Eastern Michigan Athletics
James Djonkam Named MAC Defensive Player of the Week
11/25/2024 11:00:00 AM | Football
Senior tallied a FBS-leading 22 tackles versus Buffalo, Nov. 20
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — The second to last weekly awards for the 2024 football season were announced by the Mid-American Conference today, Nov. 25, with Eastern Michigan University linebacker James Djonkam (Springfield, Va./West Springfield/Arizona State) earning MAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors. Djonkam shared the accolade with the University at Buffalo's Shaun Dolac.
Djonkam delivered a career-best defensive performance, recording 22 tackles, including eight solo stops, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, and a quarterback hurry against Buffalo, Nov. 20. Djonkam, whose previous career high was 13 tackles set against UMass, Aug. 31, matched that mark in the first half alone before finishing with 22. This effort marks the highest single-game tackle total in the FBS this season, surpassing the 20 tackles recorded by Isaac Smith (Mississippi State) and Colin Ramos (Navy).
Djonkam's performance also ranks among EMU's all-time best, tying for third-most tackles in a single game since 1998. Notable EMU records include Blake McCall's 29-tackle game in 1999 and Chase Kline's 23 tackles in 2023.
The stage is set for a historic clash as Eastern Michigan University and Western Michigan University face off in what could be the most meaningful encounter in the 112-year history of the rivalry. On Saturday, Nov. 30, the stakes could not be higher—bowl eligibility, the coveted Michigan MAC Trophy, and a chance to rewrite the narrative of their seasons. Both teams enter Waldo Stadium with identical records of 5-6 but carrying very different burdens. For Eastern Michigan, the weight of a four-game losing streak looms large. The Eagles, once brimming with promise after a 5-2 start, now find themselves needing a win to keep their postseason streak alive. Last week's 37-20 home defeat to Buffalo highlighted the urgency, and now the Eagles must rally to break their skid.
Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m., with live coverage on ESPN+, WEMU (89.1 FM), and The Varsity Network app.
2024 MAC Players of the Week
Week 13 (Nov. 25)
Offense: Parker Navarro (QB) • Ohio, QB | Rahkeem Smith (WR) • Bowling Green
Defense: James Djonkam (LB) • Eastern Michigan | Shaun Dolac (LB) • Buffalo
Special Teams: Tristan Mattson (K) • Central Michigan
Djonkam delivered a career-best defensive performance, recording 22 tackles, including eight solo stops, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, and a quarterback hurry against Buffalo, Nov. 20. Djonkam, whose previous career high was 13 tackles set against UMass, Aug. 31, matched that mark in the first half alone before finishing with 22. This effort marks the highest single-game tackle total in the FBS this season, surpassing the 20 tackles recorded by Isaac Smith (Mississippi State) and Colin Ramos (Navy).
Djonkam's performance also ranks among EMU's all-time best, tying for third-most tackles in a single game since 1998. Notable EMU records include Blake McCall's 29-tackle game in 1999 and Chase Kline's 23 tackles in 2023.
The stage is set for a historic clash as Eastern Michigan University and Western Michigan University face off in what could be the most meaningful encounter in the 112-year history of the rivalry. On Saturday, Nov. 30, the stakes could not be higher—bowl eligibility, the coveted Michigan MAC Trophy, and a chance to rewrite the narrative of their seasons. Both teams enter Waldo Stadium with identical records of 5-6 but carrying very different burdens. For Eastern Michigan, the weight of a four-game losing streak looms large. The Eagles, once brimming with promise after a 5-2 start, now find themselves needing a win to keep their postseason streak alive. Last week's 37-20 home defeat to Buffalo highlighted the urgency, and now the Eagles must rally to break their skid.
Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m., with live coverage on ESPN+, WEMU (89.1 FM), and The Varsity Network app.
2024 MAC Players of the Week
Week 13 (Nov. 25)
Offense: Parker Navarro (QB) • Ohio, QB | Rahkeem Smith (WR) • Bowling Green
Defense: James Djonkam (LB) • Eastern Michigan | Shaun Dolac (LB) • Buffalo
Special Teams: Tristan Mattson (K) • Central Michigan
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