Michigan MAC Trophy and Bowl Eligibility at Stake Saturday, Nov. 30, in Kalamazoo

Football at Western Michigan
Date	Saturday, Nov. 30 \| 1:30 p.m. ET
Venue	Waldo Stadium (30,200) \| Kalamazoo, 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) \| SiriusXM (Channel 985) \| The Varsity Network App \| Eastern Insider Podcast
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – 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.
    On the other sideline, Western Michigan is fighting its own battle against adversity. The Broncos, riding a three-game losing streak, are coming off a heart-wrenching 16-14 loss to archrival Central Michigan. They, too, stand on the precipice of bowl eligibility, knowing that a win would salvage their season after a 4-0 start to conference play.
    Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m., with live coverage on ESPN+, WEMU (89.1 FM), and The Varsity Network app.

MICHIGAN MAC TROPHY ON THE LINE
Whose trophy case will be a little fuller this off-season – Eastern's or Western's? Saturday's contest will decide the Michigan MAC Trophy. Given annually to one of the Michigan-based, Mid-American Conference institutions (EMU, WMU, CMU), 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). Originating in 2005, EMU has claimed ownership five times (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2022). EMU has already defeated CMU, 38-34, in Ypsilanti, while the Chippewas edged WMU, 16-14, just last week in Mount Pleasant. With a victory, EMU will earn the trophy as the outright winner, however, a WMU triumph keeps the trophy in Kalamazoo since there would be no outright champion in the three-way series.

TO BOWL OR NOT TO BOWL
Saturday's contest is an elimination game with the winner securing bowl eligibility, while the loser begins off-season preparations. One of just two games around the country with such high stakes, Eastern and Western have faced each other in regular-season finales eight times since 1975. The Broncos hold a 6-1-1 advantage in those contests, most recently claiming a 28-0 victory in the 2000 finale at Waldo. The two programs closed the 1979-85 seasons against one another, including memorable moments such as a 3-3 tie in 1982 and a 24-14 victory for Eastern in 1984.

HUH? WHAT DAY IS IT?
Marking a departure from recent tradition of a "Black Friday" finale, Eastern Michigan will finish the regular season on a Saturday for the first time since 2002.

THE CLOUDY BOWL PICTURE
This year's postseason features 82 spots across 41 bowl games. As of Nov. 24, 77 teams have secured eligibility. Two more teams are guaranteed to join them in upcoming 5-6 matchups: Eastern Michigan vs. Western Michigan and Virginia vs. Virginia Tech. Additionally, 12 teams have a chance to clinch eligibility with a win including App State, Auburn, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Kansas, Louisiana-Monroe, Michigan State, Nevada, NC State, North Texas, Oregon State, and Wisconsin.
    Depending on the results, up to three 5-win teams could receive bowl invitations, or as many as nine eligible teams might be left out. Bowl announcements will be made Sunday, Dec. 8.

FAMILIAR TERRITORY
Eastern Michigan is no stranger to having to post a win in its final game to secure a postseason position. Last year, EMU needed to wins its final two games en route to a 68 Ventures Bowl appearance – posting a 30-27 double overtime win versus Akron and a 24-11 road win at Buffalo. During the 2018 campaign, Eastern had to win in final three games and then hope for an eventual selection to the Camellia Bowl when there were more bowl eligible teams than openings.

SENIOR SENDOFF
A total of 12 players are playing in their final regular season contest: Blake Bustard, David Carter Jr., Blake Daniels, James Djonkam, Jere Getzinger, Justin Jefferson, Trey Laing, Delbert Mimms III, Peyton Price, Dylan Shelton, Cole Snyder, and Joey Zelinsky.

STABILITY UNDER CENTER
Cole Synder is poised to become just the fifth EMU QB to start every contest dating back to 2004. Snyder, who has 11 in 2024, joins Preston Hutchinson (2020), Brogan Roback (2017), Alex Gillett (2010-11), and Matt Bohnet (2004) as the other EMU signal callers to do so.

CLOSING IN NOVEMBER
EMU is 17-14 in the month of November since the beginning of 2016. In the six seasons prior, Eastern combined for a total of 15 wins across all regular-season games. Furthermore, if you exclude 2020's COVID-adjusted season when the schedule began in November, EMU's winning percentage jumps to .629 (17-10).

