Eagles aim for third straight opening victory
Howard at Eastern Michigan
Friday, Sept. 1 -- 6:30 p.m. ET
Rynearson Stadium - Ypsilanti, MI
ESPN+
After finishing 2022 with four straight wins, including a bowl victory, Eastern Michigan will try to continue the winning ways in a new season when it hosts Howard Friday.
The Bison finished last year with a 5-6 mark, but four of those victories came in the last five games. That helped Howard finish the year with a 4-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) record. That equaled North Carolina Central, but NCC earned the edge with a 50-21 win over Howard.
A preseason head coaches and SID poll predicted similar results in 2023, with North Carolina Central drawing 124 points (9 firsts) and Howard next with 98 points (1 first). A 2023 preseason All-MEAC honors list lists seven Bisons on the first team and another seven on the second team.
Here's more on Howard and Eastern Michigan:
Friday, Sept. 1 -- 6:30 p.m. ET
Rynearson Stadium - Ypsilanti, MI
ESPN+
After finishing 2022 with four straight wins, including a bowl victory, Eastern Michigan will try to continue the winning ways in a new season when it hosts Howard Friday.
The Bison finished last year with a 5-6 mark, but four of those victories came in the last five games. That helped Howard finish the year with a 4-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) record. That equaled North Carolina Central, but NCC earned the edge with a 50-21 win over Howard.
A preseason head coaches and SID poll predicted similar results in 2023, with North Carolina Central drawing 124 points (9 firsts) and Howard next with 98 points (1 first). A 2023 preseason All-MEAC honors list lists seven Bisons on the first team and another seven on the second team.
Here's more on Howard and Eastern Michigan:
HOWARD BISONS
>> Howard averaged 28.3 ppg (2nd MEAC) and allowed 25.4 ppg (3rd MEAC) in 2022..
>> The Bison rushed for 164.9 ypg (2nd MEAC) and averaged 208.2 (2nd MEAC) through the air.
>> Senior RB Jarett Hunter (5-10, 205) finished fourth among MEAC rushers last year, carrying 120 times for a total of 622 yards (5.2 ypc) with five TDs. He is a preseason Second Team All-MEAC selection.
>> QB Quinton Williams was also tabbed as a preseason second team member. He completed 64.6 percent of 268 pass attempts last year, producing 1,885 yards with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed 80 times, netting 184 yards with four scores.
>> Offensive linemen Darius Fox and Anim Dankwah are First Team preseason selections, while Deshawn Ingram (First Team) is also back to anchor the offensive front. Dankwah was named to Phil Steele FCS All-American team.
>> WR Kasey Hawthorne and tight end Brennan Brown are both seniors who drew First Team All-MEAC preseason honors. WR Richie llarraza is on the second team.
>> Howard ranked fourth of six MEAC teams in total defense last year, surrendering 336.5 ypg. The Bison were fourth against the run (167.5 ypg) and first in pass defense (168.9 ypg).
>> Howard defenders tabbed were preseason honors were linemen Jevin Jackson (1st team), Darrian Brokenburr (1st team), DB Kenny Gallob Jr. (1st team), DB Robert Jones III (2nd team), safety Iam Wheeler (2nd team) and LB Christian White (2nd team).
EASTERN MICHIGAN
For complete preseason preview, click HERE
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Eastern Michigan holds a perfect 3-0 record against Howard. All three games were played in Ypsilanti at Rynearson Stadium, and the Eagles have outscored the Bison to a tune of 113-48. EMU is 5-0 all-time against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Following its Dec. 20 victory over San Jose State, Eastern Michigan won four non-conference games last season. It is the third year in a row that the Green and White tallied at least three non-conference wins and is the fourth in the Chris Creighton era (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022).
With Samson Evans returning at running back and a roster that should enable EMU to challenge in the West Division, the Eagles should be able to handle a pretty good Howard team. The Bison lost five-of-six non-conference games last year, although they were able to stay competitive while negotiating that early slate.
>> Howard averaged 28.3 ppg (2nd MEAC) and allowed 25.4 ppg (3rd MEAC) in 2022..
>> The Bison rushed for 164.9 ypg (2nd MEAC) and averaged 208.2 (2nd MEAC) through the air.
>> Senior RB Jarett Hunter (5-10, 205) finished fourth among MEAC rushers last year, carrying 120 times for a total of 622 yards (5.2 ypc) with five TDs. He is a preseason Second Team All-MEAC selection.
>> QB Quinton Williams was also tabbed as a preseason second team member. He completed 64.6 percent of 268 pass attempts last year, producing 1,885 yards with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed 80 times, netting 184 yards with four scores.
>> Offensive linemen Darius Fox and Anim Dankwah are First Team preseason selections, while Deshawn Ingram (First Team) is also back to anchor the offensive front. Dankwah was named to Phil Steele FCS All-American team.
>> WR Kasey Hawthorne and tight end Brennan Brown are both seniors who drew First Team All-MEAC preseason honors. WR Richie llarraza is on the second team.
>> Howard ranked fourth of six MEAC teams in total defense last year, surrendering 336.5 ypg. The Bison were fourth against the run (167.5 ypg) and first in pass defense (168.9 ypg).
>> Howard defenders tabbed were preseason honors were linemen Jevin Jackson (1st team), Darrian Brokenburr (1st team), DB Kenny Gallob Jr. (1st team), DB Robert Jones III (2nd team), safety Iam Wheeler (2nd team) and LB Christian White (2nd team).
EASTERN MICHIGAN
For complete preseason preview, click HERE
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Eastern Michigan holds a perfect 3-0 record against Howard. All three games were played in Ypsilanti at Rynearson Stadium, and the Eagles have outscored the Bison to a tune of 113-48. EMU is 5-0 all-time against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Following its Dec. 20 victory over San Jose State, Eastern Michigan won four non-conference games last season. It is the third year in a row that the Green and White tallied at least three non-conference wins and is the fourth in the Chris Creighton era (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022).
With Samson Evans returning at running back and a roster that should enable EMU to challenge in the West Division, the Eagles should be able to handle a pretty good Howard team. The Bison lost five-of-six non-conference games last year, although they were able to stay competitive while negotiating that early slate.
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