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# Miami at Buffalo - 3:30 p.m. -- ESPN+
# Northern Illinois at Ball State - 2 p.m. -- ESPN+
# Bowling Green at Akron 3:30 p.m. -- ESPN+
# Central Michigan at Toledo 3:30 p.m. -- NFL NET
# Ohio at Kent State 3:30 p.m. -- ESPN+
# New Hampshire at Western Michigan 6 p.m. -- ESPN3
# UMass at Eastern Michigan 2 p.m. -- ESPN+
For a team like the Miami RedHawks, the two-deep took some hard hits early with quarterback Brett Gabbert and tackle Sam Vaughn sustaining what are probably season-ending injuries at Kentucky. Those, along with other injuries, have altered the RedHawks on both sides of the ball. However, it is most pronounced on offense.
Miami’s offense projected to be a pass-heavy unit capable of scoring points in bunches. What the Buffalo Bulls will see is likely a much more deliberate
As for what Miami might see out of Buffalo, last week’s 50-31 UB victory over Eastern Michigan in an early MAC opener, offers some clues. Both teams punted just once apiece in an offensive slugfest. Buffalo rolled up 498 yards with a balanced attack -- 201 yards rushing and 297 through the air.
MiamI leads the all-time series 16-8, with the first 10 meetings going to MU. The RedHawks have also taken four of the last six matchups. Buffalo’s last win was a 42-10 home field victory in 2020. The RedHawks returned the favor with a 45-18 win last year in Oxford.
Here’s more on the two teams . . .
BUFFALO BULLS (1-3)
>> UB’s balanced offense and zero turnovers helped the Bulls own 38:37 of possession time against EMU.
>> Kyle Vantrease is gone (Georgia Southern), but former Rutgers QB Cole Snyder has moved into the role and has completed 61.6 percent of his pass attempts, good for 1,026 yards with seven TDs and two interceptions. He has been sacked 11 times.
>> The Bulls rank fourth among MAC teams in passing offense (260.0 ypg and are fifth in pass efficiency. UB is ninth in rushing offense (131.8 ypg).
>> Buffalo is fourth (MAC) in total offense (391.8 ypg) and seventh in scoring 29.3 ppg)
>> Justin Marshall and Quian Williams are the Bulls top receivers. They have combined for 45 catches, 595 yards and six TDs.
>> Mike Washington leads UB rushing with 56 carries for 218 yards and three scores. Ron Cook junior has shared the lead, logging 53 carries for 200 yards.
>> The Bulls are allowing 34.3 ppg (8th MAC). LB Shaun Dolac tops the MAC in solo tackles (25) and is fourth overall with an average of 9.8 hits per game overall.
MIAMI REDHAWKS (2-2)
>> MU was a preseason media pick to win the MAC East, but the injury to All-MAC (Third Team) quarterback in Week One has the RedHawks looking at longer odds.
>> Despite significant losses up front, the Miami defense is again among the MAC leaders. The RedHawks are tops in scoring defense (25.8 ppg), second in total defense (353.5 ypg), first against the rush (83.5 ypg; 2.8 ypc) and fifth in pass defense (270.0 ypg). They rank third in defensive pass efficiency.
>> Coming into the season, passing offense was a RedHawk strength. Gabbert’s injury hit MU hard. Miami is currently last in pass passing offense (137.3 ypg) and 10th in pass offense efficiency.
>> Freshman QB Aveon Smith is now atop the depth chart and started MU’s last three contests. He has completed 48.5 percent of his passes with six TDs and two interceptions. He has been sacked eight times.
>> Although tackle Sam Vaughn was lost against Kentucky in Week One, the RedHawks offensive line has experience. Miami has been working to improve the run game and managed to produce 216 yards on the ground last week at Northwestern.
>> Keyon Mozee keyed the RedHawks last week, running for 171 yards on 21 trips. His 66-yard fourth quarter run set a Miami touchdown that tied the game at 14-all.
>> Sophomore kicker Graham Nicholson has made all nine PAT tries this year and is five-of-eight on field goal tries. He went one-of-three against Northwestern, hitting the right upright on his first attempt. His second try was blocked at the line. Nicholson’s long for this year is 38 yards.
