Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, October 1
Ypsilanti, Mich.
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Massachusetts
Football Has a Date With UMass for Homecoming
9/26/2022 3:00:00 PM | Football
Game 5 • Oct. 1, 2022 • 2 p.m. • Ypsilanti, Mich. • Rynearson Stadium (30,200)
| Football vs. UMass | |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 1 | 2 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 team will conclude its 2022 non-conference slate when the Eagles play host to the University of Massachusetts Saturday, Oct.1, inside Rynearson Stadium. The cornerstone event of the University's 101st Homecoming Week will kick off at 2 p.m. at "The Factory".
Eastern (2-2, 0-1 MAC) dropped its Mid-American Conference opener, falling to the University at Buffalo, 50-31, Sept. 24. Sophomore Austin Smith made his first collegiate start for the Eagles, finishing 12-of-19 (63.2 percent) through the air for 190 yards, a rushing touchdown, and an interception. Meanwhile, UMass (1-3) comes into the contest seeking a bounce back after it fell, 28-0, to Temple University on the same day.
The game will be aired live on ESPN+ where Dan Gutowsky (play-by-play) and former MAC Deputy Commissioner Bob Gennarelli (analyst) will have the call. WEMU (89.1 FM) and The Varsity Network will also carry the action where Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick will have the call, along with pregame and halftime contributions from Greg Steiner.
101ST HOMECOMING: Saturday marks the 101st Homecoming for Eastern Michigan University, and the 94th time EMU will play a football game on Homecoming weekend. Homecoming began in 1920 and was originally known as Gala Days on campus before transitioning to the term homecoming in 1923. It was first incorporated with a football game beginning in 1926. No homecoming game was held in 2020 due to COVID-19, but some events remained in a virtual format that year.
EMU is 46-45-2 all-time on Homecoming, having lost its last five games on the much-anticipated weekend. Saturday's game will mark the first time EMU and UMass will square off on Homecoming.
LIFE CHANGING SURPRISE: Sophomore place kicker Jesus Gomez, and senior linebacker Luke Cameron each received the surprise of their life ahead of EMU's game against Buffalo. An ordinary Friday team meeting, Sept. 23, turned into something special when Head Coach Chris Creighton announced that they would both receive full-ride scholarships for the remainder of the year.
A second-year player for EMU, Gomez has been outstanding in his first campaign as the team's starting kicker. Through four games, he is a perfect 2-for-2 on field goal attempts, and an unblemished 16-for-16 on extra-point tries.
Cameron has made 25 appearances in his career, including in all four games this season for the Green and White. He has racked up 31 tackles thus far during his time donning the Green and White. A full video of the reveal can be found via @EMUFB on all major social media.
RETURN OF THE #MACTION: EMU's game against Buffalo, Sept. 24, officially kicked off the team's 47th season of play in the Mid-American Conference. EMU first took on a MAC schedule during the 1976 campaign, and has competed amongst its conference foes in every subsequent year since. Eastern currently holds a 117-240-6 mark in MAC contests. The Green and White captured its lone conference championship in 1987.
Following its defeat at the hands of Buffalo, EMU now holds a 12-34 record in MAC season openers.
A BIG DIFFERENTIAL: One noticeable statistic for EMU in its contest against Buffalo, Sept. 24, was time of possession. Eastern's offense was on the field for just 21:23, a 17:14 differential from its opponent. For Eastern, it is the shortest time of possession for this season, by over eight minutes (29:42 at the University of Louisiana was previous low). Additionally, it is the team's widest negative TOP margin of the 2022 campaign by nearly 14 minutes (-3:36 vs. Eastern Kentucky University was previous low).
The 21:23 overall time of possession was the team's lowest since Sept. 11, 2021, when it held the ball for just 19:56 against the University of Wisconsin. That game was also the last time EMU had a negative margin in the category that was greater than the 17:14 figure against Buffalo (20:08).
FIRST TIME, LONG TIME: Junior Jaylon Jackson forced Buffalo into kicking short after the Eastern Michigan returner took the first kickoff he saw, Sept. 24, 89 yards to the house to tie the game at seven apiece. Jackson had two returns for 123 yards total and finished the day with 131 total yards after carrying the ball three times for eight yards. The kickoff return for a touchdown was the first for the Eagles since Tyler Allen returned a kickoff for a 90-yard score against Ohio University, Oct. 19, 2013. The return is the third longest in the history of Rynearson Stadium and tied for the 11th longest kickoff return in EMU's history. Former Eagle Lincoln Dupree recorded a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Northern Illinois University, Nov. 22, 1999, the longest kick return in program history.
