EMU Travels to NIU Thursday, Oct. 26, to Kickoff #MACtion

Football at Northern Illinois
Date	Thursday, Oct. 26 \| 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT)
Venue	DeKalb, Ill. \| Huskie Stadium (24,000)
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Press Conference Video. \| Teleconference Audio.
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	CBS Sports Network
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| TuneIn Radio
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics

DEKALB, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team begins play in the phenomenon known as "MACtion" when it travels to DeKalb, Ill. for a midweek showdown with Mid-American Conference West Division foe Northern Illinois University Thursday, Oct. 26, at Huskie Stadium.
The Eagles (2-5, 0-3 MAC) look to get back on track after dropping their last five contests by a combined 20 points, after falling to Western Michigan University, 20-17, in overtime, Oct. 21. Meanwhile, the Huskies (5-2, 3-0 MAC) have won three consecutive games, most recently dispatching Bowling Green State University, 48-17, Oct. 21.
The contest will be nationally televised by CBS Sports Network with Ben Holden providing play-by-play, David Diehl serving as the analyst, and John Schriffen reporting from the sideline. WEMU (89.1 FM) will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard, Rob Rubick, and Chad Bush calling the action on the field.

DEFENSE VS. DEFENSE: Thursday's game pits the Mid-American Conference's top two statistical defenses against each other. The Huskies lead the conference with just 16.7 points per game given up, while the Eagles are allowing 19.9 ppg. Furthermore, Northern Illinois has limited opponents to just 293.4 yards per game with Eastern second at 350.9.
Each side has experienced a vast improvement from last season in scoring defense, combining for a 23.5 ppg improvement (EMU 9.9, NIU 13.6) from the 2016 campaign.

WEEKS GET SHORTER: From here out, EMU players and coaches will have 5, 7, 6, 7 and 5 days, respectively, to prepare for game days.

NO CONSOLATION: For just the second time since joining the MAC in 1976, EMU has played six consecutive one possession games. The current team is 1-5 in those contests decided by just 23 points. The 1993 squad weathered through seven-straight heart-stopping weekends with a 4-3 mark decided by a total of 31 points.
Since 1976, EMU has eight seasons with five-or-more games decided by a single possession. The 1993 club bears the standard of eight games, while the 1984, 2006, 2011, and 2016 seasons all featured seven games with outcomes of eight points-or-less.

THE RETURN OF #MACTION: EMU's clash with Western Michigan, Oct. 21, was the last regular season Saturday game of the year for the Green and White as it turns its attention to midweek conference games, known as #MACtion. The Eagles' final five games will take place during the week, beginning with a trip to DeKalb, Ill. Thursday, Oct. 26, for a MAC West showdown with the Huskies of Northern Illinois.

COMING DOWN TO THE WIRE: In EMU's last 20 games, dating back to the start of the 2016 season, 14 of them have come down to final scores of just seven points or less. Of the 14 games, EMU has come away victorious in just under half of them (6-8).
In 2017, six of EMU's seven games have been of the one-score variety, with EMU winning just one (16-13 over Rutgers). Further complicating it, EMU's last five opponents have a combined .736 winning percentage with 28 wins.

OVERTIME STRIKES AGAIN: The 20-17 overtime loss to Western was the 12th overtime game in EMU history, and the second one this season. EMU fell to 5-7 all-time in extra time and 0-2 in 2017. It is just the second time in program history that the Eagles have played multiple OT games in a season, with the other instance coming during the 1998 campaign.

NO SOUP FOR YOU!: Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery's crew has proven to be very stingy in the fourth quarter, allowing just 2.4 points per game over the course of the final 15 minutes. Only Kentucky (TD), Toledo (FG), and Army (TD) have been able to hang points against the stout EMU attack.
Nationally, EMU ranks second in the fewest points given up in the fourth with Wisconsin leading the way at 2.0 ppg.

SUFFOCATING DEFENSE: Eastern Michigan's defense has not only been one of the best units in the conference, but also the country in almost every facet of the game. Heading into week eight, the Eagles rank in the top-50 nationally in eight major defensive categories:

INSIDE ROBACK'S TD TOSSES: During his time donning the Green and White, Brogan Roback has thrown 48 touchdown passes, the second-most in program history. For his career, Roback has tossed TD passes to 18 different receivers. Current teammate Sergio Bailey II has been his favorite target, hauling in 10 touchdown catches, while Dustin Creel and Antoine Porter have made six TD catches apiece.

ROLLING THE DICE MORE THAN KENNY ROGERS: Gambling on fourth down has become a regular occurrence for EMU football in the 2017 season. So far, Eastern has gone for it on fourth down 13 times, converting on eight of the plays. The 61.54% ratio ties what the Eagles ended with in the 2016 campaign. Both their attempts and conversions rank second in the MAC, while their conversion percentage ranks fourth. On the opposite side of the ball, the Eagles' 4th-down defense is tied for first in the MAC, as they've held opponents to only two successful attempts on six tries.

JUST @HUNNIDS: With four catches in Eastern's game against Western Michigan, senior wideout Sergio Bailey II eclipsed the 100-catch mark for his career. He is only the 14th player to haul in 100-or-more catches in EMU history, and currently ranks tied for 12th in EMU laurels with 101 receptions with Tom Parm and Tyreese Russell.
Furthermore, Bailey is one of just 30 players in the FBS to have an active streak of 20-more more consecutive games with a reception. Bailey has caught at least one pass in all 20 games during his EMU career, while Iowa State's Allen Lazard holds the national standard at 42.

