Football Set to Meet Nationally Ranked WMU on ASN

Football at No. 20/20 Western Michigan
Date	Saturday, Oct. 22 \| 3:30 p.m.
Venue	Kalamazoo, Mich. \| Waldo Stadium (30,200)
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Press Conference Video \| Teleconference Audio.
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	American Sports Network
Listen	WEMU (89.1 FM) \| TuneIn Radio
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Tickets	Order Tickets Online or call 734.487.2282 \| Clear Bag Policy

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team, fresh off its third straight road victory for the first time since 1967, remains on the road Saturday, Oct. 22, for an in-state showdown with No. 20/20 Western Michigan University. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Waldo Stadium.
   The Eagles enter the league affair with a 5-2 (2-1 MAC) record and are seeking to become bowl eligible following a 27-20 road victory at Ohio University, Oct. 15. Meanwhile, the Broncos (7-0, 3-0 MAC) are off to their best start since 1941 after a 41-0 shutout of the University of Akron, Oct. 15.
    The contest will be televised in 84 different television markets by the American Sports Network with Mike Gleason providing the play-by-play and Brad Jackson serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick calling the action on the field.

BIGGEST TURNAROUNDS: Seven games into the 2016 season, Eastern Michigan has improved on its 2015-win total by four games, from one win to five. This leads the FBS for the largest turnarounds from 2015 to 2016.

CAREER DAY FOR ROBACK LEADS TO CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS: Redshirt junior Brogan Roback had a career day against Ohio, Oct. 15, passing for a career-best 347 yards on a record 29 completions and three touchdowns, all coming in the second half. It was the fifth three-touchdown performance of his career, and the second of the season. It was the second 300+ yard passing game of Roback's career and it was tied for the 26th best single-game passing performance in program history.
   For his efforts, he was named the MAC West Division's Co-Offensive Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 15. It marked the first weekly award of his career and the fifth league accolade by an Eagle this season.

BEST START SINCE 1995: With the 27-20 victory at Ohio, the Eagles moved to 5-2 on the season and are off to their best start since the 1995 campaign.

APPROACHING BOWL ELIGIBILITY: If the Eagles get their sixth win, this would mark the first time since 1995 that the team was bowl eligible. EMU has not played in a bowl game since 1987 when it won the California Bowl with a 30-27 win over San Jose State. It would also snap the second-longest bowl drought in the FBS ranks, as New Mexico State has not been to a bowl since 1960.

WITH A WIN OVER THE BRONCOS: Should the Eagles defeat the Broncos, they would move to 6-2 overall on the year. This would mark the program's best start since the 1989 season when the team raced out to a 6-1-1 record through eight games.

ROAD VICTORIES: With the victory at Ohio, the Green and White picked up their third consecutive road victory for the first time since 1967. That year, EMU defeated Eastern Illinois, Case Western, and Ferris State on the road. Eastern will next attempt to win its fourth consecutive road game, which has not occurred since 1955 when the team bested Baldwin-Wallace, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, and Northern Illinois.

BUMPING UP THE WINS: With five wins this season, the Eagles have produced as many wins as the previous three years combined. Last year, EMU won one game, while the squad won two apiece in the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

EMU AGAINST TOP-25 OPPONENTS: The Eagles will be looking for their first victory over a ranked opponent when they square off with No. 20/20 Western Michigan. The Eagles are 0-14 all-time against teams ranked in the top 25. Eastern has faced three ranked MAC teams all-time, as Northern Illinois was ranked in 2012 and 2013, while Toledo was ranked last season.

BATTLE FOR THE MICHIGAN MAC TROPHY: Saturday begins the Eagles' chase for the Michigan MAC Trophy, which is given to the Michigan MAC university that defeats the other two schools in the same sport in the same regular season. In the event that no school defeats its other two rivals during the regular season, the Michigan MAC Trophy will remain with the winning school until one of the other rivals claims the title.
   Created in 2005 by the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, the Broncos currently hold the trophy, while the Eagles have held it in 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2012.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE BRONCOS: The Eagles and Broncos renew their rivalry this weekend when the two in-state foes face off for the 52nd time, with the first meeting coming back in 1906. The two teams have faced off every year since 1978. WMU holds the all-time series lead, 31-18-2. The Eagles were last victorious in 2013 with a 35-32 overtime win. EMU's last win in Kalamazoo came in 2012, a 29-23 triumph.

