Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, November 15
Oxford, Ohio
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
4-7 , 2-5
27
at
24
Miami
4-7 , 3-4
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Eastern Michigan
7
6
14
0
27
Miami
0
17
0
7
24
Photo by: Michael Vasilnek
Eagles Hold Off RedHawks, 27-24, in Oxford
11/15/2017 11:17:00 PM | Football
It was EMU's first win over Miami in 10 tries
Postgame Audio: Creighton. Neathery. Crosby. McGill. Roback. Eriksen.
Video Highlights.
OXFORD, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team once again had a tight, one-possession game, but this time the Eagles (4-7, 2-5 MAC) flipped the script in a 27-24 win over Miami University Wednesday evening, Nov. 15, at Yager Stadium. It was the first win for EMU over the RedHawks (4-7, 3-4 MAC) since 1993, a span of 10 games.
Overall, it was the eighth game of the season that was within one score for the Eagles at the time of the final buzzer, and just the second win in such games this season. EMU's last one-score win was the 16-13 victory over Rutgers in the second game of the season, Sept. 9.
Eastern was stout in all facets of the game, out-gaining the RedHawks, 459-392, including 185 on the ground and 269 through the air. The two teams tied in turnovers, 2-2, but Eastern's defensive pressure proved to be a huge difference maker, as they had five tackles for loss, including four sacks, three of which came from sophomore Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage). He upped his team-best total to 11 on the season, tying the single-season school record set by Avery Brown back in 1996.
Offensively, senior quarterback Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit) set another program record as his 269 yards passing helped him pass E-Club Hall of Famer Walter Church for the career total offense record at Eastern. He now has the program standard with 8,811 career total yards of offense. In addition to the yards, he added onto his school touchdown pass record with two more, as well as adding one on the ground, the fifth rushing score of his career.
Junior Ian Eriksen (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) had a productive day on the ground, finishing with 112 yards on 18 carries, the third 100-yard game of the season and fifth of his career. On the receiving end of Roback's TD passes was senior Sergio Bailey II (San Diego, Calif.-Olympian (Grossmont College)) who caught them both to complete his three-reception, 69-yard day to lead all EMU receivers. It upped his team-leading TD catch total to eight on the season, and also gave him 15 for is EMU career, which is third on EMU's all-time list.
Defensively, Crosby finished with seven total tackles, including the three sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, a strip sack, and a QB hurry. Senior Jason Beck (Indianapolis, Ind.-Arsenal Technical) was the leading tackler, finishing with eight, including five solo. Sophomore Kevin McGill (Waldorf, Md.-Westlake) had one of the best games of his career in coverage, tallying five tackles, two breakups, and the first interception of his career.
On EMU's first possession of the game, Eastern started with it at their own nine. The Green and White got out of the shadow of their own goal posts with a 19-yard strike to senior Antoine Porter (San Francisco, Calif.-Mission (City College of SF)), which was followed immediately by a career-long 71-yard rush from Eriksen to get down to the Miami four. One play later, Eriksen was ruled in, but after review, was called short at the one, setting up third and goal. The RedHawk defense held tough form there, stonewalling two EMU plays in a row to turn the ball over on downs at the goal line.
After a three-and-out from the Eagles' defense, they set up shop in Miami territory following a short punt. Starting from the MU 44, a 20-yard pass to Eriksen advanced EMU into the red zone. After three short rushes from Eriksen, the Eagles faced another fourth and inches. This time Roback snuck it across the line to gain to keep the drive alive.
With first and goal, EMU ran with Eriksen and Vann to get to the three. In familiar territory with third and goal, EMU ran an option this time, which Roback kept himself for the three-yard score. It was his first rushing TD of the season and the fifth of his career. The first points of the game gave EMU a 7-0 lead with two and a half minutes left in the first quarter.
The RedHawks responded with a drive that spanned from the end of the first into the second. Going 53 yards in 12 plays, Miami was held to a 27-yard field goal, which was converted to make the tally 7-3 early in the second quarter.