HAULING IT IN: Antoine Porter put together a career day against Western Michigan, Oct. 21, registering 10 catches for 93 yards, both of which were career-highs. Porter is the first Eagle to record double digit receptions in a game since Dustin Creel did so against UMass, Nov. 14, 2015.

GOT EM!: Facing fourth-and-nine from its own 23-yard line, EMU lined up in punt formation after what looked like a three-and-out. Instead, the Eagles faked the punt and picked up 27-yards and a first down on the first rush of Kyle Rachwal's career. It was the first successful fake punt for EMU since Dominique Sherrer converted on fourth down against Buffalo, Nov. 20, 2010.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE HUSKIES: The Eagles and Huskies have met 47 times in their respective histories in a series that dates back to 1927. NIU holds a strong lead in the all-time tally, going 31-14-2, including winning the last nine contests. EMU's last win over the Huskies came in 2007, a 21-19 triumph in DeKalb.

LAST WIN VS NIU: Eastern's last win in the series came Sept. 15, 2007, by a 21-19 margin. In that game, Eastern Michigan overcame a 13-point deficit to post a 21-19 victory over Northern Illinois on the road. An EMU interception setup a Pierre Walker game-winning touchdown score with 5:29 left in the game. Then, with the outcome still very much in doubt, Eric Young stepped up to block Chris Nendick's 50-yard field goal attempt as time expired to seal the two-point EMU win.

SO, ABOUT THAT DEFENSE: This week's matchup contains a battle between two of the premier defenses in both the Mid-American Conference and the country. EMU and NIU hold the top-two ranks in the conference in total, scoring, and first down defense. Additionally, Eastern ranks first in the MAC in pass defense and fourth down situations, while Northern Illinois sits at the top of the conference in rushing defense, interceptions, sacks, and third down defense. There is only one defensive category in which either team does not hold a top position in the MAC, as NIU is tied for third and EMU sits tied for sixth in redzone defense.

TURNING THE OFFENSE UP A NOTCH: Despite the overtime loss, EMU saw season-best offensive numbers against Western Michigan, Oct. 21. In the game, EMU put up season-highs in total offense (461), passing yards, (308), and rushing yards (153).

ROBACK RISING: Senior quarterback Brogan Roback has put up standout numbers in his four seasons in the Green and White, placing him near the top of the EMU record books in four major categories. For his career, he ranks second in completions (665), passing touchdowns (48), and total offense (7,816) while ranking third in passing yards (7,580). Beyond just EMU, Roback is among the FBS leaders in active total offense and passing yards, ranking 16th among current players in passing yards, and 17th in total offense.

LOCKED IN ON D: Through seven games, EMU opponents have combined to score a total of just 139 points, for an average of 19.8 points per contest. On that current pace, EMU would finish with 238 points yielded on the year. It would be the fewest points given up in a season since 1991, when it gave up 232 in 11 games. Should EMU's defense finish with less than 264 points on the season, it would be the fewest allowed by an Eagle defense since moving to a 12-game regular season schedule in 2002.

BECK ON THE STOP: Senior Jason Beck, who transitioned from safety to linebacker this season, has racked up 316 tackles in his career, making him just the 16th EMU player to reach the 300-tackle milestone, and placing him 14th all-time at EMU. In terms of the national scale, Beck's 316 stops is ninth amongst active FBS players.

DYNAMIC DUO: The defensive end duo of Jeremiah Harris and Maxx Crosby have been the leaders of the high sack and tackle for loss movement thus far for the Eagles in 2017. On the season, Crosby is EMU's sack and TFL leader with 5.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss, respectively, including one TFL in each game. Meanwhile, Harris has chipped in 8.0 TFL's and 3.5 sacks. Crosby ranks fourth in the conference and 40th in the NCAA in sacks.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES: The Green and White have made a living feasting on the opposition behind the line of scrimmage this season. Through seven games, the Eagles have registered 44 tackles for loss and 17 sacks. In 2016, the Eagles totaled 60.0 tackles for loss and 21.0 sacks in 13 games. On its current pace of about six tackles for loss per game, EMU is set to rack up the most TFL's since 2001. Additionally, if Eastern is able to maintain its average of about 2.5 sacks per contest it would be the third-most in program history and most since 1999.

FORCED FUMBLE FIEND: For his career, Jeremiah Harris has totaled five forced fumbles. The five forced fumbles are currently good for 27th among active FBS players.

PAULIE RACKING UP THE POINTS: In just his second season as the primary place kicker for EMU, Paulie Fricano has racked up 136 career points, which is good for 12th on the all-time EMU scoring list. Former Eagle kicker Andrew Wellock is the program leader with 299 career points.

DEUCES WILD: In just his second season in the program senior wideout Sergio Bailey II sits 11th on the all-time receiving yardage list with 1,427, while he is also tied for 12th on the all-time receptions list (101) and tied for sixth on the career TD catches list (11).

ON THE HORIZON: The Eagles return home Thursday, Nov. 2, for a midweek MACtion contest against Ball State University. Kickoff between the Eagles and Cardinals at "The Factory" inside Rynearson Stadium is set for 6 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Sergio Bailey II

Jason Beck

Maxx Crosby

Paulie Fricano

Jeremiah Harris

Antoine Porter

Kyle Rachwal

Brogan Roback

Eastern Michigan Athletics