EMU Football Opens 2022 Campaign Friday with Eastern Kentucky

Football vs. Eastern Kentucky
Date	Friday, Sept. 2 \| 7 p.m. ET
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Rynearson Stadium
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Media Guide \| Press Conference Video
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	ESPN3
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| The Varsity Network App \| Eastern Insider Podcast
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Attendance Info	Purchase Tickets

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – It's time to clock in, because college football is back in Ypsilanti! The 2022 Eastern Michigan University football season is set to begin Friday, Sept. 2, when EMU welcomes Eastern Kentucky University to town for a 7 p.m. matchup inside The Factory at Rynearson Stadium.
   The contest will be broadcast on ESPN3, where Dan Gutowski (play-by-play) and Marcus Ray (analyst) will have the call. The game will also be aired on WEMU (89.1 FM) with veteran Tom Helmer on the call. He'll be joined in the booth by former Eagle offensive lineman Brian Guimon for the week one affair.

COMMUNIVERSITE NIGHT: EMU Athletics is excited to announce an array of festivities taking place this season, including the return of CommUniversitE Night against EKU. Presented by EMU's proud corporate partner, DTE Energy, CommUniversitE Night is a family-centric event that will showcase and celebrate the people who make our university and community a special place to live, work, and learn.
    Prior to kickoff, fans can enjoy a free petting zoo and carnival games, interact with EMU student-athletes and coaches, and pick up coupons from local business partners.

KICKING OFF THE SEASON AT HOME: EMU is 78-46-1 (.624) all-time in its home opener. Furthermore, the Eagles are 44-17-1 (.717) when opening the season at home. Friday's game marks the 12th time in the last 15 years that the Eagles have opened the season at home in Rynearson Stadium.

131 YEARS OF FOOTBALL: This is the 131st 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.

LUCK OF THE DRAW: Friday's game will mark the seventh time in nine years under Head Coach Chris Creighton that his team has opened its season in Ypsilanti. Starting the year in front of a home crowd has worked well for the Eagles in that span, as the team is 5-1 in season-debuting home games since 2014.
   Overall, Creighton-led EMU teams are 6-2 in its season openers, with the two losses coming to Old Dominion in 2015 and Kent State in 2020. Those two contests were lost by a combined eight points.

OPENING AT RYNEARSON: EMU's game against Eastern Kentucky, Sept. 2, will mark the 54th season for the team inside Rynearson Stadium. EMU has played well in home lid-lifters in its previous 53 attempts, where it has compiled a 30-23 record. Eastern's best streak saw it win six between 1985-90.

IN SEASON-OPENERS: Friday, Sept. 2 will mark the 131st season of EMU football. In its previous 130 opening games, Eastern has mustered a record of 61-61-8. The team has gone on season-opening win streaks of five games or better on four different occasions, most recently between the years of 1985-89 when it hit the mark under Jim Harkema. Chris Creighton's teams won four straight between 2016-19.
   Perhaps the most interesting portion of the record is the eight ties, the last of which came via a 14-all stalemate with North Dakota State to open the 1970 season. EMU opened three consecutive seasons with a tie between the years of 1939-41.

STABILITY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME: In his ninth season in Ypsilanti, EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton is tied as the 13th-longest-tenured Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) head coach. While they are both in their ninth season, respectively, Creighton is technically the second-longest tenured head coach in the conference by hiring date, falling just three days short of Miami's Chuck Martin.

CREIGHTON CLIMBING: With seven more wins in the 2021 campaign, 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 four 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 four 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.

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.

THE CREIGHTON DIFFERENCE: Head Coach Chris Creighton has won nearly 50 percent (34-of-70) 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: When Chris Creighton steps onto the "EMU gray," field Sept. 2, to lead the Eagles against EKU, he will officially begin his ninth year at the helm of the program. Nine coaches (five head and four interim), have come and gone at EMU since the last time a head-man has coached nine years (Jim Harkema, 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.