POC'S PRESENCE: In the game against Ohio, Oct. 15, redshirt senior Pat O'Connor continued his stellar senior season, as he had a strip sack which resulted in a turnover. With that sack, O'Connor's tally grew to 5.5 this season and 17 for his career, which places him just a half sack behind the all-time program leader since 1998. Former Eagle Kevin Howe set the record with 17.5 from 2003-06.
   His 5.5 sacks rank 37th in the nation and fourth in the MAC, while his 9.5 tackles for loss are 29th in the country and second in the MAC.

BIG DAY FROM BAILEY II: Junior Sergio Bailey II had his best day as an Eagle against Ohio, Oct. 15, amassing a career-best 143 receiving yards on eight receptions, in addition to a big touchdown catch. His performance marked the first time this season that an Eagle topped 100 yards receiving, and the first since Eddie Daugherty accomplished the feat last season. Bailey II's 143 yards marks the highest for an EMU receiver since Dustin Creel had 152 against Ball State, Nov. 22, 2014. He also jumped to 34th in the EMU record books when it comes to single game receiving yards. As EMU's leading receiver, Bailey II's 472 yards rank him 50th in the nation and 10th in the MAC.

SPREADING THE LOVE: Through seven games, Eastern Michigan has totaled 1,895 yards through the air, however only one of EMU's receivers have recorded a 100-yard receiving game, as Sergio Bailey II accomplished the feat against Ohio, Oct. 15. In that game, a whopping 10 Eagles caught passes, with Bailey II leading the way at eight receptions. 15 different receivers have caught passes for EMU this season.

ROBACK RISING: With his career-high 347 yards passing against Ohio, Oct. 15, redshirt junior Brogan Roback recorded the second 300+ yard passing effort of career. With 3,809 yards passing in his career, Roback now ranks seventh all-time in passing in EMU history. Additionally, the Maumee, Ohio native moved into seventh on the career touchdown passes list with 27.

VICTORY IN ATHENS: With the win against Ohio, Oct. 15, the Eagles picked up their first road victory against Ohio since 1994. It was also just the fifth time that EMU has defeated the Bobcats in Athens.

PACE WITH THE PICK: Senior DaQuan Pace had a solid game against the Ohio Bobcats, Oct. 15, picking up a clutch interception in the second quarter to halt an Ohio drive. The INT was his first of the season and the second of his career. He also had another pass breakup to increase his career total to 23, which is the EMU record for breakups since 1998.

ESSENCE OF FRICANO: Redshirt freshman Paul Fricano remains perfect on the season for PATs, going 27-for-27, which is second-most in the MAC. The first year kicker is also 10-of-13 in field goals, which ranks him 42nd in the nation in field goal percentage (3rd MAC), as well as 27th in field goals per game (3rd MAC).

NEW RECEIVERS THRIVING: So far this season, EMU's four leading receivers are all newcomers. A trio of JUCO receivers have found success donning the Green and White, as juniors Sergio Bailey II, Antonie Porter, and Johnnie Niupalau have totaled 472, 322, and 222 receiving yards respectively on the season. Additionally, redshirt freshman Nigel Kilby has been stellar at the tight end position, as he currently has the third-most receiving yards so far this year with 275. The foursome has also combined to catch 12 of the 14 touchdown passes on the season.

OFFENSIVE LINE SHINES: The EMU offensive line had a tough task going against Ohio, as the Bobcats had the most sacks in the country per game, averaging four per contest. The Eagles held Ohio to just one sack on the day, and a total of just three tackles for loss. On the season, EMU is eighth in the nation (1st MAC) in fewest sacks allowed, while they are also third in the FBS (1st MAC) in tackles for loss allowed behind only Ohio State and Missouri.

