Mid-American Conference teams have posted 11 wins against non-conference FBS teams to date. Just one more opportunity to add another win exists, and that comes Saturday when Eastern Michigan meets Army at West Point's Michie Stadium
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The Eagles 2017 campaign got . . .
Army also got off to a 2-0 start, before hitting a bad stretch. But it stopped the skid at two games and bounced back in a big way with a 35-21 win over UTEP, followed by a 49-12 pounding at Rice last week.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
Saturday marks the eighth lifetime meeting between the two schools, with the Black Knights winning six of the previous seven, including their last meeting in 2015 at Rynearson Stadium 58-36.
It is the fourth meeting at Michie Stadium; Army prevailed in the previous three. EMU’s only win in the series was in 2012 in Ypsilanti 48-28.
● The Black Knights, under fourth year head coach Jeff Monken enter Saturday’s match-up against EMU riding a two-game winning streak after defeating the Rice Owls last week in Houston 49-12.
● EMU is the second MAC team Army will have faced this year. Earlier, they defeated Buffalo at home 21-17
● The Black Knights of the Hudson are averaging 32.2 points and 393.5 yards offensively in their six-games
● The triple option offense is run by senior QB Ahmad Bradshaw, who has rushed for 647 yards and six touchdowns. He has just seven completions in 27 attempts for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Junior RB Jordan Asberry owns two receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown.
● The Black and Gold defense has allowed 19.2 points and 361.3 yards through six games.
● The defense has registered 13 sacks and two interceptions. That unit is led by junior LB James Nachtical with 37 total tackles (23 solo), while senior LB Alex Aukerman has 9.5 tackles for losses and five sacks
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (2-3, 0-2 MAC)
● The Eagles rank 11th among MAC teams in scoring offense (19.0 ppg) and 10th in total offense (351.0 ypg). Meanwhile, the defense is making a strong showing with MAC rankings of second both in scoring defense (18.2 ppg) and total defense (324.2 ypg)
● Army rarely passes, so defending the run well will be critical. The option is a different kind of offense, but for what it’s worth, EMU ranks third among MAC teams in rushing defense (129.6 ypg).
● This is the fourth and final non-conference home game for EMU. The Eagles are 2-1 with wins over Charlotte and Rutgers, while losing to Kentucky
● Against UT, senior QB Brogan Roback completed 23-of-39 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns. The EMU running game managed just 73 yards and was led by Ian Eriksen with 54 yards on nine carries
● The Eastern defense was paced by Vince Calhoun, who had 16 total tackles (10 solo). Overall, the Eagles had four sacks and six tackles for losses, a forced fumble, and three pass breakups.