Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Voted to Finish Second in MAC West Division
7/20/2023 9:01:00 AM | Football
Eagles coming off MAC West Division Co-Champion season in 2022
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team has been selected to finish second in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division the conference announced today, July 20. The annual poll was released at the conference's annual MAC Football Media Day, which was held at the Fox Theatre in downtown Detroit.
Comprised of voting from the league's head coaches, the Eagles earned 55 points and one first-place vote, placing them second in the West behind the University of Toledo, who earned 66 points and 11 first-place votes. The two teams shared the MAC West crown in 2022 with Toledo earning the division's berth into the MAC Championship game. The West was rounded out by Northern Illinois University in third (38 points), Central Michigan University in fourth (37), Ball State University in fifth (27), and Western Michigan University in sixth (23).
In the East, Ohio University earned the top spot with 63 points and nine first-place votes with Miami University (52 points and two first-place votes) sitting second and the University at Buffalo just behind the RedHawks with 51 points and one first-place vote. The remaining voting saw Bowling Green State University voted fourth (35 points), the University of Akron in fifth (26), and Kent State University in sixth (19).
Three teams were voted to win the Rocket Mortgage MAC Football Championship game this year with Toledo earning seven votes, Ohio receiving four, and Buffalo one. The game, which will pit the West and East Division champions against one another, is set to be played Saturday, Dec. 2, inside Ford Field in Detroit.
Historical Ranking
The Eagles' projected finish in 2023 is the highest the program has received in years. Dating back to 1998, this year's selection surpassed the third-place selection earned in 2005, and marks just the sixth time Eastern was voted to finish in the top four of the West Division. Additionally, the first-place vote received by the Eagles is believed to be the first they have garnered in that time span as well.
Kicking Off
Once again, this year's MAC Football Media Day will be shown live on ESPN+ from 11-1:30 p.m. today! The production will highlight the league's annual kickoff event as the hosts will visit with all MAC head coaches and several student-athletes throughout MAC Media Day.
Attending from Eastern Michigan will be Head Coach Chris Creighton, senior running back Samson Evans (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge/Iowa), and senior linebacker Chase Kline (Chardon, Ohio/Chardon/Michigan State).
EMUEagles.com will also have full coverage of the event with interviews and releases to be posted throughout the day.
Not only will MAC Football fans around the country be able to watch the live show previewing the upcoming 2023 season, but they will also have the opportunity to interact with the head coaches, student-athletes, and league office regarding media day. Both EMU and the MAC will post updates throughout the day using its Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook feeds. The official Twitter hashtag for the 2023 MAC Football Media Day coverage is #MACtion and #EMUFB. Official tweets will include this hashtag and all media and fans are also asked to use it in their tweets related to the event and when sending questions to their favorite coaches and student-athletes.
Tickets
Season ticket packages are available for the 2023 season and can be purchased by visiting EMUEagles.com/Tickets, by calling 734.487.3669, or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office. This year's season ticket packages include:
» Ultimate Fan Season Tickets: $150 (Includes wide chairback with armrests on the 50-yard line along with VIP season parking).
» Chairback Season Tickets: $120 (Includes chairback in Reserved Sections 104-109).
» Reserved Season Tickets: $108 (Available in Reserved Sections 104-109).
» General Admission Season Tickets: $84 (Available in Sections 110-114 and all Visiting Side).
» General Admission Value Pack: $240 (Min. 4).
» General Admission Alumni Season Value Pack: $220 (Min. 4)
» E-Club Season Tickets: Start at $200. Available for former EMU Student-Athletes and provides Season Tickets for all home Football, Men's Basketball, and Women's Basketball games.
» Pride of the Peninsula Package: $150 (Includes $30 support to the EMU Marching Band). Available for EMU Marching Band Alumni, parents, family, and friends, and provides Season Tickets for all home Football games.