For his career, the 89-yard return more than doubles his previous best of 42 yards he recorded for Lamar University against Jacksonville State Nov. 13, 2021.
BIG TIME BLOCK: Junior Sterling Miles made an outstanding play on special teams when he broke through the UB offensive line to block a PAT, Sept. 24. The first blocked kick of his career, it was the 19th blocked kick of the Chris Creighton era (2014-Pres.). It was also the first blocked kick for EMU since former Eagle Carter Stagner blocked a kick versus Western Michigan University, Nov. 16, 2021. The disruption was the second blocked PAT in Creighton's tenure, with the first coming Oct. 6, 2018, against Western Michigan. The Eagles have blocked at least one kick in eight of Creighton's nine seasons at the helm.
PEAVY PRODUCES: Junior safety T.J. Peavy was outstanding for the EMU defense in its game against Buffalo, Sept. 24. The Peach State native led the team in tackles for loss, with a career-best 1.5, and also recorded the first sack of his career, which was also the lone sack for the Green and White against the Bulls. Peavy doubled his career TFLs in one game against the Bulls, and also added five tackles to the overall effort. He has recorded five-or-more tackles twice this season, and five times in his career.
KEEP ON KNUE(ING): Wide receiver Tanner Knue continued his outstanding senior season against Buffalo, Sept. 24. The Mason, Ohio native racked up a team-best 106 yards on three receptions, including the team's longest reception of the season, 67 yards. That catch is the second farthest of Knue's career; he hauled in a 71-yard grab in a game at Ball State University, Nov. 11, 2020. The 67-yard grab is the longest offensive play for the Eagles this season and the longest reception since Bryson Cannon hauled in a 79-yard bomb from Preston Hutchinson, Nov. 27, 2020, at home against Central Michigan University. Heading into the game, the Eagles' longest play was a 44-yard pass from Powell to junior Darius Lassiter, Sept. 10, at the University of Louisiana.
Knue recorded his fourth touchdown of the season with 1:43 left in the first quarter. His four TDs in 2022 currently put him in the MAC lead for receiving scores and his 291 receiving yards currently puts him at sixth in the league.
100 REASONS TO LOVE TANNER: Senior Tanner Knue racked up 106 yards through the air against Buffalo, and in doing so, became the Eagles' first 100-yard receiver this season. In fact, he is the first since he tallied 127 yards inside "The Factory" against Ohio University, Nov. 9, 2021. The 100-yard performance is Knue's third career 100-yard receiving contest. The wideout has posted a 100-yard performance in three consecutive seasons (2021 & 2020) with his last such occurrence coming when Knue tabbed career-highs in receptions (11) and receiving yards (127) vs. Ohio, Nov. 9, 2021.
THIS IS 40: EMU saw two season-long plays against UB. Offensively, Tanner Knue's 67-yard reception is the team's longest play from scrimmage, while Jaylon Jackson's 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown is the Eagles' best return of the campaign. Additionally, it marks the first time this season that Eastern has recorded two plays of 40 yards or more.
STEADY DEBUT FOR SMITH: Sophomore quarterback Austin Smith took the ball as the starter for the first time in his career against Buffalo. The Ellenwood, Ga. native paced EMU's rushing attack, where he accumulated 74 total yards and one touchdown. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry, which also paced the team by nearly three yards per carry. His rushing touchdown with 28 ticks remaining in the second quarter was also the first of his career. It was the team's first rushing touchdown by a signal caller since Taylor Powell marched one in against Eastern Kentucky in the team's opener, Sept. 2.
Smith was electric through the air to begin the game, where he completed his first eight passing attempts. He finished the day with an impressive 12-for-19 mark (63%). His pass completions, attempts, and percentage are all new career-bests. Additionally, he completed the team's longest passing play of the season, a 67-yard dart to Tanner Knue.
BIG PLAY BOONE: Junior Darius Boone Jr. found the end zone in an unconventional way against Buffalo when he picked up a fumble on the one-yard line and stepped into the pay dirt, Sept. 24 against Buffalo. The score was the second of the season and 10th in the career of the Tulsa, Okla. native. That number is the second-most of any rusher on the team. Senior Samson Evans is the only Eagle to have found the end zone more; He has rushed it in 17 times for the Green and White.