Eastern came back the other way starting on their own nine again following a penalty. A trio of junior Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) rushes moved the chains the first time, and he ran again for 12 yards to get up to the 33. Roback then found junior Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Derham Hall) deep for a gain of 45, a career-long reception, to advance to Miami's 20. The drive didn't get much further though, and EMU was held to a field goal. Sophomore Paulie Fricano (Rochester, N.Y.-Churchville Chili) drilled the 36-yard kick to put the lead back at seven.
Miami had the response again, this time to tie the game. They went 77 yards in eight plays, capped off with a six-yard rush to tie it at 10. The first turnover of the game occurred on EMU's ensuing drive, as the ball was stripped away and recovered by Miami after a short pass, and MU took over on Eastern's 36. Six plays later they turned the miscue into seven more points, and took their first lead of the game, 17-10, with two minutes and 34 seconds until the break.
In the two-minute drill, EMU rode Eriksen three times for 21 yards to get near midfield. Roback then found sophomore Mathew Sexton (Clinton, Mich.-Clinton) down the sidelines for a circus one-handed catch for 31 yards at the Miami 23. The drive was stymied once again, setting up another field goal. Fricano drilled this one as well from 34 yards out to put the score at 17-13 into halftime.
Coming out of the break with the ball, EMU continued the back-and-forth scoring with a long touchdown drive. Bailey II started it with a 15-yard end-around rush, followed three plays later by a 26-yard pass to Eriksen to get deep into Miami territory. On the seventh play of the drive, Bailey II capped it with 32-yard touchdown reception from Roback to put EMU back on top, 20-17.
The RedHawks got some offensive momentum on the ensuing drive, getting down to Eastern's 36, but the Eagles held their ground, setting up a fourth and three. On a QB draw, sophomore Clay Holford (Carrollton, Texas-Hebron) was there to meet him for no gain, forcing a turnover on downs. A quick three-and-out gave MU the ball back two minutes later.
Just three plays into the Miami drive, Eastern got a much needed turnover, as Crosby danced around defenders, and walloped the MU quarterback, forcing the fumble, which was recovered by senior Dion Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio-Western Hills (Dodge City C.C.)) at the Miami 10-yard line. One play later, Eastern capitalized with a 10-yard strike from Roback to Bailey II to extend the EMU lead 10, 27-17, a score which stood into the final stanza.
On Eastern's first drive of the fourth quarter, the Eagles moved the ball into RedHawk territory, but on a long pass toward the sideline, Miami wrestled the ball away from the receiver for the interception, giving MU possession back on its own 30 yard line. EMU's defense, specifically Crosby, ensured they did not turn the turnover into points. The defensive end tallied his third sack of the evening to force the punt with under 10 minutes to play. It was Crosby's second three-sack day in as many games.
EMU chewed a couple minutes off the clock on its next drive, but ultimately punted it back to the RedHawks with the 10-point lead still intact. With Miami looking to close the gap, EMU's defense had other plans, as McGill jumped a route and picked off the MU pass to give them the ball back with the opportunity to burn more time. They took almost four minutes off the clock, and punted back with just under four minutes to play.
Miami finally got on the board in the second half with an 80-yard touchdown drive to close the EMU lead to just three, 27-24, with two minutes remaining in the game. Without a timeout remaining, MU tried the onside kick, but it was recovered by Bailey II to seal the three-point victory.
Eastern wraps up the 2017 season next Tuesday, Nov. 21, when they host Bowling Green State University at "The Factory" inside Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff for Senior Day is set for 7 p.m.
Video Highlights.
OXFORD, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team once again had a tight, one-possession game, but this time the Eagles (4-7, 2-5 MAC) flipped the script in a 27-24 win over Miami University Wednesday evening, Nov. 15, at Yager Stadium. It was the first win for EMU over the RedHawks (4-7, 3-4 MAC) since 1993, a span of 10 games.
Overall, it was the eighth game of the season that was within one score for the Eagles at the time of the final buzzer, and just the second win in such games this season. EMU's last one-score win was the 16-13 victory over Rutgers in the second game of the season, Sept. 9.
Eastern was stout in all facets of the game, out-gaining the RedHawks, 459-392, including 185 on the ground and 269 through the air. The two teams tied in turnovers, 2-2, but Eastern's defensive pressure proved to be a huge difference maker, as they had five tackles for loss, including four sacks, three of which came from sophomore Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage). He upped his team-best total to 11 on the season, tying the single-season school record set by Avery Brown back in 1996.