ALL-TIME VS EASTERN KENTUCKY: Friday marks the fifth time the EMU and EKU have met on the gridiron, the first in 51 years. Eastern will be looking for its first win against Eastern Kentucky, as EMU's record against the Atlantic Sun Conference team stands at 0-3-1 all time. The last time the two teams met was Oct. 16, 1971, ending in a 0-0 draw at home for the Eagles.

FLYING HIGH OVER THE FCS: Eastern holds a 71-55-10 (55.9%) record when playing Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams in regular season matchups. While the Eagles are looking for their first win over an Atlantic Sun Conference team, EMU is 5-0 all-time against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and 2-0 in games against both the Northeast and Southwestern Athletic Conferences.

FIRST TIME VS. THE ATLANTIC SUN: EMU's game against EKU will mark its first technical matchup against a member of the ASUN Conference. While it may seem bizarre, 2022 is the ASUN's first year sponsoring Division I football, where its teams will compete in the Football Championship Series (FCS) level.

CLOSE CONNECTIONS: EMU will see a familiar face when EKU comes to town. Eastern graduate and five-year member of the football equipment staff, Tom Schultz, now serves in a full-time role with the Colonels. He is the Director of Equipment Services for Football.
   Schultz was a student manager at EMU from August 2013 to April 2018. He earned a bachelor's in sports management from Eastern Michigan in 2018 before serving as a postgraduate intern in the spring of 2019.

ON THE HORIZON: Following its bout with Eastern Kentucky, EMU will hit the road for the first of two non-conference away tilts. The Eagles will meet the Ragin' Cajuns of University of Louisiana, Saturday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be aired nationally on NFL Network.

GET READY FOR EXCITEMENT: One of the most entertaining teams in college football last season, Eastern Michigan was one of just three FBS squads to have multiple wins by a one-point margin in 2021 (Miami, 13-12; WMU, 22-21). Coincidentally, the other two teams that can make that claim also reside in the Mid-American Conference (Northern Illinois 3, Buffalo 2).

WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: A common goal in Head Coach Chris Creighton's program, Eastern has won or tied (28 wins, 4 ties) the turnover battle in 32 of its last 34 victories under Creighton.

CONTINUING TO FLUSH IT: Eastern's motto has been to go 1-0 each week while "flushing" the previous outcome. The short-term memory has proven beneficial for the program, with 41 of the last 70 (59%) contests decided by eight points or less. Eight games have been decided in overtime with 19 coming down to the final play.

OH SO CLOSE: The Eagles have played in 41 one-score games since the beginning of the 2016 season and hold an 18-23 record in those contests. The setbacks have been by an average of less than six points. Overall, 21 of the 41 games have been decided by three points or less.
    According to ESPN, since 2018, only one team has recorded more one-possession heartbreaks – University of Nebraska. The Huskers have 20 losses of the sort, while EMU has 15.

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, 35 of EMU's last 40 MAC games and 48 of its last 60 games overall have either been a win or a one-possession loss.

RECOVERING FUMBLES: Eastern Michigan was one of the best teams in the nation when it came to recovering fumbles in 2021. The Eagles picked up nine loose balls in the regular season, which ranked third in the MAC and 32nd nationally.

PLAYING DISCIPLINED: EMU was the most disciplined team in the country in 2021. The Eagles ranked first in the nation in: fewest penalties (41), fewest penalties per game (3.42), fewest penalty yards (366), and fewest penalty yards per game (30.5) during the 2021 regular season.

SCORING SITUATION: Eastern Michigan's offense was one of the best scoring units in the Mid-American Conference in 2021. Averaging 31.0 points per game, EMU put up 372 total points on 46 touchdowns, 15 field goals, and 45 extra points in the regular season. In total, 14 different Eagles found the paydirt in 2021, including five players who scored multiple touchdowns.

