CORRY: Junior defensive back Corry Thomas Jr. made a play to remember in EMU's 37-24 setback to Toledo, Oct. 29. The Ecorse, Mich., native jumped on a muffed punt by the Rockets to officially record his first career fumble recovery. A season of firsts, Thomas also notched his first career tackle earlier this season at Louisiana, Sept. 10.
ON PACE FOR A FOURTH: EMU special teams continue to be a strong point for the team this season, and that is aided by sophomore punter Mitchell Tomasek. Through nine games, he leads the Mid-American Conference with a 45.4 yards per punt average, a number which sits atop the Mid-American Conference and ranks 10th nationally. Furthermore, he has on three occasions been named West Division Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 5, Oct. 3, and Oct. 31)
If Tomasek finishes the season as the MAC's leading punter, it will mark the fourth consecutive season in which an Eastern Michigan punter has held that title. Former Eagle Jake Julien (2017-21) led the conference in punting average in each of the previous three seasons, respectively. Julien is the program record holder for career punting average, at 44.0 yards.
I LIKE BIG PUNTS: The Eastern Michigan defense was stout to start the game against the Rockets, forcing Toledo to punt on its first possession of the game. EMU has now stopped its opponent on the first drive of contests in seven of its nine contests this season, forcing five punts and corralling one interception during those occurrences. Additionally, five of the seven have been three-and-outs. Only Buffalo, Sept. 24, and Massachusetts, Oct. 1, have scored on their respective first drives.
NO SOUP FOR YOU: Eastern Michigan kept the Toledo offense off the scoreboard for the entirety of the first quarter. It marks the sixth time this season that EMU has held an opponent scoreless in the first 15 minutes of play, including the second consecutive. EMU began the season with three straight contests in which it did not allow a first-quarter point. Last season, EMU only held opponents off the board in the first quarter three times in 13 games.
FIRST TO SCORE: EMU was first on the board in its matchup with Toledo, Oct. 29, scoring a touchdown with 3:35 on the clock in the first quarter. The Eagles' touchdown in the first quarter marks the fourth contest of the season the Green and White have scored before its opponent, the previous three coming against Sun Belt Conference member Louisiana, Sept. 10, PAC-12 member Arizona State, Sept. 17, and intrastate MAC rival Western Michigan, Oct. 8.
HOT IN THE FIRST HALF: Saturday's competition against Toledo was the fourth time this season EMU has scored at least 17 points by halftime (Arizona State, Buffalo, Western Michigan). Eastern is now 2-2 in those games in 2022. The Eastern Michigan offense scored 17 or more first half points just five times in 13 games a season ago.
DRUMMOND'S STREAK ENDS: Senior wide receiver Dylan Drummond was unable to covert a reception in EMU's game against Toledo, Oct. 29, snapping a 36-game streak with at least one reception for the Green and White. That stretch was the fourth-best among any player in the NCAA, and dated back to the 2018 campaign. Prior to EMU's game against the Rockets, Drummond's last game without a catch was Nov. 10, 2018, against Akron.
While his streak may be over, Drummond is still one of the most reliable pass catchers in the nation. He currently ranks 29th among all active NCAA players with 164 receptions in his career.
DRUMMOND DROPS A DIME: Although Dylan Drummond was unable to record a catch against Toledo, Oct. 29, he did make an important impact on the game as a pass thrower. The Cleveland, Ohio native helped spark the EMU offense in the third-quarter when he delivered a career-long 23-yard dart to teammate Tanner Knue. The second pass attempt, and completion, of his career was his longest, and was also the team's longest at any point in the game against the Rockets. The toss was Drummond's first since he completed a 13-yard attempt against Texas State, Sept. 25, 2022.
WAY TO BE(YDOUN): Senior wide out Dyland Drummond is not the only Eagle that is named on a nationally-scoped list. After a five-reception game against Toledo, fellow senior wide receiver, Hassan Beydoun now has 201 in his career. That number ranks ninth among all active players in the NCAA.
