Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, November 21
Buffalo, N.Y.
7:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
24
at
11
Buffalo
EMU Secures Third Consecutive Bowl Bid, Tops Buffalo
11/21/2023 11:19:00 PM | Football
The Eagles rushed for a season-high 226 yards while recovering three fumbles
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team, behind one of its best first-half performances of the season, battled its way to a 24-11 road victory Tuesday, Nov. 21, inside UB Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y., to secure its sixth win of the season and bowl eligibility for the third year in a row. The Eagles (6-6, 4-4 Mid-American Conference) saw a balanced offensive attack and another strong defensive performance to close out the regular season with the win over the Bulls (3-9, 3-5 MAC).
How It Happened
Eastern scored first and never looked back as a 7-0 first quarter lead turned into a 24-0 advantage at the break. The Eagles got on the board first with Austin Smith (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove) running the ball in from five-yards out with 7:20 remaining in the opening stanza. After several stops on defense, the Eagles were back on the board in the second as Jaylon Jackson (Burleson, Texas/Centennial/Lamar) pulled down a Smith pass and ran in from 19 yards out to make it 14-0. After Jesús Gómez (Peubla, Mexico/Prepa Tec Puebla) was true from 29 yards with 4:21 remaining, Eastern added another touchdown, this time via a Samson Evans (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge/Iowa) 1-yard rush.
Following the break, the Bulls tallied the only two scores in the remaining two quarters, including a 6-yard rush from Ron Cook with a two-point conversion before Alex McNulty connected on a 40-yard field goal to make it 24-11 in favor of the visitors. Despite not scoring in the second half, Eastern was able to limit the Bulls' chances as Buffalo finished the game 3-of-12 in third-down conversions and just 1-of-6 on fourth down.
Game Notes
» Eastern put together one of its best first halves of play this season as the Eagles took a 24-0 lead into the break thanks in large part to the play of the offense that tallied 298 total yards, including 155 yards rushing and 143 passing yards. Eastern recorded season highs, including 298 total yards (222 vs. Massachusetts, Sept. 16), 143 passing yards (118 vs. Western Michigan, Oct. 28), 16 completions (13 vs. Ball State, Oct. 7) on 20 attempts (17, four times), and 16 first downs (14 vs. Ball State). Additionally, the passing and rushing yardage total marked the first time this season both categories were 100+ in the same game in the first half of play.
» The Eastern Michigan offense did a majority of its damage on the ground as the Eagles rushed for a season-high 228 yards. Prior to today's contest, Eastern's season-high came in its third game of the campaign against UMass, totaling 214 yards in a 19-17 win, Sept. 16.
» Evans rushed the ball 22 times for 127 yards, both of which are season-highs, while adding one touchdown, the 41st of his stellar career. The rushing total makes him the first Eagles back to accumulate 100+ yards on the ground this year and the first since he rushed for 135 yards in last year's finale at home against Central Michigan, Nov. 25, 2022. As a team, EMU is now 12-5 when Evans rushes for at least 60 yards in a game.
» Evans concluded the 2023 regular season with 74 total points which leads the team. After leading the Eagles in points last season with 90 (15 touchdowns), Evans became the first non-kicker to lead the Eagles in total points in consecutive seasons since Gary Patton led in 1986 (60 points) and 1987 (78 points).
» Jaylon Jackson was all over the field against Buffalo as the do-it-all running back finished the game with 122 all-purpose yards. Jackson ran the ball 16 times for 72 yards, recorded three catches for 18 yards, and added 32 yards on kick returns. Jackson has now amassed 100+ all-purpose yards in 12 of the 24 games he has played at Eastern (50%).
» Smith finished the game with 141 yards on 19-of-27 passing with one touchdown and was sacked just once in the game. Smith spread the ball around through the air as seven different players made at least one reception in the game.
» With a reception in the first quarter, Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio/Mason) has now caught at least one pass in 36 consecutive games. The mark ties the wide-out for eighth in the nation. Knue finished with two grabs for seven yards.
» The defense shutout Buffalo in the first half, marking the third time in 2023 Eastern has held an opponent scoreless in one half of play. The first came at home against Ball State, Oct. 7, when the Eagles held the Cardinals without a point in the second half before carrying that streak over into the first half of play against visiting Kent State, Oct. 14.