>> Miami played turnover-free football against NU and forced two Wildcat fumbles. It also blocked two punts, with one setting up a key Miami touchdown right before intermission.
>> Miami held Northwestern to 107 yards rushing. Standout RB Evan Hull, who previously topped the nation with 203 total yards per contest, was limited to a total of 72 yards.
>> Former Penn State receiver Mac Hippenhammer, now in his second year with the RedHawks, is Miami’s top receiver. He has 176 catches for 219 yards and four TDS.
>> Linebacker Ryan McWood led MU with 11 tackles (10 solo) at Northwestern. He is second among MAC defenders with 23 solo tackles and an average of 10.5 stops per game.
>> Caiden Woullard, who clocked a punt at NU, has three sacks to his credit (2nd MAC).
Ball State and Northern Illinois are slated to meet on the gridiron for the 49th time in series history Saturday at Scheumann Stadium. The last three games have been decided by a combined 14 points. The Cardinals have won two of the last three,but NIU prevailed on a last second field goal last season in DeKalb. The win by Ball State in 2019 snapped a 10-game winning streak by Huskies that dated back to the 2009 season. Ball State and Northern Illinois have played for the Bronze Stalk trophy since 2008.
After flirting with an upset of No. 8 Kentucky last week, the Northern Illinois Huskies seek win No. 2 on the campaign. Likewise Ball State has tasted the fruits of just one victory this season. After throwing a 31-0 shutout at Murray State two weeks ago, the Cardinals faltered late in a 34-23 loss at Georgia Southern last Saturday.
Here’s more on the two teams . . .
BALL STATE (1-3, 0-1 MAC)
>> BSU and Georgia Southern were tied three times before Ball State pulled ahead 23-20 on an early fourth quarter field goal. However, the Eagles responded with two touchdowns to pull out a home victory.
>> Former Buffalo Bulls quarterback Kyle Vantrease threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in the Eagles win. He completed 26-of-39 passing attempts on the day, good for 310 yards.
>> Ball State QB John Paddock connected on 33-of-47 pass attempts, totaling 338 yards with two TDs and one interception. His top target was Jayshon Jackson with 10 catches for 122 yards and a score. Yo’Heinz Tyler followed with nine receptions for 65 total yards.
>> Carson Steele averaged 4.7 ypg, carrying 22 times for a total of 104 yards. Overall, BSU rushed 33 times for 143 yards (4.3 ypc).
>> Through four games, the Cardinals have allowed only one sack and six tackles-for-loss, both of which are among the best in all of college football. In addition, Ball State is the only program in the country to surrender just one sack and 11 or fewer tackles-for-loss.
>> In his lone season with the Cardinals, graduate transfer kicker Ben VonGunten has gotten off to a terrific start. Through three games, BVG is 8-for-8 in field goal attempts, which includes makes from 47 and 44 yards out, and has made every point-after attempt. VonGunten’s eight field goals made is tied for
the sixth-most in the FBS, and he is one of only three kickers nationally to have made at least eight field goals and remain perfect on the year.
>> BSU ranks second (MAC) in total offense (440.5 ypg) and fourth in total defense (408.8 ypg). TheCardinals are third in rushing offense (156.8 ypg) and third in passing offense (283.8 ypg).
NORTHERN ILLINOIS (1-3)
>> After opening 2022 with a 34-27 victory over Eastern Illinois, the Huskies have fallen to Tulsa, Vanderbilt and No. 8 Kentucky.
>> NIU and Kentucky were locked in a 14-14 tie after two quarters last Saturday. The Wildcats then erupted for 17 straight points before Northern Illinois scored 10 points during the last 5:26.
>> Following the 8-point loss at Kentucky, 22 of the Huskies’ 36 games under Thomas Hammock now have been decided by one score with 10 determined by three points or less. NIU is 7-3 since 2019 in games within a three-point margin. Over the last two seasons, NIU is 8-5 in one score games.
>> The NIU defense provided bright spots against UK, holding the Wildcats to season lows in total offense and rushing yards.
>> The Huskies are fifth among MAC teams in scoring (30.0 ppg) and seventh in scoring defense (33.5 ppg).
