Rynearson Stadium - Ypsilanti, MI
ESPN+
By MIKE SMITH
Eastern Michigan aims to bounce back from a disappointing loss, while the Miami RedHawks look to pick up their first road win of 2021 Saturday when the two teams meet on the gray turf of Rynearson Stadium.
The RedHawks defense impressed last week, limiting potent Central Michigan to 17 points in a 28-17 Miami win. With Eastern Michigan ranked No. 1 (MAC) in scoring (32.6 ppg), the RedHawks defense will be challenged again. This time it will be on the road, and MU could be limping a bit as it tries to overcome a rash of injuries from last Saturday's battle.
Here is more on the two teams . . .
MIAMI REDHAWKS (2-3, 1-0 MAC)
>> Among Saturday's wounded was quarterback Bret Gabbert, who threw two first half TDs before leaving. However, A.J. Mayer entered and tossed two of his own scores while completing 12-of-20 with one interception. Between them, the duo completed 25-of-38 for 350 yards, four scores and the one pick.
>> Mac Hippenhammer, a transfer from Penn State, caught eight balls for 170 yards, while Jack Sorenson grabbed seven passes for 66 yards and two TDs. Andrew Homer and Nate Muersch each chipped in with a TD.
>> After sputtering at times, the RedHawks eventually totaled 164 yards rushing. Kevin Mozee led the way with 13 carries for 83 yards. Tyree Shelton and Jaylon Bester made their first game appearances since 2019, but saw limited action after getting banged up in their 2021 debut.
>> Defensively, Matt Salopek (14 tackles) and Ivan Pace (9 hits) led the way. Ben Kimpler came through with a key fourth down stop that head coach Chuck Martin called one of the key points of the game. After taking over, Miami went on to score two touchdowns to relaim the lead and put the game away.
>> Saturday's 28 points was MU's top offensive output this year against an FBS team. The RedHawks did score 42 points in a win over Long Island in Week Three. Miami owned a 514-430 edge over CMU in total offense.
>> The RedHawks are: sixth in scoring defense (25.4 ppg), fourth in total defense (371.8 ypg), sixth in run defense (179.2) sixth in pass defense (192.6 ypg), fifth in opponent third down conversions (36.9%) and 11th in red zone defense.
>> Miami was flagged eight times for 71 yards against CMU. The RedHawks are averaging 53.4 ypg (6th MAC).
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (3-2, 0-1 MAC)
>> EMU is 45-45-2 all-time on Homecoming, having lost its last five games on the much-anticipated weekend. Saturday’s game will mark the first time EMU and Miami will square off on Homecoming.
>> Saturday's 27-20 loss to Northern Illinois snapped a two-game win streak for EMU but left the Eagles 0-1 in MAC play.
>> Prior to its game at Northern Illinois, Oct. 2, EMU had not given up more than two sacks in any contest in 2021. The Eagles gave up five in the game against the Huskies, including three in the first quarter.
>> NIU jumped off to a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter. That left Eastern Michigan playing catch up the rest of the day. They pulled within seven three times, but could not catch the Huskies in a 27-20 Northern Illinois victory.
>> Eight-nine percent of EMU's offense against NIU came through its passing game. The Eagles had just 38 rushing yards on 24 attempts (1.6 ypc). The Huskies took the opposite route, getting 74 percent of their 326 yards via the ground game.
>> EMU has forced seven turnovers in 2021, and has scored points off of each (5 touchdowns, 2 field goals). That trend continued last Saturday, Oct. 2, at NIU (3 points off a recovered fumble). EMU has scored 41 points off those turnovers, once as a
direct result of the play (98-yard interception-for-touchdown at Wisconsin), and four times in its subsequent offensive possession.
>> Eastern Michigan has been one of the best teams in the nation when it
comes to recovering fumbles in 2021. The Eagles have picked up five loose balls this season, which ranks third in the MAC and 16th nationally. EMU forced and recovered one fumble at NIU.
>> Junior wide out Hassan Beydoun had a career day against NIU, Oct. 2. The Dearborn, Mich. native led all pass catchers with a career-high 14 grabs. With his 167 yards receiving, Beydoun racked up his sixth-career game of 100+ yards. Beydoun has accounted for six of EMU’s 132 all-time 100-yard receiving efforts.
>> Eastern Michigan’s offense is the best scoring unit in the Mid-American Conference. Averaging a league-leading 32.6 points per game, EMU has put up 163 total points on 22 touchdowns, three field goals, and 22 extra points. EMU has scored three more touchdowns than the next-best team in the conference (Buffalo – 19). It total, 12 different Eagles have found the pay dirt in 2021, including four players who have scored multiple touchdowns. Sophomore Samson Evans leads all Eagles with six touchdowns, while freshman Darius Boone Jr. and senior Jawon Hamilton each have three. Evans leads all players in the MAC with 36 points in 2021.
>> After another impressive passing effort at NIU, Oct. 2 (27-of-40, 338 yards, 2 TD), senior quarterback Ben Bryant now ranks 22nd nationally and first in the MAC with 9.13 yards per pass average in 2021. Additionally, he ranks in the top-40 nationally in completion percentage. Bryant’s 65.8 percent clip ranks third in the MAC and 37th nationally. Bryant’s current completion percentage would rank third best for any Eastern player since the turn of the century.
>> Prior to its game at Northern Illinois, Oct. 2, EMU had not given up more than two sacks in any contest in 2021. The Eagles gave up five in the game against the Huskies, including three in the first quarter.