Football Returns Home to Face UMass Saturday

Football vs. Massachusetts Minutemen
Date	Saturday, Sept. 16 \| 2 p.m.
Venue	'The Factory' inside Rynearson Stadium (30,200) \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Events	2nd Annual Car Show \| Band Day \| Kid's Club Day
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide (PDF) \| Press Conference Video
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	ESPN+
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| The Varsity Network App \| Eastern Insider Podcast
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Fan Information	Purchase Tickets \| Gameday Guide \| Season Yearbook

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Sportsmanship, sound, and steel will be on full display Saturday, Sept. 16, as the Eastern Michigan University football team hosts the University of Massachusetts in a non-conference affair at Rynearson Stadium. EMU will also be hosting a car show, band day, and kid's club day at the stadium with game time scheduled for 2 p.m.
The Eagles (1-1, 0-0 MAC) return home following a 25-6 road setback at the University of Minnesota, Sept. 9. Meanwhile, the Minutemen (1-2) had to weather through a nearly six-hour cumulative weather delay before ultimately falling to Miami University, 41-28, at home inside McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
The contest will be nationally televised on ESPN+ with Doug Sherman providing play-by-play and Marcus Ray serving as the analyst. The game will also be aired on WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network with veteran broadcasters Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick calling the action from the press box.

QUICK HITTERS
» EMU has won six consecutive non-conference home games dating back to the 2019 season.
» EMU ranks fifth nationally in kickoff returns, 11th in punt returns, 19th in fourth down conversion defense, and 27th in passing yards allowed.
» The Eagles are allowing the fewest passing yards per-game (155.5) in the MAC and allow receptions on just 54.2 percent of its foe's passes, the third best output in the conference.
» Jaylon Jackson and Hamze El-Zayat, who each ran back a kickoff in Week One's 33-23 season opening win against Howard, had no opportunities last weekend because all six Minnesota kickoffs went through the end zone.
» Minnesota fought its way inside the Eastern six-yard line six times during the Sept. 9 contest. The Eagles managed to prevent a touchdown on four of the six drives, forcing a turnover on downs and three field goals.
» EMU kickers have made their last 116 point-after touchdown attempts.
» EMU has not defeated the same non-conference opponent in three-straight seasons since upending Youngstown State five-times from 1985-89.
» With one more touchdown, running back Samson Evans will tie Gary Patton (1984-87) for the program's all-time record at 31 career scores.
» EMU next returns home Saturday, Oct. 7, to face Ball State at 3:30 p.m. It marks the 102nd Homecoming for Eastern Michigan University, and the 95th 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. EMU is 47-45-2 all-time on Homecoming, after defeating UMass, 20-13, last year. For more information, visit EMUEagles.com or call the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.3669.

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SYMPHONY OF HORSEPOWER AND HARMONY
Eastern Michigan will host its Second Annual Car Show at 'The Factory' with nearly 40 classic cars proudly on display around Rynearson Stadium. These rolling pieces of history will transport spectators through time, celebrating the elegance, power, and innovation of bygone eras. But this extraordinary day doesn't end with the roar of engines and the glint of chrome. It's also Band Day, and the musical heartbeat of Michigan's youth will infuse the air with energy and excitement. A total of 19 high school bands and twirlers from across the state are poised to serenade the crowd. The bands schedules to attend are Allen Park, Birch Run, Blissfield, Bullock Creek, Cass City, Concord, East Jackson, Goodrich, Grosse Pointe North, Hesperia, Jefferson, Onsted, Port Huron Northern, Powers Catholic, South Lake, Star International Academy, Waterford Mott, Woodhaven, and Ypsilanti Community.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING
With a first quarter rushing touchdown in a 33-23 win over Howard, Sept. 1, EMU standout back, Samson Evans has 30 rushing touchdowns in his Eastern career. One more score would tie the Crystal Lake, Ill., native with former Huron great Gary Patton (1984-87), who currently holds the record with 31career TDs.
Evans, who already holds the EMU career record for rushing scores, ranks third in the FBS in active career rushing touchdowns scored. Michigan running back Blake Corum (35) and Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (32) are the only active players with more, having found the endzone 32 times via the rush.

NON-CONFERENCE ODDITY
For the third consecutive season, Eastern Michigan and UMass will square off in a non-conference contest. Furthermore, the two schools will also open up the 2024 season in Amherst, Mass., Aug. 31.
EMU has not played the same out-of-league opponent in three-straight seasons since 2014-16 when it battled Old Dominion twice in the regular season and then again in the postseason. The last time it happened in the regular season was against Army in 2008-10.
Furthermore, EMU has not defeated the same non-conference opponent in three-straight seasons since upending Youngstown State five-times from 1985-89.

