Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, September 23
Rynearson Stadium
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Ohio
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Ohio Comes to Town for Band/Hall of Fame Day Saturday, Sept. 23
9/18/2017 1:10:00 PM | Football
Game 3 • Sept. 23, 2017 • 2 p.m. • Ypsilanti, Mich. • Rynearson Stadium (30,200)
| Football vs. Ohio | |
| Date | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 2 p.m. |
| Venue | Ypsilanti, Mich. | Rynearson Stadium (30,200) |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes | Press Conference Video. | Teleconference Audio. |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| Watch | ESPN3 |
| Listen | WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) | TuneIn Radio |
| @EMUFB | @EMUAthletics | |
| Tickets | Order Tickets Online or call 734.487.3669 | Bag Policy |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – After an early season bye week, the Eastern Michigan University football team returns to action Saturday, Sept. 23, against defending Mid-American Conference East Division champion Ohio University. The MAC lid-lifter between the Eagles and Bobcats will begin at 2 p.m. inside "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium. EMU is 2-0 on the year at its 16-13 defeat of Rutgers University, Sept. 9, while Ohio is 2-1 following a 42-30 home victory over the University of Kansas, Sept. 16.
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).
PICKING OFF A POWER 5: With the thrilling 16-13 win over Rutgers, Sept. 9, Eastern Michigan defeated a 'Power 5' program for the first time in program history in 59 tries. In addition, it was also EMU's first win over a Big Ten Conference team in 39 attempts.
RETURN OF THE MAC: Saturday's contest kicks off the 42nd year that the Eagles have been a part of the Mid-American Conference football championship race. EMU was admitted into the league in 1971, but a complete league schedule was not available until the 1976 season.
In the previous 41 openers, EMU has won 12 times, including for the first time since 2011 last season. When opening the conference season at home, Eastern is 6-14 all-time. EMU's last time winning the conference opener at Rynearson Stadium was also in 2011, when EMU knocked off Akron, 31-23.
HARRIS EARNS POW HONORS AFTER STRONG SHOWING IN PISCATAWAY: Junior defensive lineman Jeremiah Harris wreaked havoc on the Rutgers offense all night in a thrilling 16-13 win over the Scarlet Knights, Sept. 9. For his efforts, he was was named the MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career.
The Lambertville, Mich. native had the game-sealing sack on the final play of the game to clinch the first victory over a 'Power 5' program in program 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.
HOT START FOR THE DEFENSE: In the first two games of the season, the Eastern Michigan defense has been the catalyst 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 this few of points to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams to open a season was 1983, when Eastern gave up just three points to Marshall and 13 points to Akron.
THREE-AND-OUT: The EMU defense has been very stingy to open 2017, as Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery's unit has forced opponents to go three-and-out on 42.6 percent (12-of-28) of its drives this season.
Against Rutgers, 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.
INTERCEPTIONS GALORE: A huge part of EMU's hot start on defense has been the turnover battle, specifically interceptions. In just two games, EMU has five picks, which is tied for the fourth most in the country. The five total turnovers is also tied for ninth in the FBS, while EMU's 1.00 turnover margin comes in at tied for 25th in the nation.
HOYING GOING THE OTHER WAY: With his two interceptions in the first two game of the season, sophomore Brody Hoying is one of just 20 players in the country with multiple picks so far this season.
WITH AN EMU WIN…: An EMU win would give the program its first 3-0 start since 1989. In addition, should Eastern maintain its defensive prowess, and hold Ohio to less than 20 points, it would be the first time that happened in three consecutive games since 2006. The last time it happened to open the season was 1988, and the last time it happened to open the season against three FBS programs was 1977.
ROBACK RISING: Senior 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 for numerous categories. For his career, he has 6,290 passing yards and 39 passing touchdowns, which ranks third all-time in program history for each category. His 541 completions rank fourth and, his 6,560 total yards are fifth in the EMU annals.
MR.CLUTCH: In the 16-13 win over Rutgers, Sept. 9, quarterback Brogan Roback led EMU on a seven-play, 77-yard scoring drive early in the fourth quarter that resulted in what ended up being the game-winning field goal from Paulie Fricano. It was the fifth game-winning drive Roback has led in his EMU career, as well as being the third-longest yardage wise.
HUNNID TIMES 10: With his five reception, 107-yard performance against Rutgers, Sept. 9, wideout Sergio Bailey II (@JustHunnids) went over 1,000 yards for his EMU career. With his 1,053 career yards, Bailey II sits at 22nd on the all-time receiving yardage list in just his second season in the program.
EAGLES IN TIGHT GAMES: Eastern has become accustomed to playing in games that go down to the wire. Since the start of 2016, the Eagles are 6-2 in games decided by seven points or less.
Last year, the Eagles bested Wyoming, 27-24, Bowling Green, 28-25, Ohio 27-20, Ball State, 48-41, and Central Michigan, 26-21. This year, EMU eked out a 16-13 win at Rutgers, Sept. 9. The two blemishes came in 2016 against Northern Illinois, 31-24, in overtime, and versus Old Dominion, 24-20, in the Bahamas Bowl.