>> Since the MAC went to divisional play in 1997, NIU is 78-48 versus teams from the MAC West, including a 41-17 mark in the division since 2010. The Huskies went 4-1 against divisional foes a year ago with the only loss in the regular season finale to Western Michigan.
>> Northern Illinois ranks sixth in rushing offense (148.0 ypg) and third in rushing defense (137.0 ypg). The Huskies are eighth in passing (213.3 ypg) and ninth in passing defense (289.0 ypg). They are 11th in pass defense efficiency.
The Akron Zips registered just one conference win last year. That came on the road at Bowling Green, where UA prevailed 35-20.
Both teams are now entering 2022 MAC play with 1-3 records. For Akron, its been nearly a month since the Zips Week One overtime thriller over St. Francis (PA). Two lopsided loses (No. 14 Michigan State and No. 15 Tennessee) followed before last Saturday’s 21-12 setback at Liberty.
Bowling Green, meanwhile, hopes to regain the vibes it earned with an overtime upset of Marshall in Week Three -- one week after the Herd upset then-No. 8 Notre Dame.
BGSU leads the all-time series with Akron, 18-10, who joined the MAC in 1992.
Here’s more on the two teams . . .
BOWLING GREEN FALCONS (1-3)
>> The Falcons have already been in two overtime games. One week before beating Marshall, BGSU lost to Eastern Kentucky 59-57 in seven overtime periods.
>> Bowling Green head coach Scot Loeffler hails from Barberton, Ohio, which is roughly eight miles from Akron’s InfoCision Stadium. Loeffler is in his fourth season at the Falcons helm.
>> Bowling Green head coach Scot Loeffler missed the Mississippi State game due to a personal health matter. Associate head coach/inside linebacker coach Steve Morrison was acting head coach in Loeffler’s absence. Loeffler is expected to return this week.
>> The Falcons last MAC-opening win was in 2015, when BGSU defeated Buffalo 28-22.
>> QB Matt McDonald is one of three FBS quarterbacks with 10+ passing touchdowns and zero interceptions. McDonald is No. 1 in the MAC and tied for No. 18 in the nation with 10 passing touchdowns. His 24.0 points responsible per game ranks No. 1 in the MAC and No. 6 in the nation. Three of his passing touchdowns have come in overtime.
>> McDonald missed the Mississippi State game, a 45-14 loss, due to an injury sustained against Marshall. Camden Orth made his first BGSU start after serving as the starting QB at LIU last season. • TE Christian Sims suffered an injury in practice and missed the MSU game as well. True freshman Harold Fannin Jr. made his first collegiate start and set career highs in receptions (5), receiving yards (49) and receiving TDs (1).
>> RB Ta’ron Keith is No. 6 in the nation among running backs with 16 receptions. Keith also has two receiving touchdowns, both coming in each of the last two overtime games. TE Christian Sims is No. 5 in the nation among tight ends with 4.3 receptions per game.
>> Bowling Green is tied for No. 5 in the nation with 14 team sacks. The 14 sacks lead the Mid-American Conference.
>> Bowling Green is tied for No. 1 in the nation with three blocked punts. The Falcons blocked a punt in each of their first three games this season.
AKRON ZIPS (1-3)
>> UA is led by first year Head Coach Joe Moorhead.
>> While Liberty won the scoreboard (21-12) last week, Akron edged Liberty in several statistical categories of a very close game. The Zips had more total yards (312-309), more first downs (19-18) and one less turnover (1-2).
>> Liberty put up the game’s first two scores for a 14-0 lead and registered the game’s final touchdown. The Zips hit two field goals (34, 26 yards) by Noah Perez before scoring their only TD with 14:21 remaining in the final period.
>> Akron managed just 52 yards rushing against LU; all 52 were provided by Cam Wiley on his 12 carries (4.3 ypc).
>> Junior quarterback DJ Irons tossed 52 passes versus Liberty, completing 29 for a total of 269 yards with one TD and one interception. On the year, he has completed 63 percent of his passes with three scores and the one pick.
>> Irons has been sacked 15 times through four weeks.