STARTING HOT: The Eastern Michigan offense has been dialed in at the start of its last three respective contests. The Eagles have scored on their opening drive in each of those games, including a 89-yard return for a touchdown to start the game against the Bulls, Sept. 24. EMU's scoring unit wasted no time joining the fun, as the offense also scored a touchdown on its first drive of the game against Buffalo. The last time the Eagles scored touchdowns on each of their first two possessions was Sept. 25, 2021, vs. Texas State University, when they defeated the visiting Bobcats, 59-21. The 2022 season marks the first occurrence at any point under Head Coach Chris Creighton (2014-Pres.) in which the team has opened three straight games with scoring drives.
SO FAR, SO GOOD: The Eastern Michigan offense remained red hot in the red zone against Buffalo, Sept. 24. The Green and White put together four trips inside the Bulls' 20-yard line, and came away with points on each. The Eagles are a perfect 17-for-17 in its red zone trips this season, coming away with points in each trip thus far. Tied for first nationally in the category, Eastern is one of just 13 teams who are still perfect inside the 20 this season.
Red zone success is not uncommon at EMU. Offensively, EMU ranked No. 1 in the nation with a 100 percent red zone scoring clip (tied with Washington State University) in 2020. The Eagles produced points in 28-of-28 trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line that season. In total, 21 of EMU's red zone trips resulted in touchdowns. Additionally, the team averaged 4.66 trips to the red zone per game in 2020.
FIRST HALF SURGING: Eastern Michigan scored 24 points in the first half of its contest against Arizona State, Sept. 17, and again against UB, Sept. 24. That total is the highest for the team since Nov. 2, 2021, when EMU dropped 24 in the first half of its game at the University of Toledo. That game ended in victorious fashion for the Eagles, who defeated the Rockets, 52-49.
Eastern Michigan has scored 20+ points in the first half of games 26 times under Chris Creighton. The Eagles are 20-6 in those games. Moreover, eight of those 20 games (40%) 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.
HOW ABOUT JESUS: Sophomore kicker Jesus Gomez has looked all but uncomfortable in his first season as the primary place kicker for the Green and White. After another made field goal and three extra points against Buffalo, Sept. 24, he now sits at a perfect 4-for-4, and 16-for-16 in those respective categories this season. He is one of just three kickers in the Mid-American Conference and 24 kickers nationally that is yet to slip up this season.
HOLDING THEM DOWN: Coming into its game against ASU, Sept. 17, the EMU defense had allowed first down conversions on 18-of-29 opponent attempts in 2022, a number that equated to 62 percent and was the worst among Football Bowl Subdivision programs. The Eagles turned the tide against ASU, holding the Sun Devils to just a 3-for-8 clip.
Eastern was good yet again in the category against Buffalo, holding them to a 5-for-14 total, which is 36 percent. That is the best performance of the season on third down, in terms of percentage, for EMU.
IN CHASE YOU MISSED IT: Senior linebacker Chase Kline had a career-best outing against Buffalo, Sept. 14, as he registered a team-high 14 stops against the Bulls. That number smashed his career tackles record. The Michigan State University transfer's previous career high in tackles (9) came just three weeks ago, versus Eastern Kentucky University, Sept. 2.
Kline leads all Eastern Michigan players with 35 total tackles this season. Additionally, he has led EMU in single-game tackles in three of the team's four games in 2022.
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.
The EMU scoring unit is off to a good start in 2022. Despite just a 5-for-11 day against Buffalo, only the second game under 50 percent for EMU this season, the Green and White still has a season conversion rate of 54 percent (27-of-50). That number ranks first in the Mid-American Conference.
RETURNS ACCEPTED HERE: EMU returned three kicks for 123 yards and a score against Buffalo, Sept. 24, for an average of 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 36.5 yards gained per kick return against Mississippi Valley State University, Sept. 2, 2016. EMU has just eight games in the last 23 years with an average of 30-or-more yards per kick return.
EMU special teams rank second in the MAC and 23rd national in kickoff returns at 26.1 yards per try. Furthermore, Jaylon Jackson is one of just 14 players in the FBS this season to take a kickoff back to the house. Jackson is eight nationally with a 31.0-yard average on kickoffs.
WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: A common goal in Head Coach Chris Creighton's program, Eastern has won or tied (28 wins, 6 ties) the turnover battle in 34 of its last 36 victories under Creighton.
THE SAMSON SPECIAL: Senior Samson Evans is off to a great start through four games in 2022. In addition to having the single-best rushing performance in the NCAA this season, Evans has also been one of the most consistently good backs in the nation. He currently ranks 16th in the nation with 418 rushing yards. He is 15th in the country with a 104.5 rushing yards per game average. Additionally, Evans ranks fourth in the MAC and 33rd nationally in all-purpose yards, where he has averaged 122.5 per game in 2022.
ALL-TIME VS UMASS: Saturday will mark the fourth time that EMU and UMass have met on the gridiron. The Minutemen lead the all-time head-to-head series against the Eagles, 2-1. The contest will also mark the second consecutive season Eastern will face Massachusetts.
LAST TIME VS THE MINUTEMEN: The last time the two programs met came last season when the Eagles defeated UMass, 42-28, Sept. 18, 2021. In that meeting, the Eagles' offense racked up more than 500 yards of total offense in McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Former Eagle Jawon Hamilton totaled 122 yards to lead the Eagles' ground attack and added one touchdown in the game, picking up 7.6 yards per carry along the way. Then-freshman Darius Boone Jr. tacked on 27 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for Eastern. The victory last season was EMU's first against the Minutemen in program history.
WAIT, SO WHAT CONFERENCE IS UMASS IN?: Massachusetts, who currently plays as a Football Bowl Subdivision Independent, had a brief stint in the MAC upon first climbing to the FBS ranks in 2011. UMass joined the MAC in April 2011 in football only, giving the conference 14 football-playing schools.
When Temple left in March 2012, the conference had the ability to convert UMass' membership agreement to a term (number of years) agreement. That clause was exercised, and UMass ultimately elected to convert to an independent in football club while keeping the remainder of its major sports within the Atlantic 10 Conference as opposed to converting to full MAC membership.
ALL-TIME VS INDEPENDENT: The Eagles will look to improve upon their 2-11 overall record against independent opponents. The last contest against a program not affiliated with an athletic conference came in The LendingTree Bowl, when Eastern fell to Liberty 56-20, Dec. 18.
CLOSE CONNECTION: Eastern Michigan University gymnastics Head Coach Katie Minasola spent three years as a member of the University of Massachusetts' gymnastics team. During her time in Amherst, Mass., Minasola became the 2002 Atlantic 10 Conference Champion on bars with a score of 9.950 and took fourth place on bars (9.800) at the 2002 NCAA Northeast Regional.
A championship coach at EMU, Miasola led the Eagles to the 2020 Mid-American Conference crown.
UMASS CONNECTIONS CONTINUED: While the EMU football program does not have any direct connections to UMass, EMU and UMass share a tie in basketball. Current Minutewomen basketball Head Coach Tory Verdi spent four seasons as the Head Women's Basketball Coach at EMU from 2012-16. In four seasons at the helm of the EMU women's basketball squad, Verdi oversaw improvements in each season. He took over the program on April 26, 2012, and compiled a record of 72-61; however, in his first season, the team went just 8-22. In 2013-14, the squad posted a record of 18-14 before tying a program-best 24 wins during the 2014-15 campaign when the Eagles went 24-13, including winning 17 of their final 23 games. Additionally, assistant women's basketball coach Cassandra Callaway served a three-year tour of duty at EMU from 2017-20.
WELCOME BACK TO WASHTENAW COUNTY: UMass Head Coach brings his team to Eastern Michigan for the first time, but he is no stranger to Washtenaw County after spending five seasons at the University of Michigan. While at U-M, the Wolverines finished among the top-12 units in the nation in total defense from 2016-19, which included a No. 1 ranking in 2016. Under Brown's watch, the Wolverines led the country in pass defense twice, once in 2016 and again in 2017. Michigan made 16 top-25 appearances in total defense, scoring defense, rush defense, and pass defense during the 2016-19 stretch.
WELCOME BACK, BOB!: Bob Gennarelli might be new to the television booth, but he's no stranger to Mid-American Conference football. Gennarelli stepped away from the MAC Office on July 1, 2022 after 23 years, most recently serving as the Deputy Commissioner/Chief Operating Officer.