ALL-TIME VS OHIO: Eastern Michigan is 12-18-1 against Ohio all-time. The Eagles won for the first time in seven tries last season, when EMU knocked off the eventual MAC East Champions, 27-20, in Athens. It was the Eagles' first win at Ohio since 1994. EMU has not defeated OU inside Rynearson Stadium since 1999, which was EMU's last win over Ohio before last season.
This will be just the third time Eastern has faced Ohio in the conference opener, the last time being in 1984. The Eagles are 0-2 in the previous two contests, the other occurring in EMU's first ever MAC game, Sept. 4, 1976.
SPREADING THE LOVE: For the second straight week, quarterback Brogan Roback spread the ball around to a multitude of targets, finding eight different receivers against Rutgers after completing passes to 10 different receivers against Charlotte. The deep ball was also clicking to a wide variety of targets, as Roback completed passes of at least 14 yards to six different players.
BECK ON THE STOP: A name Eagle fans have become accustomed to hearing in on tackles over the last four years is senior Jason Beck. The Indianapolis, Ind. product, who transitioned from safety to linebacker this season, has racked up 274 stops for his career, placing him tied for 23rd all-time at EMU. Should Beck replicate his 104-tackle output from a season ago, he will finish in the top-five in program history.
HALL OF FAME CEREMONY SET FOR SEPT. 22: The E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony is schedule for Friday, Sept. 22, in the atrium of the Convocation Center. This year's class will mark the 42nd anniversary of the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame. A reception will begin at 6 p.m. inside the Convocation Center followed by the ceremony at 7 p.m. The Class of 2017 will then be recognized during the EMU football game. Reservations are $45 and include the evening reception and ceremony, as well as heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages. For questions, please call Jessica Nietrzeba in the Office for Alumni Relations at 734.487.0264.
TWO EMU FOOTBALL GREATS HEAD INTO EMU HALL OF FAME: Former quarterback Walter Church and offensive lineman William DuLac will become the newest members of the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame during the weekend of Sept. 22-23.
Church owns or shares every passing record in EMU history with Charlie Batch, including attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns for a game, season, and career. He became the first player in EMU history to eclipse over 8,500 career yards of total offense which also ranks first all-time in the EMU record books. He holds the longest passing play in EMU history with 89 yards to teammate Eric Powell at Western Michigan, Oct. 17, 1998. Chruch set EMU records for total offensive plays (1,657), total offensive yards (8,628), pass attempts (1,441), pass completions (807), and passing yards (9,142).
DuLac earned three letters for the EMU football team from 1970-72. He started three seasons as an offensive lineman from 1970-1972 and served as team captain in 1972. He helped EMU compile a 20-7-3 win-loss record during his time in Ypsilanti. Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round, 167th overall pick, of the 1973 National Football League draft, DuLac played professionally in the NFL with the Rams (1973) and the New England Patriots (1974-1975).
PICKING OFF A POWER 5: With the thrilling 16-13 win over Rutgers, Sept. 9, Eastern Michigan defeated a 'Power 5' program for the first time in program history in 59 tries. In addition, it was also EMU's first win over a Big Ten Conference team in 39 attempts.
RETURN OF THE MAC: Saturday's contest kicks off the 42nd year that the Eagles have been a part of the Mid-American Conference football championship race. EMU was admitted into the league in 1971, but a complete league schedule was not available until the 1976 season.
In the previous 41 openers, EMU has won 12 times, including for the first time since 2011 last season. When opening the conference season at home, Eastern is 6-14 all-time. EMU's last time winning the conference opener at Rynearson Stadium was also in 2011, when EMU knocked off Akron, 31-23.
HARRIS EARNS POW HONORS AFTER STRONG SHOWING IN PISCATAWAY: Junior defensive lineman Jeremiah Harris wreaked havoc on the Rutgers offense all night in a thrilling 16-13 win over the Scarlet Knights, Sept. 9. For his efforts, he was was named the MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career.
The Lambertville, Mich. native had the game-sealing sack on the final play of the game to clinch the first victory over a 'Power 5' program in program 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.
HOT START FOR THE DEFENSE: In the first two games of the season, the Eastern Michigan defense has been the catalyst 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 this few of points to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams to open a season was 1983, when Eastern gave up just three points to Marshall and 13 points to Akron.
THREE-AND-OUT: The EMU defense has been very stingy to open 2017, as Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery's unit has forced opponents to go three-and-out on 42.6 percent (12-of-28) of its drives this season.
Against Rutgers, 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.
INTERCEPTIONS GALORE: A huge part of EMU's hot start on defense has been the turnover battle, specifically interceptions. In just two games, EMU has five picks, which is tied for the fourth most in the country. The five total turnovers is also tied for ninth in the FBS, while EMU's 1.00 turnover margin comes in at tied for 25th in the nation.
HOYING GOING THE OTHER WAY: With his two interceptions in the first two game of the season, sophomore Brody Hoying is one of just 20 players in the country with multiple picks so far this season.
