Eastern Michigan Athletics
Jeremiah Harris Named MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week
9/13/2017 4:28:00 PM | Football
The defensive lineman helped seal EMU's first win over a 'Power 5" opponent with a sack
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — Accolades continue to roll in for Eastern Michigan University junior Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior), as the Eagles' defensive lineman was named the Mid-American Conference Scholar Athlete of the Week for the period ending Sept. 10, the league office announced Wednesday, Sept. 13.
The MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week honor is presented weekly to a MAC male and female student-athlete who has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better and performs well during the week's competition.
Harris, who carries a 3.40 GPA in Sport Performance & Fitness Entrepreneurship, wreaked havoc on the Rutgers University offense all night in a thrilling 16-13 win over the Scarlet Knights, Sept. 9. The junior had the game-sealing sack on the final play of the game to clinch the first victory over a 'Power 5' program in school history. In addition to the sack, Harris added a tackle for loss, a pass breakup at the line, a QB hurry, as well as an interception to halt a potential Rutgers scoring drive. While not showing out in the box score, Harris was the catalyst for a defense that held Rutgers to just 128 yards rushing, 198 passing, and 15 first downs. The game-winning sack was the 6.5 of his career, while the pick was his second.
The win was also Eastern Michigan's first win over a current member of the Big Ten Conference opponent in 39 tries.
EMU forced the Scarlet Knights into eight quick series that resulted in a combined 24 yards (9, 0, 0, 3, 7, 0, 5, and 0). During one stretch, Rutgers did not move the chains for a first down on six consecutive drives before finally snapping the spell on its opening drive of the third quarter. Furthermore, just a week earlier against No. 8 ranked Washington, Rutgers managed just a pair of three-and-outs against the College Football Playoff participant.
In the first two games of the season, the EMU defense has led the way for the first 2-0 start since 2011. The Eagles have given up just 303 yards of total offense per game, as well as 20 total points, including just two touchdowns. This marks the fewest total yardage and points given up by the Eagles since 2011 as well, but both of those games came against Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams. The last time EMU gave up as few of points to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents to open a season was 1983, when Eastern gave up just three points to Marshall and 13 points to Akron.
The Eagles will enjoy an early season bye week before returning to action Saturday, Sept. 23, against defending Mid-American Conference East Division champion Ohio University inside "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium. The contest is Band and Hall of Fame Day, as eight former EMU student-athletes will be honored for their outstanding careers. The E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2017 includes: Brian Bixler (Baseball), Walter Church (Football), Lauren Clark (Softball), William DuLac (Football), Jessica Hupe (W. Soccer), Robin Loheide (W. Gymnastics), Lela V. Nelson (W. Track & Field), and Tiberia T. Patterson (M. Track).
The MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week honor is presented weekly to a MAC male and female student-athlete who has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better and performs well during the week's competition.
Harris, who carries a 3.40 GPA in Sport Performance & Fitness Entrepreneurship, wreaked havoc on the Rutgers University offense all night in a thrilling 16-13 win over the Scarlet Knights, Sept. 9. The junior had the game-sealing sack on the final play of the game to clinch the first victory over a 'Power 5' program in school history. In addition to the sack, Harris added a tackle for loss, a pass breakup at the line, a QB hurry, as well as an interception to halt a potential Rutgers scoring drive. While not showing out in the box score, Harris was the catalyst for a defense that held Rutgers to just 128 yards rushing, 198 passing, and 15 first downs. The game-winning sack was the 6.5 of his career, while the pick was his second.
The win was also Eastern Michigan's first win over a current member of the Big Ten Conference opponent in 39 tries.
EMU forced the Scarlet Knights into eight quick series that resulted in a combined 24 yards (9, 0, 0, 3, 7, 0, 5, and 0). During one stretch, Rutgers did not move the chains for a first down on six consecutive drives before finally snapping the spell on its opening drive of the third quarter. Furthermore, just a week earlier against No. 8 ranked Washington, Rutgers managed just a pair of three-and-outs against the College Football Playoff participant.
In the first two games of the season, the EMU defense has led the way for the first 2-0 start since 2011. The Eagles have given up just 303 yards of total offense per game, as well as 20 total points, including just two touchdowns. This marks the fewest total yardage and points given up by the Eagles since 2011 as well, but both of those games came against Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams. The last time EMU gave up as few of points to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents to open a season was 1983, when Eastern gave up just three points to Marshall and 13 points to Akron.
The Eagles will enjoy an early season bye week before returning to action Saturday, Sept. 23, against defending Mid-American Conference East Division champion Ohio University inside "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium. The contest is Band and Hall of Fame Day, as eight former EMU student-athletes will be honored for their outstanding careers. The E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2017 includes: Brian Bixler (Baseball), Walter Church (Football), Lauren Clark (Softball), William DuLac (Football), Jessica Hupe (W. Soccer), Robin Loheide (W. Gymnastics), Lela V. Nelson (W. Track & Field), and Tiberia T. Patterson (M. Track).
Players Mentioned
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