DEFENSIVE BUILDING BLOCKS: On the defensive end, EMU was impressive in the 2021 regular season. EMU forced 17 turnovers in 2021 and scored points off of 14 (10 touchdowns, 4 field goals). EMU scored 82 points off those turnovers, twice as a direct result of the play, and 11 times in its subsequent offensive possession. Of the three times that EMU did not score off a turnover in the 2021 regular season, one was because the offense was able to enter victory formation (vs. Western Michigan, Nov. 16).

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 14 times, including three times last season (4 vs. Saint Francis, Sept. 3; 4 vs. Texas State, Sept. 25; 5 at Toledo, Nov. 2).

BALANCED PRODUCTION IN 2021: Head Coach Chris Creighton preaches the importance of balance, especially on offense. Eastern Michigan's offense was incredibly consistent from half to half in 2021. The Eagles scored a total of 392 points in 2021, 187 of which were registered in the first half of the contest. EMU scored 48 percent of its total points in the first half this season, and 52 percent in the second half of contests.

MOVING THE CHAINS: EMU's offense was one of the best in the Mid-American Conference on third down a season ago. As an offense, Eastern converted 42.4 percent (67-of-158) of its third down tries. That number ranked 45th in the nation in the regular season.

RUNNING FOR THE RECORD BOOKS: Sophomore running back Samson Evans was outstanding for the Green and White last season. Evans found paydirt 13 times in 2021. That number is tied for the fourth-most in a single season by any EMU player and lead the Mid-American Conference.

BIG TIME RUSS: The Eagles will get key returning production in the defensive backfield this season when Russell Vaden IV takes the field. Vaden emerged as an elite defender in 2021. The Louisville, Ky., native led all Eagles with three interceptions. That number tied for second in the conference.

RETURNING ALL-MAC PLAYERS: For the sixth consecutive year, the Eastern Michigan University football team saw at least seven of its student-athletes named to All-Mid-American Conference teams in 2021. Four of EMU's selections are back this season: Sidy Sow (first team), Hassan Beydoun (second team), Jose Ramirez (third team), and Brian Dooley (third team).

HARD TO HANDLE HASSAN: Selected by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele as a Preseason First Team All-MAC selection in 2022, Hassan Beydoun is coming off a historic 2021 campaign. He set the EMU record for receptions in a season and led the MAC with 97 grabs, as he racked up 1,015 yards through the air. Beydoun's 2021 tally ranks fourth in the Eastern Michigan record book while he also became EMU's first 1,000-yard wide out since 2004.
   The former walk-on has 167 career receptions, a number that is good for fourth-most in program history. Beydoun is on pace to take over the number one spot in the category, as he sits just 81 receptions shy of all-time leader Eric Deslauriers (248).
    Beydoun was one of only three players in the NCAA to have three games with 10+ grabs (Jerreth Sterns - Western Kentucky; Drake London - Southern California).    Beydoun recorded a game-high 11 catches for 83 yards in the LendingTree Bowl versus Liberty, Dec. 18. He totaled 12 receptions for a career-high 197 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a win at Toledo, Nov. 2. The Dearborn, Mich. native hauled in a career-high 14 receptions for 167 yards against Ball State, Oct. 16. That number is tied for 20th in all-time single game receptions at EMU, and was the best for an Eagle since the 2014 season. His 14 receptions are tied for fifth-most in a single-game all time at EMU.

BEAT THE DRUM(MOND): Dylan Drummond is among the nation's most impactful wide outs. The Cleveland, Ohio native enters the 2022 season with 150 career receptions, which ranks 56th among all active FBS players (teammate Hassan Beydoun ranks 34th with 167). Additionally, he has recorded a reception in 31 consecutive games, which ranks third 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 11 career receiving touchdowns, tied for eighth-most in EMU history.