WITH AN EMU WIN…: An EMU win would give the program its first 3-0 start since 1989. In addition, should Eastern maintain its defensive prowess, and hold Ohio to less than 20 points, it would be the first time that happened in three consecutive games since 2006. The last time it happened to open the season was 1988, and the last time it happened to open the season against three FBS programs was 1977.
ROBACK RISING: Senior 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 for numerous categories. For his career, he has 6,290 passing yards and 39 passing touchdowns, which ranks third all-time in program history for each category. His 541 completions rank fourth and, his 6,560 total yards are fifth in the EMU annals.
MR.CLUTCH: In the 16-13 win over Rutgers, Sept. 9, quarterback Brogan Roback led EMU on a seven-play, 77-yard scoring drive early in the fourth quarter that resulted in what ended up being the game-winning field goal from Paulie Fricano. It was the fifth game-winning drive Roback has led in his EMU career, as well as being the third-longest yardage wise.
HUNNID TIMES 10: With his five reception, 107-yard performance against Rutgers, Sept. 9, wideout Sergio Bailey II (@JustHunnids) went over 1,000 yards for his EMU career. With his 1,053 career yards, Bailey II sits at 22nd on the all-time receiving yardage list in just his second season in the program.
EAGLES IN TIGHT GAMES: Eastern has become accustomed to playing in games that go down to the wire. Since the start of 2016, the Eagles are 6-2 in games decided by seven points or less.
Last year, the Eagles bested Wyoming, 27-24, Bowling Green, 28-25, Ohio 27-20, Ball State, 48-41, and Central Michigan, 26-21. This year, EMU eked out a 16-13 win at Rutgers, Sept. 9. The two blemishes came in 2016 against Northern Illinois, 31-24, in overtime, and versus Old Dominion, 24-20, in the Bahamas Bowl.
ALL-TIME VS OHIO: Eastern Michigan is 12-18-1 against Ohio all-time. The Eagles won for the first time in seven tries last season, when EMU knocked off the eventual MAC East Champions, 27-20, in Athens. It was the Eagles' first win at Ohio since 1994. EMU has not defeated OU inside Rynearson Stadium since 1999, which was EMU's last win over Ohio before last season.
This will be just the third time Eastern has faced Ohio in the conference opener, the last time being in 1984. The Eagles are 0-2 in the previous two contests, the other occurring in EMU's first ever MAC game, Sept. 4, 1976.
SPREADING THE LOVE: For the second straight week, quarterback Brogan Roback spread the ball around to a multitude of targets, finding eight different receivers against Rutgers after completing passes to 10 different receivers against Charlotte. The deep ball was also clicking to a wide variety of targets, as Roback completed passes of at least 14 yards to six different players.
BECK ON THE STOP: A name Eagle fans have become accustomed to hearing in on tackles over the last four years is senior Jason Beck. The Indianapolis, Ind. product, who transitioned from safety to linebacker this season, has racked up 274 stops for his career, placing him tied for 23rd all-time at EMU. Should Beck replicate his 104-tackle output from a season ago, he will finish in the top-five in program history.
HALL OF FAME CEREMONY SET FOR SEPT. 22: The E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony is schedule for Friday, Sept. 22, in the atrium of the Convocation Center. This year's class will mark the 42nd anniversary of the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame. A reception will begin at 6 p.m. inside the Convocation Center followed by the ceremony at 7 p.m. The Class of 2017 will then be recognized during the EMU football game. Reservations are $45 and include the evening reception and ceremony, as well as heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages. For questions, please call Jessica Nietrzeba in the Office for Alumni Relations at 734.487.0264.
TWO EMU FOOTBALL GREATS HEAD INTO EMU HALL OF FAME: Former quarterback Walter Church and offensive lineman William DuLac will become the newest members of the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame during the weekend of Sept. 22-23.
Church owns or shares every passing record in EMU history with Charlie Batch, including attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns for a game, season, and career. He became the first player in EMU history to eclipse over 8,500 career yards of total offense which also ranks first all-time in the EMU record books. He holds the longest passing play in EMU history with 89 yards to teammate Eric Powell at Western Michigan, Oct. 17, 1998. Chruch set EMU records for total offensive plays (1,657), total offensive yards (8,628), pass attempts (1,441), pass completions (807), and passing yards (9,142).
DuLac earned three letters for the EMU football team from 1970-72. He started three seasons as an offensive lineman from 1970-1972 and served as team captain in 1972. He helped EMU compile a 20-7-3 win-loss record during his time in Ypsilanti. Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round, 167th overall pick, of the 1973 National Football League draft, DuLac played professionally in the NFL with the Rams (1973) and the New England Patriots (1974-1975).
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
K
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
QB
/ FootballEMU Football Pregame Press Conference: Week 8 at Miami
Monday, October 13
Northern Illinois: Cinematic Recap
Sunday, October 12
Stout Defense Pushes EMU Past NIU, 16-10
Sunday, October 12
2025 Football Week 7 Hype vs. NIU
Friday, October 10