REV THOSE ENGINES
Along with the game against UMass, Eastern Michigan will welcome several classic automobiles for the team's annual Car Show. Looking at the roster, several players from both teams have names befitting the car show theme, including Brian Dooley (dualie), Mitchell Dietzel (diesel), Carson Lee (CARson), Sterling Miles, and Jamarien Wheeler (wheel) for the Eagles while the Minutemen feature Cameron Carson (CARson), Carlos Davis (CARlos), and Myles Turner (miles).

TOUGH INSIDE THE 20
The EMU defense has tightened up once its opponent reaches the red zone in the 2023 season. The Eagles' D ranks second in the conference in red zone touchdowns allowed (3), and fourth in red zone percentage (87.5%). Also, forcing a turnover-on-downs Saturday night in Minnesota, Set. 9, EMU became one of two MAC teams (Miami) to force a turnover-on-downs in the 2023 season.

GETTING IT RIGHT IN THE RED ZONE
After establishing the best red zone percentage (93.9%) in the MAC last season, the Eagles have hit the ground running yet again in the department, as they sit fourth in red zone percentage (83.3%) in the conference thus far in the 2023 season. EMU has driven inside the 20 yard line six times this season, tied for the third highest in the conference, and has scored in five of such trips.

A FORTRESS OF FOURTH DOWN
Eastern's opponents throughout the 2023 season have been ambitious on fourth down, testing the EMU defense six times so far in the 2023 campaign. The six times ranks second most in the MAC, and Eastern Michigan sits second in the league in opponent fourth down percentage (16.7%) as it has allowed just one conversion on the final down this season.

NO FLY ZONE
Eastern's secondary has been outstanding in its two games played in the 2023 season. The Eagles are allowing the fewest passing yards per-game (155.5) in the MAC so far, and allow receptions on just 54.2 percent of its foe's passes, the third best output in the conference.

BEND BUT DON'T BREAK
Minnesota fought its way inside the Eastern six-yard line six times during their contest, Sept. 9. The Eagles managed to prevent a touchdown on four of the six drives, forcing a turnover on downs and three field goals.

GO IT ALONE
Joe Sparacio posted 14 tackles at Minnesota, Sept. 9, including eight solo stops to his credit, which ties for the most he has recorded in his career, which came at Western Michigan, Oct. 8, 2022. Just two total tackles shy of his career best (16, at Ball State, Oct. 22, 2022), Sparacio has posted at least four solo stops in five games.
Sparacio's 14 stops at Minnesota, Sept. 9, ties him for the most total tackles recorded in a game this year by any MAC defender while his 12.0 tackles per game ranks tied for first in the MAC as well. Overall, his 24 total tackles in 2023 ranks second in the conference while his 12 solo tackles stands tied for fourth.

COURTESY OF COLEMAN
Defensive end Mikah Coleman bought his best to the gridiron at Minnesota, Sept. 9. The 6-foot-5 senior tabbed two tackles-for-loss and tied a career-best, adding a sack as well. Coleman previously tabbed a sack in EMU's season-opening contest against the Howard Bison, Sept. 1, after taking down signal-callers versus Akron, Nov. 8, 2022, and Ball State, Oct. 22, 2022.

MIGHTY MOWCHAN
Zach Mowchan earned his first collegiate start in the game at Minnesota, Sept. 9, and finished the game with five tackles, including two solo, and one forced fumble, the first of his career. Ahead of the season, Mowchan had appeared in 11 games for the Eagles and tallied three total tackles, including one solo stop. Already in 2023, the linebacker has recorded nine tackles, including four solo tackles.

JEFFERSON IS ON THE JOB
Senior linebacker Justin Jefferson forced and recovered a fumble early in the fourth quarter in EMU's contest versus Minnesota, Sept. 9, giving the Eagles positive field positioning in the late stages of the game. For EMU, it was its first takeaway of the 2023 campaign. For Jefferson, it marked his first forced and recovered fumble as an Eagle.

WALKER'S FIRST AS AN EAGLE
First-year Eagle Bennett Walker earned his first turnover since donning the block E. The San Diego, Calif., native reacted quickly to a tipped pass from the Gophers' QB, and secured the ball in diving fashion, giving the Eagles adequate field positioning for a fourth quarter push. Overall, it is Walker's third interception of his career as he snagged two during his time at San Diego Mesa College.