» Eastern forced three Buffalo fumbles in the first half of play, marking a season-high in forced fumbles and tying a season-high in recovered fumbles. Eastern previously forced multiple fumbles in games against Minnesota (Sept. 9), UMass (Sept. 16), Kent State (Oct. 14), Western Michigan (Oct. 28) and Toledo (Nov. 8). The Green and White previously recovered three fumbles in its 28-14 win over Kent State, Oct. 14. Additionally, with 11 fumbles recovered in the 2023 season, Eastern sits tied for third in the nation and first in the MAC along with Bowling Green. EMU won the turnover battle, 3-1, against the Bulls as well.
» Joe Sparacio (Naples, Fla./First Baptist Academy/Boston College) forced a fumble in the second quarter, marking the graduate student's third of the season. Sparacio's three forced fumbles lead the team and ranks tied for 11th in the nation. Sparacio, who had one of the team's six pass breakups in the game, finished the contest with a team-high-tying eight tackles.
» Soloman Bell (Pontiac, Mich./Southfield A&T/Highland C.C.) made his first scratch in the stats book as the junior defensive back recovered a fumble on Eastern's first kickoff of the game, following Smith's five-yard rushing score. Cole McElvany (Milan, Mich./Milan) joined Bell as he also etched his name into the stats book for the first time in his collegiate career as the linebacker forced a Buffalo fumble on EMU's first kickoff of the contest.
» Ryan Kingston (South Bend, Ind./Riley) recovered a fumble at the 8:41 mark in the second quarter, marking the sophomore's first recovered fumble and the first time a kicker has recovered a fumble in the Chris Creighton era (2014-pres.). Kingston had five kickoffs in the game, averaging 54.4 yards per kick.
» Justin Jefferson (Chicago, Ill./Brother Rice) sacked the Buffalo quarterback at the 2:52 mark in the first quarter for a loss of two-yards. The sack brings the linebacker's career total to 3.5, while marking the first time he has notched consecutive sacks, as he also took down the QB in Eastern's previous game, a 30-27 double-overtime win over the University of Akron Zips, Nov. 14.
» The Eastern defense stood tall on fourth down as they stopped the Buffalo offense short of the line to gain on 5-of-6 fourth down attempts in the contest. The Eagles defense concludes the 2023 regular season allowing fourth down conversions on just 12-of-33 (36.3%) attempts.
» The Eastern defense capitalized on its opportunities as it recorded six pass break-ups, marking the fourth time this season where the Green and White have tallied six or more PBUs in a single game.
» The Eastern defense recorded a season-low with just 53 tackles in the contest, contrary to a season-low in stops, the Eagles held the Bulls to just 11 points, its lowest mark of the season.
» The Eagles wore all gray uniforms in the game at Buffalo, marking what is believed to be the first time in program history the team has donned gray helmets, jerseys, and pants in the same game.
» The football team was not the only victorious Eagles as the men's basketball team posted a 76-72 road win at Detroit Mercy. The pair of wins marked the first time since Dec. 5, 2020, that both teams won on the same day as the football team defeated Western Michigan, 53-42, in Kalamazoo, while the hoopers downed Northwood, 79-57, in Ypsilanti.
Historical Notes
» With the win, the Eagles improved to 7-4 all-time against the Bulls and snapped a three-game losing streak in the series. The last time Eastern downed Buffalo came Oct. 11, 2014, a 37-27 home win in Ypsilanti on Homecoming. The win also improved the Eagles to 3-2 when playing at Buffalo.
» The win at Buffalo also snapped a two-game losing streak when playing inside UB Stadium. The last time Eastern was victorious as the visitors came in a 21-17 decision, Nov. 20, 2010.
» Eastern is now 2-0 when playing the final game of the regular season at Buffalo after winning, 38-14, at UB Stadium, Nov. 19, 2005.
» With the victory, the Eagles moved to 6-6 on the year and made them bowl eligible. Eastern will compete in its third consecutive bowl game and will look to make history by winning back-to-back bowls for the first time in the 132-year history of the program.