2023 MAC Football Head Coaches Preseason Poll (first place votes)
West Division
1. Toledo – 66 points (11)
2. Eastern Michigan – 55 points (1)
3. Northern Illinois – 38 points
4. Central Michigan – 37 points
5. Ball State – 27 points
6. Western Michigan – 23 points
East Division
1. Ohio – 63 points (9)
2. Miami – 52 points (2)
3. Buffalo – 51 points (1)
4. Bowling Green – 35 points
5. Akron – 26 points
6. Kent State – 19 points
MAC Champion: Toledo (7), Ohio (4), Buffalo (1)
Comprised of voting from the league's head coaches, the Eagles earned 55 points and one first-place vote, placing them second in the West behind the University of Toledo, who earned 66 points and 11 first-place votes. The two teams shared the MAC West crown in 2022 with Toledo earning the division's berth into the MAC Championship game. The West was rounded out by Northern Illinois University in third (38 points), Central Michigan University in fourth (37), Ball State University in fifth (27), and Western Michigan University in sixth (23).
In the East, Ohio University earned the top spot with 63 points and nine first-place votes with Miami University (52 points and two first-place votes) sitting second and the University at Buffalo just behind the RedHawks with 51 points and one first-place vote. The remaining voting saw Bowling Green State University voted fourth (35 points), the University of Akron in fifth (26), and Kent State University in sixth (19).
Three teams were voted to win the Rocket Mortgage MAC Football Championship game this year with Toledo earning seven votes, Ohio receiving four, and Buffalo one. The game, which will pit the West and East Division champions against one another, is set to be played Saturday, Dec. 2, inside Ford Field in Detroit.
Historical Ranking
The Eagles' projected finish in 2023 is the highest the program has received in years. Dating back to 1998, this year's selection surpassed the third-place selection earned in 2005, and marks just the sixth time Eastern was voted to finish in the top four of the West Division. Additionally, the first-place vote received by the Eagles is believed to be the first they have garnered in that time span as well.
Kicking Off
Once again, this year's MAC Football Media Day will be shown live on ESPN+ from 11-1:30 p.m. today! The production will highlight the league's annual kickoff event as the hosts will visit with all MAC head coaches and several student-athletes throughout MAC Media Day.
Attending from Eastern Michigan will be Head Coach Chris Creighton, senior running back Samson Evans (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge/Iowa), and senior linebacker Chase Kline (Chardon, Ohio/Chardon/Michigan State).
EMUEagles.com will also have full coverage of the event with interviews and releases to be posted throughout the day.
Not only will MAC Football fans around the country be able to watch the live show previewing the upcoming 2023 season, but they will also have the opportunity to interact with the head coaches, student-athletes, and league office regarding media day. Both EMU and the MAC will post updates throughout the day using its Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook feeds. The official Twitter hashtag for the 2023 MAC Football Media Day coverage is #MACtion and #EMUFB. Official tweets will include this hashtag and all media and fans are also asked to use it in their tweets related to the event and when sending questions to their favorite coaches and student-athletes.
Tickets
Season ticket packages are available for the 2023 season and can be purchased by visiting EMUEagles.com/Tickets, by calling 734.487.3669, or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office. This year's season ticket packages include:
» Ultimate Fan Season Tickets: $150 (Includes wide chairback with armrests on the 50-yard line along with VIP season parking).
» Chairback Season Tickets: $120 (Includes chairback in Reserved Sections 104-109).
» Reserved Season Tickets: $108 (Available in Reserved Sections 104-109).
» General Admission Season Tickets: $84 (Available in Sections 110-114 and all Visiting Side).
» General Admission Value Pack: $240 (Min. 4).
» General Admission Alumni Season Value Pack: $220 (Min. 4)
» E-Club Season Tickets: Start at $200. Available for former EMU Student-Athletes and provides Season Tickets for all home Football, Men's Basketball, and Women's Basketball games.
» Pride of the Peninsula Package: $150 (Includes $30 support to the EMU Marching Band). Available for EMU Marching Band Alumni, parents, family, and friends, and provides Season Tickets for all home Football games.
2023 MAC Football Head Coaches Preseason Poll (first place votes)
West Division
1. Toledo – 66 points (11)
2. Eastern Michigan – 55 points (1)
3. Northern Illinois – 38 points
4. Central Michigan – 37 points
5. Ball State – 27 points
6. Western Michigan – 23 points
East Division
1. Ohio – 63 points (9)
2. Miami – 52 points (2)
3. Buffalo – 51 points (1)
4. Bowling Green – 35 points
5. Akron – 26 points
6. Kent State – 19 points
MAC Champion: Toledo (7), Ohio (4), Buffalo (1)
Players Mentioned
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