YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan Eagles opened their 2017 season Friday with a commanding 24-7 win over North Carolina Charlotte
The seven points allowed were the fewest allowed by EMU (1-0) in a season opener since 2005. The game also marked the 150th career win for Head Coach Chris Creighton in his 21-year career.
As a team, the . . .
The seven points allowed were the fewest allowed by EMU (1-0) in a season opener since 2005. The game also marked the 150th career win for Head Coach Chris Creighton in his 21-year career.
As a team, the . . .
. . . Green and White got most of their offensive edge through the passing game, finishing with 267 yards. The run game added an additional 126 for 393 yards in all.
Meanwhile, Eastern's defense did its job, limiting the 49ers (0-1) to 280 total yards, with only 114 yards through the air. As part of the excellent passing defense, the Eagles picked off three errant Charlotte passes, including a pick six from redshirt sophomore Brody Hoying to open the scoring. It was, coincidentally, the first interception returned for a touchdown since the Charlotte game last season.
Also getting in on the interception party were senior Jason Beck and junior Justin Moody, the third and first of their careers, respectively.
As a whole, EMU disrupted the 49er offensive attack all night, totaling seven tackles-for-loss, as well as two sacks. Redshirt junior Jeremiah Harris led the way with nine total stops, including 1.5 for loss and a half sack.
On the offensive side of the ball, senior Brogan Roback led the EMU attack, throwing for 267 yards. In doing so, Roback surpassed Andy Schmitt for third all-time in career passing yards.
The veteran spread the love, completing passes to 10 different wideouts, including three who had at least three receptions on the day. Senior Sergio Bailey II led the way with five catches for 78 yards, while fellow senior Antoine Porter had a solid game with three catches for 74 yards.
Redshirt junior Shaq Vann paced the rushing attack with 23 carries for 90 yards while redshirt junior Ian Eriksen picked up two rushing touchdowns to go along with his 37 yards on the ground. It was the fourth two-touchdown effort of his EMU career.
The Eagles started out promising, with a 20 yard scamper from Vann, followed by a 21-yard pass to Bailey II to get EMU into Charlotte territory. The drive failed to get any further though, as UNCC forced a fumble to end the momentum.
Charlotte began its first drive in their own territory, but it did not last long as on the sixth play Hoying intercepted a Hasaan Klugh pass. The Ohio native, with his first career interception, jumped the route and returned the ball 35 yards the other way for a touchdown to give EMU the early 7-0 lead.
Charlotte drove into Eagles territory on the ground with a 51 yard rush on its first play from scrimmage on its next drive. With a third-and-nine, the 49ers completed a 21-yard pass into the end zone for a touchdown, knotting the score back up at seven apiece with just under eight minutes in the first quarter.
On the next drive, Eastern took advantage of a key Charlotte penalty on third down and used the new life to score its second touchdown of the game. Charlotte gave EMU a first down after a roughing-the-passer penalty was called. The Green and White then took full advantage of the penalty as Eriksen dove the ball into the end zone for a touchdown six plays later. With the extra-point, gave the Eagles a 14-7 lead.
As play turned to the second quarter, the Eagles were unable to maintain their rhythm. On the fourth play from scrimmage in the quarter, Roback threw an interception, and the 49ers responded by putting together a long drive.
Charlotte, struggling with penalties throughout the first half, seemed to break the yellow flag curse with a 26-yard pass that moved them into EMU's territory. The penalties continued to haunt the 49ers the rest of the drive, though, as it stalled and they were once again forced to punt.
Roback saw nothing but open teammates during the Eagles' next possession, connecting with four different receivers for 60 yards on the drive. The Eagles capped off the 74-yard drive with a 32-yard field goal from redshirt sophomore kicker Paulie Fricano to push the lead to 17-7. Charlotte did not get anything going in its final possession of the half to maintain the 10-point advantage.
Charlotte stalled with the first possession of the second half and each side failed to drive longer than three minutes.
Moody, with the first interception of his career, broke up a 49ers 50-second drive before the Eagles had a turnover on downs less than two minutes later. Charlotte struggled to find its rhythm as the Eagles limited them to a three-and-out, keeping it 17-7 with 5:41 left in the third.
Eastern finally got the pace moving on its next drive, with four-straight first downs for 76 yards. Roback's 41 yard pass to A. Porter put the Eagles within striking distance. An Eriksen rush pushed the Eagles to within five yards of a score and, one play later, he dove into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game. With the extra point, the Green and White stretched their lead, 24-7.