GOING BOWLING?
With a win versus WMU, the Eagles would become bowl eligible at 6-6. It would mark the fourth year in a row - and sixth consecutive when taking out the COVID season of 2020 - that the Eagles would become bowl eligible. It also would mark the seventh time EMU has been bowl eligible under Chris Creighton in his 11 years with the program.

RACE TO THE PINS
Eastern has earned bowl eligibility six times with the earliest in the season qualification occurring after 10 games in both 2022 and 2016. It took EMU 11 games three times and 12 games once (last year) to reach the magical sixth win.

KINGS OF THE LANES
Since 2016, all 12 MAC teams have played in at least one bowl game, with the Eagles appearing in a league-best six, joining Ohio and Toledo for the top spot.
6 • Eastern Michigan, Ohio, Toledo
5 • Miami
4 • Buffalo, Central Michigan, NIU, Western Michigan
2 • Ball State, Bowling Green, Kent State
1 • Akron

ONE OF THE BEST
Since 2016, Eastern has posted the fifth-most victories of any team in the MAC.
73 • Toledo
67 • Ohio
60 • Western Michigan, Miami
55 • Eastern Michigan
53 • Buffalo
52 • Northern Illinois
48 • Central Michigan
40 • Ball State
37 • Bowling Green
30 • Kent State
26 • Akron

IN THE SERIES: WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan holds a 35-22-2 lead in the all-time series, however Eastern has rattled off four wins in the last five tried against the Broncos, including a 45-23 decision in Kalamazoo, Oct. 8, 2022. The Broncos lead, 21-9-1, when playing in Kalamazoo but have dropped the last two decisions in the series. EMU has never won three consecutive contests at Waldo Stadium.

LAST MEETING WITH WMU
Jalen Buckley ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns and the Western Michigan defense added a pair of safeties and a touchdown and the Broncos beat Eastern Michigan 45-21, at Rynearson Stadium, Oct. 28, 2024.
    Buckley scored on a pair of short runs, sandwiched around a 20-yard scoring connection between Hayden Wolff and Blake Bosma to give the Broncos a 21-0 lead.
    Samson Evans scored on a 15-yard run to put the Eagles on the board late in the second quarter.
    A holding penalty on an EMU pass attempt from the end zone in the opening minutes of the third quarter upped the Bronco lead to 23-7, and a sack in the end zone on the last play of the third quarter made it 25-13.
    Evans scored his second touchdown between the sacks and Austin Smith connected with Jaylon Jackson for a 68-yard TD early in the fourth quarter to make it 32-19. Aardon Wofford had two interceptions for the Broncos.

LAST TIME IN WALDO
EMU used dominant performances on both sides of the ball en route to a 45-23 win over WMU, Oct. 8, 2022, inside Waldo Stadium. The victory was a program-best fourth straight in the annual "Battle for I-94."
    Senior gunslinger Taylor Powell led Eastern Michigan's passing attack with 293 yards through the air, tossing for a career-best-tying three touchdowns without throwing an interception. Samson Evans led all EMU rushers with 90 yards and three touchdowns in the contest while Jaylon Jackson added 32 yards on the ground, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
    Powell's most prolific target in the ballgame was Darius Lassiter, who caught six passes for 104 yards and one score. Hassan Beydoun got in on the action, hauling in three balls for 57 yards and one touchdown.
    Jose Ramirez led the Eastern Michigan defensive effort, collecting six tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, and one forced fumble while Jordan Crawford added 0.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, and one recovered fumble. Eastern Michigan was stout against the normally high-powered Bronco scoring unit, holding WMU to 299 total yards. The EMU defense took up residence in Western Michigan's backfield all game, collecting seven sacks.

CLOSE CONNECTIONS
Tight ends coach Chris Chestnut will square off against his alma mater Saturday when Eastern travels to Western. As a junior, Chestnut started all 11 games and was a two-year letterman for the Broncos. He capped his career, which included 30 catches for 412 yards, by earning a captain's role as a senior in 2003. Chestnut was also on staff at WMU, working with the tight ends (2021) and wide receivers (2022).
    On the flip side, WMU assistant head coach and running backs coach Darren Paige spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons mentoring wide receivers at EMU. In 2020 the wide receivers group accounted for 77 percent of the team's receptions (97-of-126) and 58 percent of the scores (7-of-12). EMU led the nation in red-zone offense and Hassan Beydoun was a Second-Team All-MAC selection. Eastern's offense was electric in 2019 en route to an appearance in the Quick Lane Bowl, amassing 5,271 total yards, 49 touchdowns, and 379 total points. Overall, the EMU offense set the program record for touchdowns in a season (49) and touchdown passes in a season (27).