Offensively, senior quarterback Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit) set another program record as his 269 yards passing helped him pass E-Club Hall of Famer Walter Church for the career total offense record at Eastern. He now has the program standard with 8,811 career total yards of offense. In addition to the yards, he added onto his school touchdown pass record with two more, as well as adding one on the ground, the fifth rushing score of his career.
Junior Ian Eriksen (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) had a productive day on the ground, finishing with 112 yards on 18 carries, the third 100-yard game of the season and fifth of his career. On the receiving end of Roback's TD passes was senior Sergio Bailey II (San Diego, Calif.-Olympian (Grossmont College)) who caught them both to complete his three-reception, 69-yard day to lead all EMU receivers. It upped his team-leading TD catch total to eight on the season, and also gave him 15 for is EMU career, which is third on EMU's all-time list.
Defensively, Crosby finished with seven total tackles, including the three sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, a strip sack, and a QB hurry. Senior Jason Beck (Indianapolis, Ind.-Arsenal Technical) was the leading tackler, finishing with eight, including five solo. Sophomore Kevin McGill (Waldorf, Md.-Westlake) had one of the best games of his career in coverage, tallying five tackles, two breakups, and the first interception of his career.
On EMU's first possession of the game, Eastern started with it at their own nine. The Green and White got out of the shadow of their own goal posts with a 19-yard strike to senior Antoine Porter (San Francisco, Calif.-Mission (City College of SF)), which was followed immediately by a career-long 71-yard rush from Eriksen to get down to the Miami four. One play later, Eriksen was ruled in, but after review, was called short at the one, setting up third and goal. The RedHawk defense held tough form there, stonewalling two EMU plays in a row to turn the ball over on downs at the goal line.
After a three-and-out from the Eagles' defense, they set up shop in Miami territory following a short punt. Starting from the MU 44, a 20-yard pass to Eriksen advanced EMU into the red zone. After three short rushes from Eriksen, the Eagles faced another fourth and inches. This time Roback snuck it across the line to gain to keep the drive alive.
With first and goal, EMU ran with Eriksen and Vann to get to the three. In familiar territory with third and goal, EMU ran an option this time, which Roback kept himself for the three-yard score. It was his first rushing TD of the season and the fifth of his career. The first points of the game gave EMU a 7-0 lead with two and a half minutes left in the first quarter.
The RedHawks responded with a drive that spanned from the end of the first into the second. Going 53 yards in 12 plays, Miami was held to a 27-yard field goal, which was converted to make the tally 7-3 early in the second quarter.
Eastern came back the other way starting on their own nine again following a penalty. A trio of junior Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) rushes moved the chains the first time, and he ran again for 12 yards to get up to the 33. Roback then found junior Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Derham Hall) deep for a gain of 45, a career-long reception, to advance to Miami's 20. The drive didn't get much further though, and EMU was held to a field goal. Sophomore Paulie Fricano (Rochester, N.Y.-Churchville Chili) drilled the 36-yard kick to put the lead back at seven.
Miami had the response again, this time to tie the game. They went 77 yards in eight plays, capped off with a six-yard rush to tie it at 10. The first turnover of the game occurred on EMU's ensuing drive, as the ball was stripped away and recovered by Miami after a short pass, and MU took over on Eastern's 36. Six plays later they turned the miscue into seven more points, and took their first lead of the game, 17-10, with two minutes and 34 seconds until the break.
In the two-minute drill, EMU rode Eriksen three times for 21 yards to get near midfield. Roback then found sophomore Mathew Sexton (Clinton, Mich.-Clinton) down the sidelines for a circus one-handed catch for 31 yards at the Miami 23. The drive was stymied once again, setting up another field goal. Fricano drilled this one as well from 34 yards out to put the score at 17-13 into halftime.
Coming out of the break with the ball, EMU continued the back-and-forth scoring with a long touchdown drive. Bailey II started it with a 15-yard end-around rush, followed three plays later by a 26-yard pass to Eriksen to get deep into Miami territory. On the seventh play of the drive, Bailey II capped it with 32-yard touchdown reception from Roback to put EMU back on top, 20-17.