Gennarelli was responsible for overseeing all aspects of external operations for the MAC, including television, media relations, marketing, new media, football scheduling, and bowl relations. Gennarelli has also been responsible for all facets of football operations (game day operations, instant replay, officiating) and day-to-day oversight and management of office operations.
ON THE HORIZON: The Eagles will continue their Mid-American Conference slate with a date against in-state rival Western Michigan University Saturday, Oct. 8.
Eastern (2-2, 0-1 MAC) dropped its Mid-American Conference opener, falling to the University at Buffalo, 50-31, Sept. 24. Sophomore Austin Smith made his first collegiate start for the Eagles, finishing 12-of-19 (63.2 percent) through the air for 190 yards, a rushing touchdown, and an interception. Meanwhile, UMass (1-3) comes into the contest seeking a bounce back after it fell, 28-0, to Temple University on the same day.
The game will be aired live on ESPN+ where Dan Gutowsky (play-by-play) and former MAC Deputy Commissioner Bob Gennarelli (analyst) will have the call. WEMU (89.1 FM) and The Varsity Network will also carry the action where Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick will have the call, along with pregame and halftime contributions from Greg Steiner.
101ST HOMECOMING: Saturday marks the 101st Homecoming for Eastern Michigan University, and the 94th time EMU will play a football game on Homecoming weekend. Homecoming began in 1920 and was originally known as Gala Days on campus before transitioning to the term homecoming in 1923. It was first incorporated with a football game beginning in 1926. No homecoming game was held in 2020 due to COVID-19, but some events remained in a virtual format that year.
EMU is 46-45-2 all-time on Homecoming, having lost its last five games on the much-anticipated weekend. Saturday's game will mark the first time EMU and UMass will square off on Homecoming.
LIFE CHANGING SURPRISE: Sophomore place kicker Jesus Gomez, and senior linebacker Luke Cameron each received the surprise of their life ahead of EMU's game against Buffalo. An ordinary Friday team meeting, Sept. 23, turned into something special when Head Coach Chris Creighton announced that they would both receive full-ride scholarships for the remainder of the year.
A second-year player for EMU, Gomez has been outstanding in his first campaign as the team's starting kicker. Through four games, he is a perfect 2-for-2 on field goal attempts, and an unblemished 16-for-16 on extra-point tries.
Cameron has made 25 appearances in his career, including in all four games this season for the Green and White. He has racked up 31 tackles thus far during his time donning the Green and White. A full video of the reveal can be found via @EMUFB on all major social media.
RETURN OF THE #MACTION: EMU's game against Buffalo, Sept. 24, officially kicked off the team's 47th season of play in the Mid-American Conference. EMU first took on a MAC schedule during the 1976 campaign, and has competed amongst its conference foes in every subsequent year since. Eastern currently holds a 117-240-6 mark in MAC contests. The Green and White captured its lone conference championship in 1987.
Following its defeat at the hands of Buffalo, EMU now holds a 12-34 record in MAC season openers.
A BIG DIFFERENTIAL: One noticeable statistic for EMU in its contest against Buffalo, Sept. 24, was time of possession. Eastern's offense was on the field for just 21:23, a 17:14 differential from its opponent. For Eastern, it is the shortest time of possession for this season, by over eight minutes (29:42 at the University of Louisiana was previous low). Additionally, it is the team's widest negative TOP margin of the 2022 campaign by nearly 14 minutes (-3:36 vs. Eastern Kentucky University was previous low).
The 21:23 overall time of possession was the team's lowest since Sept. 11, 2021, when it held the ball for just 19:56 against the University of Wisconsin. That game was also the last time EMU had a negative margin in the category that was greater than the 17:14 figure against Buffalo (20:08).
FIRST TIME, LONG TIME: Junior Jaylon Jackson forced Buffalo into kicking short after the Eastern Michigan returner took the first kickoff he saw, Sept. 24, 89 yards to the house to tie the game at seven apiece. Jackson had two returns for 123 yards total and finished the day with 131 total yards after carrying the ball three times for eight yards. The kickoff return for a touchdown was the first for the Eagles since Tyler Allen returned a kickoff for a 90-yard score against Ohio University, Oct. 19, 2013. The return is the third longest in the history of Rynearson Stadium and tied for the 11th longest kickoff return in EMU's history. Former Eagle Lincoln Dupree recorded a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Northern Illinois University, Nov. 22, 1999, the longest kick return in program history.
For his career, the 89-yard return more than doubles his previous best of 42 yards he recorded for Lamar University against Jacksonville State Nov. 13, 2021.