CONTRASTING STATISTICS TELL THE STORY
In games EMU won, the team averaged 417.0 yards of total offense compared to 359.2 yards in losses. The biggest difference was rushing performance: in victories, EMU rushed for 166.6 yards per game with a 3.8-yard average per carry, while in losses, the team managed just 111.0 yards per game at 3.0 yards per carry. Defensively, EMU held opponents to 340.6 yards and 132.2 rushing yards in wins but allowed 424.3 yards and 177.2 rushing yards in losses. Turnovers also play a key role, as EMU has given up just one interception in victories but eight in defeats.
    At home, EMU's offense averaged 405.7 yards per game, slightly outpacing the 361.2 yards it posted on the road. Passing efficiency was higher at home, with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions compared to five touchdowns and three interceptions on the road. On defense, home games saw EMU allow 364.5 yards per game compared to 412.4 yards on the road. Individually, Delbert Mimms III averaged 74.8 rushing yards in wins and only 50.7 in losses, while Markus Allen was more productive at home, averaging 75.2 receiving yards compared to 43.2 on the road.

GET A GRIP
The game between the Eagles and Broncos matches two of the teams in the nation when it comes to recovering fumbles by its opponents as Western has recovered 11, which ranks third nationally, and the Eagles have grabbed 10, which is tied for ninth. Additionally, both teams rank highly when it comes to turnovers gained with Western tied for 40th at 17 (11 fumbles, six interceptions) and Eastern tied for 57th (10 FR, 5 INT).

LOOKING TO STOP THE SKID
During Eastern Michigan's 5-2 start, the team excelled in offensive balance, averaging 367.8 total yards per game (151.6 rushing, 216.2 passing) while limiting opponents to 365.8 yards. The rushing attack was particularly effective, with Delbert Mimms III contributing 62.8 yards per game at 4.6 yards per carry. Cole Snyder avoided turnovers, throwing six touchdowns without an interception. Defensively, EMU allowed just 113.8 rushing yards per game and created key turnovers, including two interceptions and six fumble recoveries.
    In contrast, during the current four-game losing streak, EMU's production has dipped, particularly in rushing, where the team averages only 123.5 yards per game compared to opponents' 192.5. Snyder's efficiency has declined, with nine interceptions thrown over the skid. Markus Allen and Terry Lockett have been bright spots, averaging over 70 receiving yards per game, but the defense has allowed 403.3 total yards per game, including 5.4 yards per opponent rush. Turnovers and red zone inefficiency have further compounded the challenges, leading to a significant scoring disparity (EMU: 131, Opponents: 198).

TOP DAWG IN THE FBS
Linebacker James 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.
    For his efforts he was named the MAC's Co-Defensive Players of the Week for the second time this season.

Most tackles in an EMU Single-Game since 1998
29, Blake McCall; Ohio; Oct 16, 1999 (19-10)
23, Chase Kline; Akron; Nov 14, 2023 (3-16)
22, James Djonkam; Buffalo; Nov 20, 2024 (8-14)
22, Joe Sparacio; Western Mich.; Oct 28, 2023 (6-17)
21, Great Ibe; Massachusetts; Nov 14, 2015 (9-12)
21, Great Ibe; at Massachusetts; Oct 18, 2014 (4-17)
21, Chase Kline; Western Mich.; Oct 28, 2023 (3-16)
21, Kenny Philpot; Ball State; Oct 13, 2001 (3-18)

FBS Single Game Tackle Leaders in 2024 (as of 11-24)
22 - James Djonkam, Eastern Mich. vs. Buffalo
20 - Isaac Smith, Mississippi St. vs. Tennessee
20 - Colin Ramos, Navy vs. Memphis
19 - Red Murdock, Buffalo vs. Ball St.
19 - Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma vs. Missouri
19 - JoJo Evans, FIU vs. UTEP
19 - Shaun Dolac, Buffalo vs. NIU
19 - Fred Perry, Jacksonville St. at Eastern Mich.

