EMU Set to Open the MAC Slate at CMU Saturday, Sept. 30

Football at Central Michigan
Date	Saturday, Sept. 30 \| 1:30 p.m. ET
Venue	Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,255) \| Mount Pleasant, Mich.
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

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The wait is over! After four weeks of non-conference matchups, the Eastern Michigan University football team is set to open Mid-American Conference play when it travels to Mount Pleasant, Mich. for a contest against Central Michigan University Saturday, Sept. 30. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. inside Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
   EMU (2-2, 0-0 MAC) is coming off a game that saw its defense limit Jacksonville State University to 388 yards of offense and 3-for-14 on third downs in a 21-0 road setback last weekend in Alabama. Meanwhile, CMU quarterback Jase Bauer burst up the middle with 13 seconds left to lift the Chippewas (2-2, 0-0 MAC) to a 34-30 road win over the University of South Alabama, Sept. 23.
   The game will be televised on ESPN+ where Dan Gutowsky and Marcus Ray will have the call. As always, fans can hear the game for free on WEMU (89.1 FM) or the Varsity Network app with veteran broadcasters Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick calling the action from the press box.

QUICK HITTERS
» The EMU-CMU series is the longest-running rivalry between any two MAC schools (101st meeting).
» Saturday marks the fourth time Eastern Michigan will open its MAC slate against Central Michigan. Eastern is 1-2 in those games with the lone win coming in Mount Pleasant, Sept. 24, 2005 (23-20 overtime win).
» The Eastern defense has allowed just 86 points for an average of 21.5 points per contest. It marks just the 11th time since joining the MAC in 1976 that EMU has limited its first four foes to under 90 points.
» EMU has allowed just seven first quarter points this season, which is tied for the 20th-fewest points relinquished.
» According to the NCAA statistics, the Eagles rank among the top 25 nationally in several categories, including kickoff returns (1st - 36.3 ypr), fourth down conversion defense (13th - 27.3%), fumbles lost (17th - 1), punt returns (18th - 15.3 ypk), and net punting (21st - 42.4 ypp).
» Against Jax State, Mitchell Tomasek had eight punts for 398 yards (EMU's 15th-highest single game total) for an average of 49.8. For his effort, he was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week for the seventh time in his career.
» Jaylon Jackson has reached 100+ all-purpose yards in 8-of-16 (50%) games played donning the block E.
» Samson Evans needs 94 yards rushing to reach the 2,000-yard plateau and become the 12th EMU player to reach the mark. Shaq Vann (2015-19; 2,577 yards) is the last player to join the distinguished club.
» 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.

DEFENDING THE MICHIGAN MAC TROPHY
The game at CMU will mark the start of the Eagles' defense of the Michigan MAC Trophy, which Eastern captured in 2022 by sweeping the three-way series with Central and Western Michigan. Given annually to one of the Michigan-based, MAC institutions, the trophy is awarded to the team which has the best head-to-head record against each other. It is one of just two regularly awarded trophies between three teams (the other is the Commander-in-Chief's trophy between Army, Navy, and Air Force). Since the inception of the trophy in 2005, Eastern has won the crown five times with the 2022 victory the program's first since winning back-to-back crowns in 2011 and 2012.

EVANS APPROACHING PATTON FOR TOUCHDOWN MARK
With his next trip to the end zone, Samson Evans will tie former Huron great Gary Patton (1984-87) for the most career touchdowns scored in EMU history. Patton holds the record with 31 career TDs (26 rush, 5 receiving), while Evans has found pay-dirt 30 times via the ground. Evans, who already holds the EMU career mark for rushing scores, has also tossed four touchdown passes that are not figured into that number.    Quarterback Brogan Roback (2013-17) holds the program record for total touchdowns responsible for with 62.    Evans is fifth in the FBS in active career rushing touchdowns scored. Michigan running back Blake Corum (39), Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader (35), Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (33), and Marshall running back Rasheen Ali (31) are the only players with more.

STRONG START FOR DEFENSE
Through four games, the Eastern defense has allowed just 86 points for an average of 21.5 points per contest. It marks just the 11th time (1977, 79, 83, 85, 86, 87, 89, 96, 2011, 2017, and 2023) since joining the Mid-American Conference in 1976 season that EMU has limited its first four foes to under 90 points. The last time EMU accomplished the feat came in 2017 with 71 points allowed across the opening four of games (17.8 ppg).
   The 1977 club holds the EMU standard of 6.0 ppg (24 points) over its first four contests. That year, EMU did not allow an opponent double digits until week six.

BRING YOUR HARD HAT
Eastern Michigan has allowed just seven first-quarter points this season, which is tied for the 20th-fewest points relinquished in the FBS. Louisville, Georgia Southern, Duke, Army, and Penn State have yet to allow its opposition to score in the first 15 minutes.
   Furthermore, EMU has given up an average of 9.0 points (t-32nd in the FBS) in the first half and 12.5 points (t-69th in the FBS) following the intermission.