BIG TIME BLOCK: Junior Sterling Miles made an outstanding play on special teams when he broke through the UB offensive line to block a PAT, Sept. 24. The first blocked kick of his career, it was the 19th blocked kick of the Chris Creighton era (2014-Pres.). It was also the first blocked kick for EMU since former Eagle Carter Stagner blocked a kick versus Western Michigan University, Nov. 16, 2021. The disruption was the second blocked PAT in Creighton's tenure, with the first coming Oct. 6, 2018, against Western Michigan. The Eagles have blocked at least one kick in eight of Creighton's nine seasons at the helm.
PEAVY PRODUCES: Junior safety T.J. Peavy was outstanding for the EMU defense in its game against Buffalo, Sept. 24. The Peach State native led the team in tackles for loss, with a career-best 1.5, and also recorded the first sack of his career, which was also the lone sack for the Green and White against the Bulls. Peavy doubled his career TFLs in one game against the Bulls, and also added five tackles to the overall effort. He has recorded five-or-more tackles twice this season, and five times in his career.
KEEP ON KNUE(ING): Wide receiver Tanner Knue continued his outstanding senior season against Buffalo, Sept. 24. The Mason, Ohio native racked up a team-best 106 yards on three receptions, including the team's longest reception of the season, 67 yards. That catch is the second farthest of Knue's career; he hauled in a 71-yard grab in a game at Ball State University, Nov. 11, 2020. The 67-yard grab is the longest offensive play for the Eagles this season and the longest reception since Bryson Cannon hauled in a 79-yard bomb from Preston Hutchinson, Nov. 27, 2020, at home against Central Michigan University. Heading into the game, the Eagles' longest play was a 44-yard pass from Powell to junior Darius Lassiter, Sept. 10, at the University of Louisiana.
Knue recorded his fourth touchdown of the season with 1:43 left in the first quarter. His four TDs in 2022 currently put him in the MAC lead for receiving scores and his 291 receiving yards currently puts him at sixth in the league.
100 REASONS TO LOVE TANNER: Senior Tanner Knue racked up 106 yards through the air against Buffalo, and in doing so, became the Eagles' first 100-yard receiver this season. In fact, he is the first since he tallied 127 yards inside "The Factory" against Ohio University, Nov. 9, 2021. The 100-yard performance is Knue's third career 100-yard receiving contest. The wideout has posted a 100-yard performance in three consecutive seasons (2021 & 2020) with his last such occurrence coming when Knue tabbed career-highs in receptions (11) and receiving yards (127) vs. Ohio, Nov. 9, 2021.
THIS IS 40: EMU saw two season-long plays against UB. Offensively, Tanner Knue's 67-yard reception is the team's longest play from scrimmage, while Jaylon Jackson's 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown is the Eagles' best return of the campaign. Additionally, it marks the first time this season that Eastern has recorded two plays of 40 yards or more.
STEADY DEBUT FOR SMITH: Sophomore quarterback Austin Smith took the ball as the starter for the first time in his career against Buffalo. The Ellenwood, Ga. native paced EMU's rushing attack, where he accumulated 74 total yards and one touchdown. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry, which also paced the team by nearly three yards per carry. His rushing touchdown with 28 ticks remaining in the second quarter was also the first of his career. It was the team's first rushing touchdown by a signal caller since Taylor Powell marched one in against Eastern Kentucky in the team's opener, Sept. 2.
Smith was electric through the air to begin the game, where he completed his first eight passing attempts. He finished the day with an impressive 12-for-19 mark (63%). His pass completions, attempts, and percentage are all new career-bests. Additionally, he completed the team's longest passing play of the season, a 67-yard dart to Tanner Knue.
BIG PLAY BOONE: Junior Darius Boone Jr. found the end zone in an unconventional way against Buffalo when he picked up a fumble on the one-yard line and stepped into the pay dirt, Sept. 24 against Buffalo. The score was the second of the season and 10th in the career of the Tulsa, Okla. native. That number is the second-most of any rusher on the team. Senior Samson Evans is the only Eagle to have found the end zone more; He has rushed it in 17 times for the Green and White.