MIDWEEK MAGIC
Since taking over at EMU and excluding the 2020 COVID season when all games were played mid-week, Chris Creighton's Eagles have played in 21 #MACtion games and sport a 13-8 record in those contests, including winning five of the last eight.

TOPPING THE CHARTS: MAC WINS
With the win over CMU, Chris Creighton collected his 33rd MAC victory since taking over at Eastern ahead of the 2014 season. With Jim Harkema on hand as the team's honorary coach, Creighton took the top spot after being tied with Harkema for the most in EMU history.

SINGLE SCORES
Since the start of the 2016 season, Eastern ranks second nationally with 56 one-score games played, sitting behind only Northern Illinois (60). Additionally, only two teams in the top 10 of the national list are at .500 or better in such games, including EMU (28-28) at .500 and Oklahoma State (31-19) at .620.

1. Northern Illinois - 60 (28-32)
2. Eastern Michigan - 56 (28-28)
3. Texas - 55 (25-30)
T4. Iowa State - 52 (21-31)
T4. Nebraska - 52 (15-37)
6. North Carolina - 51 (22-29)
T7. Oklahoma State - 50 (31-19)
T7. Kansas State - 49 (24-25)
9. Tulsa - 49 (22-27)

OPE... GONNA SNYD RIGHT PASS YOU
Cole Snyder has turned in a strong campaign at quarterback in his lone season with the Eagles and still has time to add to his totals. Through 11 games played, Snyder has accumulated 2,889 total yards passing, which ranks seventh on the program's single-season ledger and leaves him 111 yards shy of becoming just the fifth different EMU player to reach 3,000 yards in a single season. Should he reach the 3K mark, he would become the first Eagle to do so since Ben Bryant in 2021 (3,078).
    Snyder has tallied 2,593 yards on 233-of-380 passing with 15 touchdowns through the air while adding 296 yards rushing and four scores. Heading into the game at Western Michigan, his 233 completions rank eighth all time and, should he connect on his season average of 21 completions, he would become just the fourth player to complete 250+ passes in a single season. Additionally, he is just 20 pass attempts from becoming the ninth player to attempt 400+ passes in a single season.

GOING DEEP
Heading into the season, the program had recorded 12 pass plays that covered 76 yards or more with eight going for touchdowns. In 2024, Eastern has added three to the ledger, including Cole Snyder's 78-yard touchdown pass to Markus Allen against Buffalo, Nov. 20. The pass, which ties for the 10th-longest in program history, was the second added to the list by Cole, who connected with Terry Lockett Jr. for a 79-yard completion at Akron (Oct. 26). Earlier this year against St. Francis (Sept. 21), Jeremiah Salem hit Zyell Griffin for an 89-yard touchdown pass to tie for the longest pass play in program history while setting the mark for longest touchdown pass, surpassing three, 80-yard scoring strikes.

ONE COLE CUSTOMER
In the game at Akron, Oct. 26, Cole Snyder had a career day as the quarterback was 29-of-48 passing for 354 yards and two touchdowns. The 29 completions tied for the most he has recorded in a single game in his career after doing so twice with Buffalo, while the 354 yards are the most he has thrown for in his career. Last week against Buffalo (Nov. 20), Snyder was three-yards shy of tying his career high as he finished 24-of-33 passing for 351 yards and three scores. Along with the 300 yard game he had against Central Michigan (Oct. 19), Snyder has recorded three games with 300+ yards passing in his career, all with the Eagles.

SPREADING IT AROUND
Through 11 games, Cole Snyder has not been shy about throwing to different receivers as 17 different Eagles have pulled in at least one catch, including four that have 25+ receptions. Against Ohio, Nov. 13, Snyder dished passes to nine different receivers, which tied for the most in a single game this season with the nine he connected with against Toledo, Nov. 2, and Miami, Oct. 12. All told, five or more players have caught at least one pass in all 10 games this season with eight games seeing eight or nine players with at least one catch, including the game with Buffalo, Nov. 20 (eight receivers).