EMU's defense, like it had all day, continued to hold the 49ers offense down the rest of the way, limiting them to just 20 yards total in their final six possessions. While neither team threatened to score, the efforts on both sides of the ball were enough to allow the Eagles to cruise to the 17-point win.
Eastern Michigan will travel to New Jersey to take on Rutgers University next Saturday, Sept. 9. Kick-off from High Point Solutions Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Eastern's defense did its job, limiting the 49ers (0-1) to 280 total yards, with only 114 yards through the air. As part of the excellent passing defense, the Eagles picked off three errant Charlotte passes, including a pick six from redshirt sophomore Brody Hoying to open the scoring. It was, coincidentally, the first interception returned for a touchdown since the Charlotte game last season.
Also getting in on the interception party were senior Jason Beck and junior Justin Moody, the third and first of their careers, respectively.
As a whole, EMU disrupted the 49er offensive attack all night, totaling seven tackles-for-loss, as well as two sacks. Redshirt junior Jeremiah Harris led the way with nine total stops, including 1.5 for loss and a half sack.
On the offensive side of the ball, senior Brogan Roback led the EMU attack, throwing for 267 yards. In doing so, Roback surpassed Andy Schmitt for third all-time in career passing yards.
The veteran spread the love, completing passes to 10 different wideouts, including three who had at least three receptions on the day. Senior Sergio Bailey II led the way with five catches for 78 yards, while fellow senior Antoine Porter had a solid game with three catches for 74 yards.
Redshirt junior Shaq Vann paced the rushing attack with 23 carries for 90 yards while redshirt junior Ian Eriksen picked up two rushing touchdowns to go along with his 37 yards on the ground. It was the fourth two-touchdown effort of his EMU career.
The Eagles started out promising, with a 20 yard scamper from Vann, followed by a 21-yard pass to Bailey II to get EMU into Charlotte territory. The drive failed to get any further though, as UNCC forced a fumble to end the momentum.
Charlotte began its first drive in their own territory, but it did not last long as on the sixth play Hoying intercepted a Hasaan Klugh pass. The Ohio native, with his first career interception, jumped the route and returned the ball 35 yards the other way for a touchdown to give EMU the early 7-0 lead.
Charlotte drove into Eagles territory on the ground with a 51 yard rush on its first play from scrimmage on its next drive. With a third-and-nine, the 49ers completed a 21-yard pass into the end zone for a touchdown, knotting the score back up at seven apiece with just under eight minutes in the first quarter.
On the next drive, Eastern took advantage of a key Charlotte penalty on third down and used the new life to score its second touchdown of the game. Charlotte gave EMU a first down after a roughing-the-passer penalty was called. The Green and White then took full advantage of the penalty as Eriksen dove the ball into the end zone for a touchdown six plays later. With the extra-point, gave the Eagles a 14-7 lead.
As play turned to the second quarter, the Eagles were unable to maintain their rhythm. On the fourth play from scrimmage in the quarter, Roback threw an interception, and the 49ers responded by putting together a long drive.
Charlotte, struggling with penalties throughout the first half, seemed to break the yellow flag curse with a 26-yard pass that moved them into EMU's territory. The penalties continued to haunt the 49ers the rest of the drive, though, as it stalled and they were once again forced to punt.
Roback saw nothing but open teammates during the Eagles' next possession, connecting with four different receivers for 60 yards on the drive. The Eagles capped off the 74-yard drive with a 32-yard field goal from redshirt sophomore kicker Paulie Fricano to push the lead to 17-7. Charlotte did not get anything going in its final possession of the half to maintain the 10-point advantage.
Charlotte stalled with the first possession of the second half and each side failed to drive longer than three minutes.
Moody, with the first interception of his career, broke up a 49ers 50-second drive before the Eagles had a turnover on downs less than two minutes later. Charlotte struggled to find its rhythm as the Eagles limited them to a three-and-out, keeping it 17-7 with 5:41 left in the third.
Eastern finally got the pace moving on its next drive, with four-straight first downs for 76 yards. Roback's 41 yard pass to A. Porter put the Eagles within striking distance. An Eriksen rush pushed the Eagles to within five yards of a score and, one play later, he dove into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game. With the extra point, the Green and White stretched their lead, 24-7.
EMU's defense, like it had all day, continued to hold the 49ers offense down the rest of the way, limiting them to just 20 yards total in their final six possessions. While neither team threatened to score, the efforts on both sides of the ball were enough to allow the Eagles to cruise to the 17-point win.
Eastern Michigan will travel to New Jersey to take on Rutgers University next Saturday, Sept. 9. Kick-off from High Point Solutions Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m.
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