The RedHawks got some offensive momentum on the ensuing drive, getting down to Eastern's 36, but the Eagles held their ground, setting up a fourth and three. On a QB draw, sophomore Clay Holford (Carrollton, Texas-Hebron) was there to meet him for no gain, forcing a turnover on downs. A quick three-and-out gave MU the ball back two minutes later.
Just three plays into the Miami drive, Eastern got a much needed turnover, as Crosby danced around defenders, and walloped the MU quarterback, forcing the fumble, which was recovered by senior Dion Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio-Western Hills (Dodge City C.C.)) at the Miami 10-yard line. One play later, Eastern capitalized with a 10-yard strike from Roback to Bailey II to extend the EMU lead 10, 27-17, a score which stood into the final stanza.
On Eastern's first drive of the fourth quarter, the Eagles moved the ball into RedHawk territory, but on a long pass toward the sideline, Miami wrestled the ball away from the receiver for the interception, giving MU possession back on its own 30 yard line. EMU's defense, specifically Crosby, ensured they did not turn the turnover into points. The defensive end tallied his third sack of the evening to force the punt with under 10 minutes to play. It was Crosby's second three-sack day in as many games.
EMU chewed a couple minutes off the clock on its next drive, but ultimately punted it back to the RedHawks with the 10-point lead still intact. With Miami looking to close the gap, EMU's defense had other plans, as McGill jumped a route and picked off the MU pass to give them the ball back with the opportunity to burn more time. They took almost four minutes off the clock, and punted back with just under four minutes to play.
Miami finally got on the board in the second half with an 80-yard touchdown drive to close the EMU lead to just three, 27-24, with two minutes remaining in the game. Without a timeout remaining, MU tried the onside kick, but it was recovered by Bailey II to seal the three-point victory.
Eastern wraps up the 2017 season next Tuesday, Nov. 21, when they host Bowling Green State University at "The Factory" inside Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff for Senior Day is set for 7 p.m.
Team Stats
EMU
MIAMI
Total Yards
459
392
Pass Yards
269
251
Rushing Yards
190
141
Penalty Yards
28
75
1st Downs
18
19
3rd Downs
3
6
4th Downs
1
0
TOP
31:15
28:45
1st Quarter
EMU 7, MIAMI 0
EMU - ROBACK, Brogan 3 yd run (FRICANO, Paulie kick), 9 plays, 44 yards, TOP 4:26
2nd Quarter
EMU 7, MIAMI 3
MIAMI - SLOMAN, Sam 27 yd field goal 12 plays, 53 yards, TOP 4:13
EMU 10, MIAMI 3
EMU - FRICANO, Paulie 36 yd field goal 11 plays, 72 yards, TOP 4:05
EMU 10, MIAMI 10
MIAMI - YOUNG, Kenny 6 yd run (SLOMAN, Sam kick), 8 plays, 77 yards, TOP 3:18
EMU 10, MIAMI 17
MIAMI - YOUNG, Kenny 5 yd run (SLOMAN, Sam kick), 6 plays, 36 yards, TOP 2:34
EMU 13, MIAMI 17
EMU - FRICANO, Paulie 34 yd field goal 8 plays, 63 yards, TOP 2:21
3rd Quarter
EMU 20, MIAMI 17
EMU - BAILEY, Sergio 32 yd pass from ROBACK, Brogan (FRICANO, Paulie kick) 7 plays, 74 yards, TOP 1:59
EMU 27, MIAMI 17
EMU - BAILEY, Sergio 10 yd pass from ROBACK, Brogan (FRICANO, Paulie kick) 1 plays, 10 yards, TOP 0:05
4th Quarter
EMU 27, MIAMI 24
MIAMI - SMITH, Ryan 11 yd pass from RAGLAND, Gus (SLOMAN, Sam kick) 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 1:49
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
15
TD
2
YDS
269
INT
1
Players Mentioned
WR
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RB
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LB
/ Football
DL
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DL
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RB
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K
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DL
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DB
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WR
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WR
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