SPREADING IT AROUND SOME MORE
Of the 17 players to catch at least one pass from Cole Snyder, seven have caught at least one touchdown from Snyder as well with five Eagles having secured at least two scores. Terry Lockett Jr. leads the team with five touchdowns and Markus Allen has added three while Oran Singleton, Max Reese, and Jere Getzinger each have caught two scores.

GOING TO THE AIR
Despite connecting with numerous receivers this year, three have stood out. Terry Lockett Jr. leads the team with 651 yards and five touchdowns while Markus Allen sits second with three scores and 592 yards after each recorded their second 100-yard games of the season against Buffalo, Nov. 20. Oran Singleton is also in the mix as he leads the team with 64 receptions and 639 yards while pulling in two scores. The last time two receivers finished the year with 500+ yards was 2021 when Hassan Beydoun tallied 1,015 yards and Dylan Drummond posted 704.

DYNAMIC DUO
Ahead of the season, the last time the Eagles had a pair of receivers pull in 100+ yards in the same game came Nov. 29, 2019, when Arthur Jackson and Line Latu collected 129 yards and 108 yards, respectively, at home against Kent State. Following the Buffalo game (Nov. 20), Markus Allen and Terry Lockett Jr. both recorded 100 yards in the same game for the second time this year after finishing with 187 yards and 122 yards, respectively. The duo first accomplished the feat Oct. 19 when Allen tallied 140 yards and Lockett Jr. hit 100 against Central Michigan, Oct. 19.

CENTURY MARKERS
The 2024 season marks just the ninth time in program history that five or more 100+ yard receiving games have been recorded and the first since the 2008 season (16 years ago). The trio of Markus Allen (twice), Terry Lockett Jr. (twice) and Oran Singleton (once) have tied for the fourth-most 100-yard receiving games in a single season at EMU, joining the 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, and 2008 teams on the ledger. The most came in 2002 when Kevin Walter recorded seven games and C.R. Roberson added one. Additionally, six 100-yard games were recorded twice, including 1995 (Steve Clay with four and one each from Bristol Green and Savon Edwards) and 2004 (Eric Deslauriers with six).

LOCKETT IN
Terry Lockett Jr. has become a valuable target for the Eagles as he has turned few receptions into big yards. In the game with Toledo, Nov. 2, he pulled in 55 yards on four catches to mark the fifth game this year in which he has recorded four or fewer receptions but managed 40 yards or more. For the season, he is second on the team in receptions with 45, but leads the way in yards with 651 thanks in part to his second 100-yard game of the season (122 vs. Buffalo).

ON HIS MARK-US
In the game with Buffalo, Markus Allen secured 187 yards receiving to set a career high and post the 13th-highest single-game total in program history. Allen, who recorded one touchdown as well, also ranks fourth in the MAC for single-game yardage while his 592 total receiving yards have him 13th in the MAC as well.
    The 100-yard game against the Bulls was his second of the year after securing 140 yards through the air against Central Michigan, Oct. 19, with 105 coming in the first quarter. Those 105 yards in the first quarter marked the first time an EMU player hit the mark in a single quarter of play since Dieuly Aristilde posted 109 receiving yards in the fourth quarter against Miami, Oct. 29, 2016.

GETTING SINGLE(TON)-ED OUT
Oran Singleton has been reliable through the air in 2024 as the speedy wideout leads the team with 64 receptions, is second in yards at 639, and third in receiving touchdowns with two. As it stands, Singleton is tied for ninth on the single season ledger with Dylan Drummond (2021) for catches and is six receptions away from 70. Should he reach that milestone, he would become just the eighth EMU receiver with 70+ catches in a season and the first since Hassan Beydoun pulled in a school-record 97 in 2021.

MAKE WAY FOR MIMMS
Delbert Mimms III has been a workhorse for the Eagles as he has accumulated 678 yards on 166 carries with seven touchdowns on the ground while adding 17 receptions for 129 yards and one score through the air. The eight touchdowns he has recorded leave him two shy of recording double-digit touchdowns in a single season and just the 14th EMU player to do so. Overall, the eight total touchdowns Mimms has scored for the Eagles match his total scoring output in three years at NC State with all eight coming on the ground in the 13-game 2023 season.