BIG CATCH BLAKE
With a 29-yard reception from Austin Smith early in the second quarter versus Minnesota, Sept. 9, graduate student Blake Daniels registered the longest reception of his Eastern Michigan career. Daniels, who finished the game with 33 receiving yards, now has the longest play from scrimmage by any Eagle in 2023 and is tied for the third-longest play of the year. Previously, the longest play from scrimmage came in the season-opening win over Howard, Sept. 1, when Smith ran the ball for a 22-yard pickup while the longest pass play was a 21-yard hookup between Smith and Andreas Paaske against the Bison.

GROUND GAINS
In the game at Minnesota, Sept. 10, four Eagles were credited with at least one rushing attempt. The trio of Samson Evans, Jaylon Jackson, and JB Mitchell III did not see any of their attempts stopped behind the line of scrimmage. Evans carried the ball 11 times for 73 yards, Jackson toted the rock three times for 19, and Mitchell had one carry for one yard.

IT'S GOOD FROM GOMEZ
Knocking two field goals through the uprights in EMU's contest against the Golden Gophers, Sept. 9, Jesús Gómez registered multiple field goals made for the fourth time in his Eastern career. Gomez has connected on 16 career field goals, which is tied for 10th-most in program history.

TOMASEK'S TREMENDOUS TOE
Punter Mitchell Tomasek picked up right where he left off in the 2022 campaign. An All-MAC First Team selection last season, and four-time MAC West Division Player of the Week, the third-year punter deposited two punts inside the Golden Gophers' 20 yard line, Sept. 9, while averaging a season-high 47.2 yards-per-punt. Moreover, Tomasek is tied for second in the conference for punts landing inside his opponents 20 (4), and stands alone for second in the MAC in yards-per-punt (47.2).

ALL-TIME VS UMASS
Saturday will mark the fifth time that EMU and UMass have met on the gridiron. Eastern holds a 2-2 record all-time when facing the Minutemen, after falling in the first two games of the series, the Eagles have won consecutive games against UMass to even the series. EMU's offense has proven fruitful against the Minutemen, outscoring them 62-41 in the series' two previous installments.

LAST TIME VS THE MINUTEMEN
Last season, Austin Smith threw two touchdown passes and Mark Lee Jr. had an interception in the fourth quarter as Eastern Michigan held off UMass, 20-13, inside Rynearson Stadium, Oct. 1, 2022.
Trailing 13-0 early in the third quarter, the Eagles put together an extended drive — 11 plays, 75 yards — and a quick drive — 3 plays, 65 yards — to grab the lead. Smith, in just his second start, capped the first one with an eight-yard pass to Darius Lassiter and the second with a 39-yard strike to Tanner Knue for a 14-13 lead After forcing a three-and-out, the Eagles put together a nine-play, 65-yard drive and stretched the lead to 20-13 on an eight-yard run up the middle by Darius Boone. The Minutemen had their only turnover on their next possession then had 49 yards on their last possession before losing the ball on downs at the EMU 31 with 1:41 to play.
Samson Evans ran for 122 yards for EMU while Smith was 13-of-24 for 122 yards, but was intercepted twice. Gino Campiotti ran for 118 yards for UMass but was just 8-of-18 for 87 yards passing.

TWO YEARS AGO IN AMHERST During the 2021 campaign, Eastern defeated UMass, 42-28, at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Sept. 18. In that meeting, the Eagles' offense racked up more than 500 yards of total offense. 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. Darius Boone tacked on 27 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for Eastern.

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 football club while keeping the remainder of its major sports within the Atlantic 10 Conference as opposed to converting to full MAC membership.

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 MAC crown.

WELCOME BACK TO WASHTENAW COUNTY
UMass Head Coach Don Brown is no stranger to Washtenaw County after spending five seasons at Michigan. 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, U-M 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.

ON THE HORIZON
Eastern's fourth game on the schedule comes against the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks Saturday, Sept. 23, at Burgess-Snow Field inside JSU Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT (5 p.m. ET) from Jacksonville, Ala.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Mikah Coleman

Blake Daniels

Mitchell Dietzel

Brian Dooley

Hamze El-Zayat

Samson Evans

Jaylon Jackson

Justin Jefferson

Tanner Knue

Darius Lassiter

Carson Lee

Mark Lee Jr.

Sterling Miles

JB Mitchell III

Zach Mowchan

Andreas Paaske

Austin Smith

Joe Sparacio

Mitchell Tomasek

Bennett Walker

Jamarien Wheeler

Eastern Michigan Athletics