FANTASTIC FOUR: Senior wideout Hassan Beydoun has become part of an elite group at Eastern Michigan: The 2,000-yard receiving club. With 2,204 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).
ONE OF THREE: With his five receptions against Toledo, Oct. 29, senior Hassan Beydoun officially became just the third EMU player in program history to cross the 200-reception threshold. He sits behind former Eagles Kevin Walter (1999-2002), with 211, and Eric Deslauriers (2003-06), who hauled in 248.
EFFICIENT OFFENSE: Eastern Michigan's offense has scored 20+ points in nine of its last 10 games, including a stretch of seven consecutive games dating between Dec. 18, 2021, against Liberty in the LendingTree Bowl, and Oct. 8, 2022, at Western Michigan. The best stretch of consecutive 20+-point games under Chris Creighton came between Oct. 26, 2017-Nov. 3, 2018, when the Eagles accomplished the feat in 14 straight games.
BACK ON TRACK IN THE RED ZONE: Red zone scoring continues to be a highlight for the Eastern Michigan offense. The Green and White was a perfect 4-for-4 in its chances inside Toledo's 20-yard line, Oct. 29, elevating its season total to 32-for-33 (97%). That number ranks fourth in the nation.
BACK ON TRACK: After a season-low 2-of-13 on third-down against Northern Illinois, Oct. 15, EMU has bounced back in its most recent two affairs. The Eagles finished their contest at Ball State, Oct. 22, at a 9-of-16 mark. The 56.3-percent rate of conversion marks the fourth time the Eagles have moved the chains on third down at a better than 55 percent rate this season. The team followed that up with a 7-of-16 performance against the Rockets of Toledo, Oct. 29. The Eagles are 57-of-118 (48%) on third-down tries this season, which ranks first in the MAC and 26th nationally.
ALL-TIME VS AKRON: The contest on Tuesday will mark the 34th meeting between EMU and UA. The Zips lead the all-time head-to-head series against the Eagles 19-14. Despite the record, the Eagles prevailed in three of the last five meetings, outscoring Akron, 127-122. Additionally, Eastern will look to take three straight from Akron, defeating the Zips in the last two games. EMU's longest winning streak against the Zips is four spanning from 1994-97.
LAST TIME VS THE ZIPS: The last time the two programs met EMU dominated UA, 42-12, inside InfoCision Stadium, Nov. 12, 2019. Eastern dominated every aspect of the game en route to its fourth-ever win in the Rubber City. Offensively, the Eagles were extremely efficient, racking up 42 points, 6.0 yards per rush, and six total touchdowns (each rushing), all season-bests. The last time EMU tallied six scores on the ground in a single-game was against Indiana State in the 2008 season opener, Aug. 28.
Former Eagle running back, now graduate assistant, Shaq Vann turned in his best-ever performance, using 28 rushing attempts to compile 142 yards on the ground and four rushing TDs. With his fourth rushing score, Vann became the first Eagle to rush for four touchdowns since the 2012 season, when Bronson Hill hit that number against Toledo, Oct. 13.
CLOSE CONNECTIONS: The Eastern Michigan Athletics department has multiple staff members with ties to the Zips. EMU's Director of Sports Performance Deonte Mack had a one-year stint at Akron (2020), serving as the Zips director of athletic performance and strength and conditioning coach, working closely with the football program. Assistant Sports Performance Coach Bryce Richard also spent a season (2021) for the Zips as an assistant sports performance coach.
THE ESPNU SNAFU: Eastern Michigan was unable to break one of its unwelcomed trends when it took the field against Toledo, Oct. 29. The game was Eastern's 13th all-time on ESPNU; Unfortunately, the Eagles are still searching for their first win on the national television network.
CHECKING IN ON THE PAC-12: According to ESPN's Chris Falica, PAC-12 home favorites are 30-1 this year as of Oct. 22. The lone loss? EMU's 31-20 triumph over Arizona State, Sept. 17.
ON THE HORIZON: Eastern remains in northeast Ohio for a tilt against Kent State University Wednesday, Nov. 16. Game time will either be 6, 7, or 8 p.m. from Dix Stadium.
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