NATIONALLY KNOWN
According to the NCAA statistics, the Eagles rank among the top 25 nationally in several categories, including kickoff returns (1st - 36.3 ypr), fourth down conversion defense (13th - 27.3%), fumbles lost (17th - 1), punt returns (18th - 15.3 ypk), and net punting (21st - 42.4 ypp).
   Individually, Hamze El-Zayat and Jaylon Jackson are tied for the national lead in kickoff returns for TDs (1). Bennett Walker tops the rankings with three interceptions, while    Justin Jefferson is second with two fumbles recovered. Mitchell Tomasek is eighth in the FBS in punting (46.9 ypp), Joe Sparacio is third in total stops (13.0 tpg), and Chase Kline is eighth in solo tackles (6.0) and seventh in total tackles per game (11.0).

SPECIAL TEAMS HAVE BEEN SPECIAL
According to ESPN, EMU's special teams rank second nationally in team efficiencies at 85.5. Tulsa leads the way at 86.4. The value is based on a 0-100 scale; based on special teams' contribution to scoring margin on per-play basis and adjusted for the strength of opposing special teams faced.

BIG BOOT
Punter Mitchell Tomasek had a career game at Jacksonville State as the junior kicked eight times for 398 yards for an average of 49.8 yards per boot. The highlight of his day came with a booming 72-yard punt in the second quarter that flipped the field from the EMU 20 to the Jax State 8-yard line. That boomer goes down as a career-best for the junior and is the longest punt by an Eagle since former EMU punter Jake Julien had a 71-yarder versus Army, Oct. 27, 2018. The only two longer punts in EMU history came by way of former Normalites punter Charles Nemeth in 1940 and 1943. Furthermore, he set a career-high in both punts (eight) and punting yards (398).
   For his effort, he was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week for the seventh time in his career.

LEADING THE WAY
The 72-yard punt by Mitchell Tomasek at Jax State, Sept. 23, was the longest in the FBS at the time of the kick and, through games played Sept. 23, ranks as the second-longest in the NCAA this year as Flynn Appleby of Rutgers sent one 75 yards at Michigan later in the day. All told, five players have punted over 70 yards this year with Matt Hayball (Vanderbilt), Porter Wilson (Duke), and Tyler Perkins (Iowa State) as the only punters to record a 70-yard boot this year.

MORE THAN AVERAGE
Mitchell Tomasek finished the game versus the Gamecocks, Sept. 23, with eight punts totaling 398 yards (the 15th-highest single-game total at EMU) for an average of 49.8 per boot. The average ranks as the fifth-best in a single game in program history behind three games from Jake Julien and one from Austin Barnes.

WHITE HOT START
An early-season staple of the EMU secondary, freshman Daiquan White has registered a pass break-up in each of his first four collegiate football games. The first-year standout is the only EMU defensive back to notch a PBU in each of the team's first four games. Additionally, White sits tied for third in the MAC with four PBUs, averaging one per game.

SPARACIO'S SUPERIORITY
Joe Sparacio showed up yet again as the graduate student recorded 14 tackles against Jax State, Sept. 23, marking his fourth consecutive double-digit tackling performance. The last time EMU had a double-digit tackler in four consecutive games came via former Eagle Terry Myrick who did so in four games from Nov. 3-27, 2020. Currently, Sparacio leads the MAC in tackles (52).

KLINE'S ON THE CHASE
Chase Kline displayed his defensive prowess yet again against the Gamecocks, Sept. 23. The Chardon, Ohio, native, totaled 14 tackles, 0.5 TFLs, and one QB hurry. Additionally, his outing against Jax State marked Kline's fifth double-digit tackling game since his arrival at EMU.

A FIRST FOR CARTER JR.
Dragging down the Gamecocks' running back in the second quarter for a loss of two yards, senior defensive back David Carter Jr. tabbed the first tackle for loss of his college football career. Carter Jr. also broke up a Jax State pass in the contest, marking the first game in which the senior has secured both a TFL and PBU.

JEFFERSON'S CAREER OUTING
After recovering two fumbles in EMU's previous two games versus Minnesota, Sept. 9, and UMass, Sept. 16, linebacker Justin Jefferson racked up a career-high nine tackles in the game against the Gamecocks, Sept. 23.

ADDITIONAL FACES UNDER CENTER
Eastern's contest versus Jacksonville State, Sept. 23, saw the debut of quarterback in Ike Udengwu III. Udengwu finished the game compiling 42 passing yards off seven completed passes. Additionally, Cam'Ron McCoy saw his first football action of the 2023 campaign, finishing with one rushing attempt. McCoy, who is also a pitcher on the EMU baseball team, is one of 13 FBS players that is also on a baseball roster. McCoy made six appearances on the mount for EMU in 2023, holding opposing batters to a .231 batting average in his four innings of work last season.

GOING HOME FOR A CAREER NIGHT
Alabaster, Ala., native, JB Mitchell III made himself comfortable, hauling in a career-best three receptions for 23 yards. Mitchell's hometown of Alabaster is located roughly 90 minutes southwest of Jacksonville, Ala.