STARTING HOT: The Eastern Michigan offense has been dialed in at the start of its last three respective contests. The Eagles have scored on their opening drive in each of those games, including a 89-yard return for a touchdown to start the game against the Bulls, Sept. 24. EMU's scoring unit wasted no time joining the fun, as the offense also scored a touchdown on its first drive of the game against Buffalo. The last time the Eagles scored touchdowns on each of their first two possessions was Sept. 25, 2021, vs. Texas State University, when they defeated the visiting Bobcats, 59-21. The 2022 season marks the first occurrence at any point under Head Coach Chris Creighton (2014-Pres.) in which the team has opened three straight games with scoring drives.
SO FAR, SO GOOD: The Eastern Michigan offense remained red hot in the red zone against Buffalo, Sept. 24. The Green and White put together four trips inside the Bulls' 20-yard line, and came away with points on each. The Eagles are a perfect 17-for-17 in its red zone trips this season, coming away with points in each trip thus far. Tied for first nationally in the category, Eastern is one of just 13 teams who are still perfect inside the 20 this season.
Red zone success is not uncommon at EMU. Offensively, EMU ranked No. 1 in the nation with a 100 percent red zone scoring clip (tied with Washington State University) in 2020. The Eagles produced points in 28-of-28 trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line that season. In total, 21 of EMU's red zone trips resulted in touchdowns. Additionally, the team averaged 4.66 trips to the red zone per game in 2020.
FIRST HALF SURGING: Eastern Michigan scored 24 points in the first half of its contest against Arizona State, Sept. 17, and again against UB, Sept. 24. That total is the highest for the team since Nov. 2, 2021, when EMU dropped 24 in the first half of its game at the University of Toledo. That game ended in victorious fashion for the Eagles, who defeated the Rockets, 52-49.
Eastern Michigan has scored 20+ points in the first half of games 26 times under Chris Creighton. The Eagles are 20-6 in those games. Moreover, eight of those 20 games (40%) 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.
HOW ABOUT JESUS: Sophomore kicker Jesus Gomez has looked all but uncomfortable in his first season as the primary place kicker for the Green and White. After another made field goal and three extra points against Buffalo, Sept. 24, he now sits at a perfect 4-for-4, and 16-for-16 in those respective categories this season. He is one of just three kickers in the Mid-American Conference and 24 kickers nationally that is yet to slip up this season.
HOLDING THEM DOWN: Coming into its game against ASU, Sept. 17, the EMU defense had allowed first down conversions on 18-of-29 opponent attempts in 2022, a number that equated to 62 percent and was the worst among Football Bowl Subdivision programs. The Eagles turned the tide against ASU, holding the Sun Devils to just a 3-for-8 clip.
Eastern was good yet again in the category against Buffalo, holding them to a 5-for-14 total, which is 36 percent. That is the best performance of the season on third down, in terms of percentage, for EMU.
IN CHASE YOU MISSED IT: Senior linebacker Chase Kline had a career-best outing against Buffalo, Sept. 14, as he registered a team-high 14 stops against the Bulls. That number smashed his career tackles record. The Michigan State University transfer's previous career high in tackles (9) came just three weeks ago, versus Eastern Kentucky University, Sept. 2.
Kline leads all Eastern Michigan players with 35 total tackles this season. Additionally, he has led EMU in single-game tackles in three of the team's four games in 2022.
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.
The EMU scoring unit is off to a good start in 2022. Despite just a 5-for-11 day against Buffalo, only the second game under 50 percent for EMU this season, the Green and White still has a season conversion rate of 54 percent (27-of-50). That number ranks first in the Mid-American Conference.
RETURNS ACCEPTED HERE: EMU returned three kicks for 123 yards and a score against Buffalo, Sept. 24, for an average of 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 36.5 yards gained per kick return against Mississippi Valley State University, Sept. 2, 2016. EMU has just eight games in the last 23 years with an average of 30-or-more yards per kick return.
EMU special teams rank second in the MAC and 23rd national in kickoff returns at 26.1 yards per try. Furthermore, Jaylon Jackson is one of just 14 players in the FBS this season to take a kickoff back to the house. Jackson is eight nationally with a 31.0-yard average on kickoffs.
WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: A common goal in Head Coach Chris Creighton's program, Eastern has won or tied (28 wins, 6 ties) the turnover battle in 34 of its last 36 victories under Creighton.