SECOND HALF OFFENSIVE TURNAROUND: The EMU offense opened the contest against Ohio with a quick 12 play, 77-yard drive to put three points on the board. However, the offense then could not find a rhythm for the remainder of the half, going three-and-out four of the next six drives with a turnover and missed field goal. Following the half, the Eagles were able to make some crucial adjustments, and went on to score on all four of its second half drives, totaling 24 points. The successful drives were bolstered by EMU going 6-for-8 on third downs in the second half alone.

WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE: So far this season, the Eagles have found success in games in which the squad has won the turnover battle. Eastern won the turnover battle against Ohio, Oct. 15, as the Eagles forced two turnovers, while Ohio only managed one. In total, Eastern holds a 14-12 TO advantage with a safety, five interceptions, and eight fumble recoveries. Not only is the squad getting the ball back, but it is taking advantage of it and putting points on the board. EMU has turned its 14 turnovers into 44 points, including seven touchdowns.

FOCUSING ON THE FUMBLES: EMU's eight fumble recoveries this season rank them sixth in the country and tops in the MAC. Individually, redshirt senior Pat O'Connor leads the team with three of the forced fumbles, which is good for 16th in the nation and second in the MAC.

NEW EAGLES SEE ACTION: A pair of Eagles made their debuts in the team's victory over Ohio, Oct. 15. Both freshman Willie Parker and redshirt freshman Dieuly Aristilde donned the Green and White for the first time in Athens. So far this year, 35 newcomers have seen the field for EMU.

EAGLES IN TIGHT GAMES: Eastern has emerged victorious in all three games decided by seven points or less this season. The Eagles bested Wyoming, 27-24, Bowling Green, 28-25, and Ohio by a final tally of 27-20.

BOMBS AWAY BARNES: Redshirt junior Austin Barnes continues to have a great season punting the ball. Barnes booted four punts in the Oct. 15 game at Ohio, averaging 43.0 yards per punt, and a long of 56. He also pinned OU inside the 20 three times, including twice inside the 10. His season-best average came two weeks before at Bowling Green, where he averaged 50.0 yards per punt and a long of 56 yards. His season average of 46.4 is ranked eighth in the country and second in the MAC. The redshirt junior punter holds a career average of 43.0 yards, which is second all-time in EMU history, while his 6,455 total yards ranks seventh all-time.

EFFICIENT IN THE RED ZONE: Both sides of the ball have got it done this season within the 20 yard lines. The offense has scored on 91.2 percent of its red zone opportunities, which is 23rd in the nation and third in the MAC, while the defense has only allowed scores on 80.8 percent of red zone possessions, good for 56th in the nation and fifth in the conference.

THE DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: In its first season under new defensive coordinator Neal Neathery and his 4-2-5 scheme, Eastern Michigan has seen remarkable improvement in its overall defense. Through seven games this season, EMU has allowed just 2,855 total yards (407.9 per game). Last season, the Eagles had allowed 3,583 yards through six games (511.8 per game). EMU's defense ranks 69th in the country and seventh in the MAC. Additionally, the top-three total defensive performances of Creighton's tenure have all come in 2016.

OFFENSE KEEPS CHURNING: The Eagles' offense, meanwhile, is picking up where it left off from last season. The unit is ranked 52nd in the country, fourth in the MAC, averaging 427.1 yards per game, while they are 55th in scoring, fifth in the MAC, averaging 31.6 points a game. So far this season, EMU has put up three of the top-10 total yards' performances in Chris Creighton's tenure.

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern Michigan returns home to host Miami University Saturday, Oct. 29, at Rynearson Stadium. The contest is Band and Hall of Fame Day an will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. The E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2016 includes: Steve Brown (wrestling), Lional Dalton (football), Connie Miner (softball coach), Fabian Rollins (men's track & field) and Greg Ryan (baseball). In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, the E-Club will present Robin Baun with the Ron Oestrike Distinguished Service Award.
   This year's class will mark the 41st anniversary of the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame. For questions please call the Office for Alumni Relations at 734.487.0250.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Dieuly Aristilde Jr.

Sergio Bailey II

Austin Barnes

Dustin Creel

Eddie Daugherty IV

Paulie Fricano

Nigel Kilby

Johnnie Niupalau

Pat O'Connor

DaQuan Pace

Willie Parker

Brogan Roback

Eastern Michigan Athletics