With Tuesday's win, Eastern Michigan has posted three consecutive seasons with a .500-or-better MAC record for the first time since 1986-89.
Up Next
With its sixth win secured, the Eagles will now await word on which bowl game they will be selected for when selections are announced Sunday, Dec. 3. All information, including opponent, game time, location, ticket information, and more will be announced when available on EMUEagles.com and all social platforms.
Eastern scored first and never looked back as a 7-0 first quarter lead turned into a 24-0 advantage at the break. The Eagles got on the board first with Austin Smith (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove) running the ball in from five-yards out with 7:20 remaining in the opening stanza. After several stops on defense, the Eagles were back on the board in the second as Jaylon Jackson (Burleson, Texas/Centennial/Lamar) pulled down a Smith pass and ran in from 19 yards out to make it 14-0. After Jesús Gómez (Peubla, Mexico/Prepa Tec Puebla) was true from 29 yards with 4:21 remaining, Eastern added another touchdown, this time via a Samson Evans (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge/Iowa) 1-yard rush.
Following the break, the Bulls tallied the only two scores in the remaining two quarters, including a 6-yard rush from Ron Cook with a two-point conversion before Alex McNulty connected on a 40-yard field goal to make it 24-11 in favor of the visitors. Despite not scoring in the second half, Eastern was able to limit the Bulls' chances as Buffalo finished the game 3-of-12 in third-down conversions and just 1-of-6 on fourth down.
Game Notes
» Eastern put together one of its best first halves of play this season as the Eagles took a 24-0 lead into the break thanks in large part to the play of the offense that tallied 298 total yards, including 155 yards rushing and 143 passing yards. Eastern recorded season highs, including 298 total yards (222 vs. Massachusetts, Sept. 16), 143 passing yards (118 vs. Western Michigan, Oct. 28), 16 completions (13 vs. Ball State, Oct. 7) on 20 attempts (17, four times), and 16 first downs (14 vs. Ball State). Additionally, the passing and rushing yardage total marked the first time this season both categories were 100+ in the same game in the first half of play.
» The Eastern Michigan offense did a majority of its damage on the ground as the Eagles rushed for a season-high 228 yards. Prior to today's contest, Eastern's season-high came in its third game of the campaign against UMass, totaling 214 yards in a 19-17 win, Sept. 16.
» Evans rushed the ball 22 times for 127 yards, both of which are season-highs, while adding one touchdown, the 41st of his stellar career. The rushing total makes him the first Eagles back to accumulate 100+ yards on the ground this year and the first since he rushed for 135 yards in last year's finale at home against Central Michigan, Nov. 25, 2022. As a team, EMU is now 12-5 when Evans rushes for at least 60 yards in a game.
» Evans concluded the 2023 regular season with 74 total points which leads the team. After leading the Eagles in points last season with 90 (15 touchdowns), Evans became the first non-kicker to lead the Eagles in total points in consecutive seasons since Gary Patton led in 1986 (60 points) and 1987 (78 points).
» Jaylon Jackson was all over the field against Buffalo as the do-it-all running back finished the game with 122 all-purpose yards. Jackson ran the ball 16 times for 72 yards, recorded three catches for 18 yards, and added 32 yards on kick returns. Jackson has now amassed 100+ all-purpose yards in 12 of the 24 games he has played at Eastern (50%).
» Smith finished the game with 141 yards on 19-of-27 passing with one touchdown and was sacked just once in the game. Smith spread the ball around through the air as seven different players made at least one reception in the game.
» With a reception in the first quarter, Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio/Mason) has now caught at least one pass in 36 consecutive games. The mark ties the wide-out for eighth in the nation. Knue finished with two grabs for seven yards.
» The defense shutout Buffalo in the first half, marking the third time in 2023 Eastern has held an opponent scoreless in one half of play. The first came at home against Ball State, Oct. 7, when the Eagles held the Cardinals without a point in the second half before carrying that streak over into the first half of play against visiting Kent State, Oct. 14.
