Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Football's Cole Gardner to Play in the Tropical Bowl
1/9/2017 11:08:00 AM | Football
Offensive lineman to play Sunday, Jan. 15, at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium
More Information.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University redshirt senior offensive lineman Cole Gardner (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia) will participate in the 2017 Tropical Bowl, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 15, at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla. Kickoff is set for 9 a.m., and the All-Mid-American Conference selection will play for the National Team.
Gardner was the starting left tackle on one of the best offensive line units not only in the MAC, but in the country. Gardner started all 13 games protecting the blind side for EMU this season. The converted tight end finished his career playing in 48 career games, making 32 career starts. The EMU frontline combined to allow the ninth-fewest sacks in the nation, as well as the second fewest tackles for a loss.
The 2016 EMU football team tied the Football Bowl Subdivision mark for biggest turnarounds, improving on its win total from one win in 2015, to seven this season. As an offense, EMU ranked 35th in the FBS in total offense, posting 455.2 yards per game in 13 contests. The team also shattered the school record for total offense with 5,917 yards, breaking the previous record of 5,010. Other notable offensive highlights for the Eagles this past season include ranking 16th nationally in third down conversions, 18th in passing offense, 21st in red zone offense, and 25th in first down offense.
Coaching the National Team will be former Eastern Michigan Head Coach Mike Stock, who led the then-Hurons from 1978-82. Stock was named the NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year in 1997 and was the runner up for the award in 2007. The America Team will be led by experienced FBS coach Todd Littlejohn who has coached for the University of New Mexico and the University of California.
This is the second year for the Tropical Bowl, which was played in Miami last year.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University redshirt senior offensive lineman Cole Gardner (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia) will participate in the 2017 Tropical Bowl, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 15, at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla. Kickoff is set for 9 a.m., and the All-Mid-American Conference selection will play for the National Team.
Gardner was the starting left tackle on one of the best offensive line units not only in the MAC, but in the country. Gardner started all 13 games protecting the blind side for EMU this season. The converted tight end finished his career playing in 48 career games, making 32 career starts. The EMU frontline combined to allow the ninth-fewest sacks in the nation, as well as the second fewest tackles for a loss.
The 2016 EMU football team tied the Football Bowl Subdivision mark for biggest turnarounds, improving on its win total from one win in 2015, to seven this season. As an offense, EMU ranked 35th in the FBS in total offense, posting 455.2 yards per game in 13 contests. The team also shattered the school record for total offense with 5,917 yards, breaking the previous record of 5,010. Other notable offensive highlights for the Eagles this past season include ranking 16th nationally in third down conversions, 18th in passing offense, 21st in red zone offense, and 25th in first down offense.
Coaching the National Team will be former Eastern Michigan Head Coach Mike Stock, who led the then-Hurons from 1978-82. Stock was named the NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year in 1997 and was the runner up for the award in 2007. The America Team will be led by experienced FBS coach Todd Littlejohn who has coached for the University of New Mexico and the University of California.
This is the second year for the Tropical Bowl, which was played in Miami last year.
Players Mentioned
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