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT(S)
In 2023, the Eagles played 13 games and scored 254 total points. Through 11 games this year, Eastern has put up 293 points, which rank as the 10th-highest total through 11 games in program history. A big reason for the success has been the team's ability to stay on the field as the Eagles currently rank 38th nationally with 243 first downs, a total that leads the MAC. This time last year, the team produced just 196 first downs and ranked 120th nationally.

GETTING HIS KICKS
Jesús Gómez currently remains among the top kickers in the nation as he ranks tied for ninth nationally with 1.9 field goals made per game and 55th in scoring with 7.5 points per game. His 83 total points scored also ranks 48th nationally and second in the MAC.

KICKING IT IN
Jesús Gómez has made 19 field goals in 2024 after making 12 throughout the entire 2023 season and two more than his previous season-high of 13 in 2022. He has connected on three field goals in the same game five times this year (six times in his career). All told, he has kicked 45 field goals in his career, which ranks third in EMU history.

IN THE RECORD BOOKS
For his career, Jesús Gómez has connected on 94 extra points and 45 field goals for 229 points. His 45 made field goals have him ranked third all-time in program history with Chad Ryland next on the list with 56 (2018-21) while his 94 made PATs have him fourth all-time. Overall, his 229 points rank him fifth all-time in program history with Justin Ventura (1995-98) next on the list at 239 points.

MOVING BACK
Kicking numbers are up this year with distances on the rise. Through seven weeks of play, Jesús Gómez holds one of 19 made field goals of 57-yards or longer, which is already 13 makes ahead of the entire 2023 season. Additionally, there have been 38 field goals of 55+ made in 2024 after just 21 were made in 2023. Gomez's longest of the year still stands at 57 yards (at Washington, Sept. 7, which ranks him tied for 12th by distance.

MITCH MOVING UP
Mitchell Tomasek has punted 44 times for 1,867 yards in 2024 with 12 of those punts (27.3 percent) traveling 50+ yards, including a long of 66 yards and a pair that went 65 yards. For his career, Tomasek has punted 159 times and accumulated 7,052 yards, which ranks him ninth all-time in program history.

BETTER THAN AVERAGE
Mitchell Tomasek has averaged 44.4 yards per punt throughout his career, which leads him 0.4 yards per kick ahead of Jake Julien (2017-21) for the best career average in Eastern history. Tomasek is currently averaging 42.4 yards per punt this season. Additionally, Tomasek's 44.4 career per punt average ranks 12th among all active FBS punters while his 7,052 career yards ranks 31st among active kickers in the division.

NEW BEAMER BALL?
During the 1990s, Virginia Tech blocked 66 kicks, more than any school in the country. Beamer Ball became a frightening proposition for opponents. Since 2014, special teams under Chris Creighton have been using that blueprint with 26 during that span.
    EMU added to that total at Ohio, Nov. 13, with Joey Zelinsky getting his hand on a 31-yard field goal attempt by the Bobcats to post the fourth block of the season. Eastern has found different ways to block kicks as it has also blocked two punts and one extra point. All told, EMU has 14 blocked punts in the last 11 years and six that have resulted in a TD.
    As a team, the Eagles are tied with TCU for sixth nationally with four blocks while Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Notre Dame, and UNLV lead the way with five. EMU is tied for third in blocked punts (two) with UNLV (5) and Indiana (3) ahead of the Eagles.

MORE ON REJECTIONS
Since 2016, no Mid-American Conference school has recorded more kick/punt blocks than Eastern Michigan. The Eagles have tallied 20, while Miami (18), Northern Illinois (17), and Buffalo (12) follows closely. EMU's total ranks tied for sixth nationally during that span, trailing just Army (29), Notre Dame (22), Old Dominion (21), Oklahoma State (21), and South Carolina (21).

DON'T GO FOR IT
Ben Needham's defense ranks fourth in the nation in fourth down conversion percentage defense at just 30.0 percent (6-for-20). Indiana (29.0), Kansas State (29.2) and UTSA (29.2) are just ahead of the Eagles, who are tied for fourth with Tennessee. The next best team in the MAC is Ohio, who is 36th nationally at 47.1 percent.
    Third downs have not been a gimme either, as EMU ranks 48th in the FBS with just 36.1 percent of opponent tries converted into first downs.