HEY HEY, JOSE!: Selected Preseason First Team All-MAC by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele in 2022, senior defensive end Jose Ramirez dominated on the defensive line last season. He ranked 10th in the MAC with 6.5 sacks, a career-best mark for the Lake Alfred, Fla. native. Ramirez was third on the team with 63 tackles (32 solo, 31 assisted) in 2021, and led the team with 12.0 tackles for loss. Ramirez also forced a team-leading three fumbles this season.

BOLSTERING THE BOX: EMU added a talented duo of 'Power Five' linebackers to this year's squad in Joe Sparacio and Chase Kline.
   Sparacio joins the EMU football program as an incoming transfer after beginning his career at Boston College. He played in 11 games with five stops in 2021. In 2019, Sparacio played in all 13 games and made nine starts. The Naples, Fla. native totaled 50 tackles with six TFLs and a half sack plus one interception.
   Kline joins EMU by way of Michigan State. There, he was a two-year letterwinner (2019-20) and had 52 career tackles in 24 career games with the Spartans. Kline's breakout 2020 campaign saw him post a career-high 29 tackles, with 0.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles, which tied for second in the Big Ten.

NEW QUARTERBACK IN TOWN: A former top-20 quarterback recruit in the nation, according to ESPN, Taylor Powell will run EMU's offense this season. Powell comes to Eastern after stints with Troy and Missouri.
   Last season at Troy, he played in six games, starting five before suffering an injury. He completed 125-of-189 passes for 1,251 yards and seven touchdowns, and averaged 178.7 yards per game via the air. He ranked 117th in the NCAA in passing touchdowns and 118th in passing yards and was rated as one of the nation's top three quarterbacks through the first three weeks (No. 1 in "Group of Five) by Pro Football Focus.
   A Fayetteville, Ark. native, he began his career at Missouri. He played in six games during his redshirt sophomore season in 2019, including one start, and completed 29-of-62 passes for 297 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions. He threw his first career touchdown against Arkansas, his hometown college, in the season finale, Nov. 29. Powell made his first career start on the road at No. 4 Georgia, going 10-for-22 for 84 yards.
   One of the most decorated high school athletes in the State of Arkansas' history, Powell was named Arkansas Prep Player of the Year in 2017, and led his team to consecutive Class 7A state championships in 2015 and 2016. He finished his career fifth all-time in Arkansas history for passing yardage (10,413) and eighth all-time in touchdown passes (113). Powell capped his storied career by winning the 2016 Landers Award, given annually to the Arkansas state player of the year, while he was also named the Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year, as well as the 2016 ArkansasVarsity.com Mr. Football award. As a senior, he threw for 3,473 yards and an eye-popping 44 touchdowns on 237-of-348 passing, while also scoring seven times with his feet.

MAN(NING), THAT'S COOL: First year QB Taylor Powell earned one of the most coveted offseason invitations that a quarterback can hope for in spring 2022. The Fayetteville, Ark. native accepted an invitation to the prestigious Manning Passing Academy, which took place June 23-26, where he served as a camp counselor alongside some of the top collegiate signal callers in the nation.
   For over 25 years, the Manning Passing Academy has been helping players fully realize their potential on and off of the football field. Welcoming youth quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends to the annual clinic, the Manning Passing Academy "helps you grasp the fundamentals of your position, and basic offensive and defensive strategies."
   Each year, the camp seeks out coaches and players from the professional, college, and high school ranks to help teach and mentor those youth players who attend the camp. In addition to counseling younger athletes, collegiate quarterbacks in attendance had the opportunity to observe and learn alongside Professional Football Hall of Famer's Archie and Peyton Manning, as well as two-time Super Bowl Champion Eli Manning, who together, serve as the academy's executive and senior associate directors, respectively.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

EMU Football Opens 2022 Campaign Friday with Eastern Kentucky

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Hassan Beydoun

Brian Dooley

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Samson Evans

Chase Kline

Taylor Powell

Jose Ramirez

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Joe Sparacio

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