» Eastern forced three Buffalo fumbles in the first half of play, marking a season-high in forced fumbles and tying a season-high in recovered fumbles. Eastern previously forced multiple fumbles in games against Minnesota (Sept. 9), UMass (Sept. 16), Kent State (Oct. 14), Western Michigan (Oct. 28) and Toledo (Nov. 8). The Green and White previously recovered three fumbles in its 28-14 win over Kent State, Oct. 14. Additionally, with 11 fumbles recovered in the 2023 season, Eastern sits tied for third in the nation and first in the MAC along with Bowling Green. EMU won the turnover battle, 3-1, against the Bulls as well.
» Joe Sparacio (Naples, Fla./First Baptist Academy/Boston College) forced a fumble in the second quarter, marking the graduate student's third of the season. Sparacio's three forced fumbles lead the team and ranks tied for 11th in the nation. Sparacio, who had one of the team's six pass breakups in the game, finished the contest with a team-high-tying eight tackles.
» Soloman Bell (Pontiac, Mich./Southfield A&T/Highland C.C.) made his first scratch in the stats book as the junior defensive back recovered a fumble on Eastern's first kickoff of the game, following Smith's five-yard rushing score. Cole McElvany (Milan, Mich./Milan) joined Bell as he also etched his name into the stats book for the first time in his collegiate career as the linebacker forced a Buffalo fumble on EMU's first kickoff of the contest.
» Ryan Kingston (South Bend, Ind./Riley) recovered a fumble at the 8:41 mark in the second quarter, marking the sophomore's first recovered fumble and the first time a kicker has recovered a fumble in the Chris Creighton era (2014-pres.). Kingston had five kickoffs in the game, averaging 54.4 yards per kick.
» Justin Jefferson (Chicago, Ill./Brother Rice) sacked the Buffalo quarterback at the 2:52 mark in the first quarter for a loss of two-yards. The sack brings the linebacker's career total to 3.5, while marking the first time he has notched consecutive sacks, as he also took down the QB in Eastern's previous game, a 30-27 double-overtime win over the University of Akron Zips, Nov. 14.
» The Eastern defense stood tall on fourth down as they stopped the Buffalo offense short of the line to gain on 5-of-6 fourth down attempts in the contest. The Eagles defense concludes the 2023 regular season allowing fourth down conversions on just 12-of-33 (36.3%) attempts.
» The Eastern defense capitalized on its opportunities as it recorded six pass break-ups, marking the fourth time this season where the Green and White have tallied six or more PBUs in a single game.
» The Eastern defense recorded a season-low with just 53 tackles in the contest, contrary to a season-low in stops, the Eagles held the Bulls to just 11 points, its lowest mark of the season.
» The Eagles wore all gray uniforms in the game at Buffalo, marking what is believed to be the first time in program history the team has donned gray helmets, jerseys, and pants in the same game.
» The football team was not the only victorious Eagles as the men's basketball team posted a 76-72 road win at Detroit Mercy. The pair of wins marked the first time since Dec. 5, 2020, that both teams won on the same day as the football team defeated Western Michigan, 53-42, in Kalamazoo, while the hoopers downed Northwood, 79-57, in Ypsilanti.
Historical Notes
» With the win, the Eagles improved to 7-4 all-time against the Bulls and snapped a three-game losing streak in the series. The last time Eastern downed Buffalo came Oct. 11, 2014, a 37-27 home win in Ypsilanti on Homecoming. The win also improved the Eagles to 3-2 when playing at Buffalo.
» The win at Buffalo also snapped a two-game losing streak when playing inside UB Stadium. The last time Eastern was victorious as the visitors came in a 21-17 decision, Nov. 20, 2010.
» Eastern is now 2-0 when playing the final game of the regular season at Buffalo after winning, 38-14, at UB Stadium, Nov. 19, 2005.
» With the victory, the Eagles moved to 6-6 on the year and made them bowl eligible. Eastern will compete in its third consecutive bowl game and will look to make history by winning back-to-back bowls for the first time in the 132-year history of the program.
With Tuesday's win, Eastern Michigan has posted three consecutive seasons with a .500-or-better MAC record for the first time since 1986-89.
Up Next
With its sixth win secured, the Eagles will now await word on which bowl game they will be selected for when selections are announced Sunday, Dec. 3. All information, including opponent, game time, location, ticket information, and more will be announced when available on EMUEagles.com and all social platforms.
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