LOOSE BALL SECURED
The Eastern defense has recovered 10 fumbles this year. Since the start of the 2014 season, Chris Creighton's defenses have secured at total of 104 fumble recoveries for an average of 9.45 per season with the most recorded in one season being the 13 collected in 2016. The team recovered 11 in 2023, the most for Eastern since 10 in 2019, which was the last of a four-year stretch with at least 10 recoveries.

BALL HAWKS
Not only have the Eagles taken the ball 10 times with fumble recoveries, they have done so with 10 different players collecting one recovery each. Through the game against Toledo (Nov. 2), the Eagles that have recorded fumbles recoveries include David Carter Jr., Justin Jefferson, JT Killen, Barry Manning, Tyrell Martin, Luke Murphy, Dylan Shelton, Jordan Toney, Daniel Warnsman, and Joey Zelinsky. Martin is the new addition to the list following his first quarter recovery against Toledo.

A GIVE AND TAKE(AWAY)
During his time guiding the Eagles, Chris Creighton's teams have won the turnover battle 57 times, lost it 46 times, and saw the game end with takeaways tied 27 times. Since the start of the 2014 season, Eastern is 42-15 when winning the turnover battle, 6-41 when losing the battle, and 11-16 when the battle is tied.

PLAYING 18 (DOWN)
After clawing its way to a 16-14 lead at halftime against Central Michigan, Oct. 19, the Eagles found themselves trailing by 18 points, 34-16, with 13:26 to play in the fourth quarter. A gritty performance on both sides of the ball, fueled by a boisterous crowd, saw Eastern score three touchdowns and hold the Chippewas scoreless to claim a 38-34 win.
    The last time Eastern came back to win after such a deficit was Nov. 11, 2000, at home against Northern Illinois. Similar to the CMU game, the Eagles trailed NIU, 32-12, with 12:14 remaining before scoring three touchdowns to tie the game at 32 with 2:58 remaining. EMU won the game by forcing a Husky punt before marching 59 yards in 56 seconds for a Walter Church to Kevin Walter 25-yard touchdown pass for the win. Eastern nearly made it back-to-back games with wins after trailing by 18, but fell short at Akron, Oct. 26.

Deficit    Final    Opponent    Date
24 (24-0)    W, 30-27    Central Michigan    11-6-76
21 (28-7)    W, 48-38 OT    at Ball State     10-16-10
21 (21-0)    W, 48-41    at Ball State    11-8-16
21 (31-10)    L, 34-37 OT    at Toledo    10-26-19
20 (32-12)    W, 39-32    Northern Illinois    11-11-00
18 (34-16)    W, 38-34    Central Michigan    10-19-24
18 (18-0)    L, 21-25    at Akron    10-26-24

NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS UNDER CREIGHTON
Since the start of the 1976 season, Eastern Michigan has won 55 games in non-conference play with 43.6 percent of those victories (24 wins) coming in the past 11 seasons under Chris Creighton, an average of two non-conference wins per season.
    In that same span, 14 of those wins have come on the road with a Creighton-led squad capturing nine wins (64.3 percent), including wins at Big Ten Conference opponents Rutgers (16-13, Sept. 9, 2017), Purdue (20-19, Sept. 8, 2018), and Illinois (34-31, Sept. 14, 2019), while adding a 30-21 win at Arizona State (Sept. 17, 2022), a then-member of the Pac-12 (currently Big 12).

ON THE HORIZON
The outcome of the game at Western Michigan will determine the next game for the Eagles. With a win, Eastern would become bowl eligible and await bowl announcements that will be released Dec. 8.

Michigan MAC Trophy and Bowl Eligibility at Stake Saturday, Nov. 30, in Kalamazoo

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Markus Allen

Blake Bustard

David Carter Jr.

Blake Daniels

James Djonkam

Samson Evans

Jere Getzinger

Zyell Griffin

Jaylon Jackson

Justin Jefferson

Chase Kline

Trey Laing

Terry Lockett Jr.

Barry Manning

Tyrell Martin

Delbert Mimms III

Luke Murphy

Peyton Price

Max Reese

Jeremiah Salem

Dylan Shelton

Oran Singleton

Austin Smith

Isaac Smith

Cole Snyder

Joe Sparacio

Mitchell Tomasek

Jordan Toney

Daniel Warnsman

Joey Zelinsky

Eastern Michigan Athletics