CHIP DIP
EMU and CMU will meet on the gridiron for the 101st time in history between the two programs, with the Chippewas holding the series lead, 63-31-6. The EMU-CMU series is the longest-running rivalry between any two MAC schools.
   The last time the Green and White were victorious in Mount Pleasant was Oct. 15, 2011. EMU invaded its rivals from the north and left with a 35-28 victory in the first leg of claiming the Michigan MAC Trophy.

OPENING AWAY FROM HOME
When EMU and CMU meet, it will mark the fourth time the Eagles have opened their MAC slate against the Chippewas. Eastern is 1-2 in those games, including a 42-16 loss Oct. 5, 2019, in the last such instance. The lone win came at CMU, Sept. 24, 2005, in a 23-20 overtime win.

TRYING TO STOP A PAIR OF STREAKS
Eastern will look to end a pair of streaks this weekend – a five-game slide when playing at Central Michigan as well as a six-game skid in conference openers. The Eagles, who are 13-34 all-time in MAC openers, fell last year at home to Buffalo, 51-30, Sept. 24, 2022, after dropping the previous four openers all on the road. Overall, EMU is 7-18 when its first MAC game of the season is played on the road.

GETTING THE WIN
A win at CMU would be the first road win in a MAC opener since the 28-25 victory at Bowling Green, Oct. 1, 2016, and would snap a four-game slide. Eastern has been close to halting the skid in each of its last two attempts with one-score losses at Northern Illinois, 27-20, Oct. 2, 2021, and at Kent State, 27-23, Nov. 2, 2020.

LAST TIME VS. THE CHIPS
Taylor Powell threw three touchdown passes - two of them in a pivotal third quarter - and ran for a score as Eastern Michigan rolled to a 38-19 victory over Central Michigan, Nov. 25, 2022.
   EMU, which closed out the regular season with three straight wins, shared the MAC West Division title with Toledo after Western Michigan upset the Rockets, 20-14.
   Powell threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Knue to open the scoring. Samson Evans 15-yard scoring run gave the Eagles a 14-7 lead after one quarter. Evans set an Eagles record with the 27th rushing touchdown of his career.
   Freshman Bert Emanuel Jr.'s second touchdown run - a 35-yarder - pulled CMU within 14-13 at halftime.    Powell connected with Andreas Paaske for a nine-yard score midway through the third quarter to up the Eagles' lead to 21-13. Powell gave EMU a two-score lead with 21-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Drummond on the final play of the quarter. Powell scored on an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter.
   Powell completed 24-of-36 passes for 266 yards for Eastern Michigan. Evans rushed 23 times for 135 yards.

LAST TIME IN MT. PLEASANT
Daniel Richardson threw two touchdown passes to JaCorey Sullivan, Marion Lukes returned a second-half kickoff 100 yards and Central Michigan ended the season with a 31-10 defeat of rival Eastern Michigan. Nov. 26, 2021.
   Lew Nichols carried the ball 44 times and gained 194 yards with a 33-yard touchdown run for CMU. Eastern Michigan scored its lone touchdown on a Samson Evans two-yard run. Ben Bryant threw for 221 yards, completing 24-of-35 passes. He was sacked seven times.

EMU'S LAST WIN IN MOUNT PLEASANT
A dramatic 30-yard touchdown run by quarterback Alex Gillett with just 37 seconds left in the game broke a 28-28 tie to give Eastern Michigan a 35-28 win over Central Michigan inside Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Oct. 15, 2011.
    Then-Head Coach Ron English's Eagles held what looked like a safe 28-13 lead with 5:39 left in the game, but Central came back to score 15 unanswered points to tie the game at 28-all with 1:09 left.
    Facing what looked like a certain overtime finish, the Eagles then took the ensuing kickoff and marched all the way to the CMU 30-yard line setting up the exciting run by Gillett. Kody Fulkerson added the PAT kick for the 35-28 EMU lead with 37 seconds left.
    Central would not go quietly, however, advancing all the way to the EMU 28-yard line before cornerback Marcell Rose picked off a Ryan Radcliff pass on the last play of the game at the EMU four-yard-line and returned it to the eight before sliding down to end the contest.

CMU TIES
Saturday's game will serve as a homecoming for one member of the Eastern Coaching staff. Defensive tackles coach Jerone Steckel served as a graduate assistant for the Central football team in the 2017 season.

ON THE HORIZON
After the game at Central Michigan, the Eagles will return to Ypsilanti to take on Ball State University, Oct. 7, at 3:30 p.m. It will be the 102nd celebration of Homecoming on the EMU campus.

Players Mentioned

David Carter Jr.

Dylan Drummond

Hamze El-Zayat

Samson Evans

Jaylon Jackson

Justin Jefferson

Chase Kline

Tanner Knue

Cam’Ron McCoy

JB Mitchell III

Andreas Paaske

Taylor Powell

Joe Sparacio

Mitchell Tomasek

Ike Udengwu III

Bennett Walker

Daiquan White

Eastern Michigan Athletics