THE SAMSON SPECIAL: Senior Samson Evans is off to a great start through four games in 2022. In addition to having the single-best rushing performance in the NCAA this season, Evans has also been one of the most consistently good backs in the nation. He currently ranks 16th in the nation with 418 rushing yards. He is 15th in the country with a 104.5 rushing yards per game average. Additionally, Evans ranks fourth in the MAC and 33rd nationally in all-purpose yards, where he has averaged 122.5 per game in 2022.
ALL-TIME VS UMASS: Saturday will mark the fourth time that EMU and UMass have met on the gridiron. The Minutemen lead the all-time head-to-head series against the Eagles, 2-1. The contest will also mark the second consecutive season Eastern will face Massachusetts.
LAST TIME VS THE MINUTEMEN: The last time the two programs met came last season when the Eagles defeated UMass, 42-28, Sept. 18, 2021. In that meeting, the Eagles' offense racked up more than 500 yards of total offense in McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Former Eagle Jawon Hamilton totaled 122 yards to lead the Eagles' ground attack and added one touchdown in the game, picking up 7.6 yards per carry along the way. Then-freshman Darius Boone Jr. tacked on 27 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for Eastern. The victory last season was EMU's first against the Minutemen in program history.
WAIT, SO WHAT CONFERENCE IS UMASS IN?: Massachusetts, who currently plays as a Football Bowl Subdivision Independent, had a brief stint in the MAC upon first climbing to the FBS ranks in 2011. UMass joined the MAC in April 2011 in football only, giving the conference 14 football-playing schools.
When Temple left in March 2012, the conference had the ability to convert UMass' membership agreement to a term (number of years) agreement. That clause was exercised, and UMass ultimately elected to convert to an independent in football club while keeping the remainder of its major sports within the Atlantic 10 Conference as opposed to converting to full MAC membership.
ALL-TIME VS INDEPENDENT: The Eagles will look to improve upon their 2-11 overall record against independent opponents. The last contest against a program not affiliated with an athletic conference came in The LendingTree Bowl, when Eastern fell to Liberty 56-20, Dec. 18.
CLOSE CONNECTION: Eastern Michigan University gymnastics Head Coach Katie Minasola spent three years as a member of the University of Massachusetts' gymnastics team. During her time in Amherst, Mass., Minasola became the 2002 Atlantic 10 Conference Champion on bars with a score of 9.950 and took fourth place on bars (9.800) at the 2002 NCAA Northeast Regional.
A championship coach at EMU, Miasola led the Eagles to the 2020 Mid-American Conference crown.
UMASS CONNECTIONS CONTINUED: While the EMU football program does not have any direct connections to UMass, EMU and UMass share a tie in basketball. Current Minutewomen basketball Head Coach Tory Verdi spent four seasons as the Head Women's Basketball Coach at EMU from 2012-16. In four seasons at the helm of the EMU women's basketball squad, Verdi oversaw improvements in each season. He took over the program on April 26, 2012, and compiled a record of 72-61; however, in his first season, the team went just 8-22. In 2013-14, the squad posted a record of 18-14 before tying a program-best 24 wins during the 2014-15 campaign when the Eagles went 24-13, including winning 17 of their final 23 games. Additionally, assistant women's basketball coach Cassandra Callaway served a three-year tour of duty at EMU from 2017-20.
WELCOME BACK TO WASHTENAW COUNTY: UMass Head Coach brings his team to Eastern Michigan for the first time, but he is no stranger to Washtenaw County after spending five seasons at the University of Michigan. While at U-M, the Wolverines finished among the top-12 units in the nation in total defense from 2016-19, which included a No. 1 ranking in 2016. Under Brown's watch, the Wolverines led the country in pass defense twice, once in 2016 and again in 2017. Michigan made 16 top-25 appearances in total defense, scoring defense, rush defense, and pass defense during the 2016-19 stretch.
WELCOME BACK, BOB!: Bob Gennarelli might be new to the television booth, but he's no stranger to Mid-American Conference football. Gennarelli stepped away from the MAC Office on July 1, 2022 after 23 years, most recently serving as the Deputy Commissioner/Chief Operating Officer.
Gennarelli was responsible for overseeing all aspects of external operations for the MAC, including television, media relations, marketing, new media, football scheduling, and bowl relations. Gennarelli has also been responsible for all facets of football operations (game day operations, instant replay, officiating) and day-to-day oversight and management of office operations.
ON THE HORIZON: The Eagles will continue their Mid-American Conference slate with a date against in-state rival Western Michigan University Saturday, Oct. 8.
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