>> Linebacker Bubba Arslanian leads all MAC defenders with an average of 10.8 tackles per game.
>> Shocky Jacques-Louis and Daniel George top UA receivers, each owning 21 catches for a combined 428 yards and one TD.
>> Akron ranks last among MAC teams in scoring (12.0 ppg) and 10th in scoring defense (39.8 ppg).
>> UA is last among MAC teams in both rushing (51.8 ypg) and rushing defense (211.0 ypg).
>> The Zips rank fifth (MAC) in passing offense (249.8 ypg) and sixth in pass defense (272.5 ypg).
The Chippewas and Rockets battle for a return to the win column as they open conference play at the Glass Bowl Saturday.
Central Michigan stayed with No. 14 Penn State early, and the game was tied at 14-all late in the second stanza. However, the Nittany Lions added three more TDs on the way to a 33-14 final score.
Toledo, meanwhile, rallied with two fourth quarter touchdowns to lead San Diego State. The Aztecs then drove 67 yards on nine plays for a touchdown to post a 17-14 SDSU victory.
Toledo leads the series with Central Michigan, 27-20-3. CMU won in Mount Pleasant last year, 26-23 in overtime. Toledo has won 10 of the last 12 meetings overall.
Here’s more on the two teams . . .
TOLEDO (2-2)
>> The Rockets outgained SDSU 376-282 and had a 24-14 advantage in first downs. However, Toledo committed four turnover to just one by the Aztecs.
>> DeQuan Finn completed 21-of-34 passes for 240 yards with one TD and three interceptions. He also ran 11 times for a total of 44 yards and one score.
>> DeMeer Blankumsee led UT receivers with eight catches totaling 112 yards. Davin Maddox notched six receptions for 43 yards, while senior tight end Jamal Turner caught an 11-yard TD.
>> Jacquez Stuart carried 14 times for a total of 54 yards.
>> Sophomore safety Maxen Hook led Rocket defenders with 10 tackles, including one sack and two TFL. Chris McDonald picked off an Aztec pass.
>> Senior defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson ranks second in the MAC with 5.5 tackles for loss
>> Toledo’s defense ranks first in the MAC in total defense (352.5). The Rockets also rank first in passing yards allowed (166.8), second in points allowed (26.0) and defensive passing efficiency (131.2).
>> Saturday’s game will be the 92nd Homecoming game in Toledo history. The Rockets are 63-28 in Homecoming games, including 2-1 vs. Central Michigan. Toledo lost last year’s Homecoming game to Northern Illinois, 22-20, breaking a streak of nine straight Homecoming wins.
>> Toledo’s offense ranks first in the MAC in scoring (31.8) and sixth in total offense (382.8). Sophomore quarterback Dequan Finn has completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 781 yards and six TDs. He is also the Rockets’ leading rusher with 252 yards and five scores
CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS (1-3)
>> Turnovers and offensive miscues cost CMU dearly against Penn State, short-circuiting offensive drives and setting up the Lions with short fields. The minus-four turnover margin on the day told part of the story.
>> QB Daniel Richardson completed 26-of-45 passes against PSU, good for 235 yards with two TDs and two interceptions. Jase Bauer also saw action, completing three-of-seven for 40 yards.
Richardson, who is third among MAC quarterbacks with an average of 281.0 passing yards per contest, came out of the Penn State game with an injury but is listed atop this week’s two-deep.
>> Central Michigan was limited to 88 yards on 23 carries for an average of 3.8 per rush. Lew Nichols III led the way with 13 carries for 67 yards (5.2 ypc).
>> Carlos Carriere recorded 11 receptions for 111 yards. The senior and tight end Joel Wilson lead the Chippewas with a combined 41 catches for 479 yards and four touchdowns -- three by Wilson. Six different players have at least one TD reception.
>> Carriere leads the MAC with an average of 85 receiving yards per game.
>> Central Michigan is third among MAC offenses in scoring (30.8 ppg) and fourth in scoring defense (32.3 ppg).
>> The Chippewas have converted 1-of-6 field goal attempts. However, CMU leads the conference in punting (40.7 ypk)
Defending MAC East champ Kent State begins defense of its crown Saturday when it hosts an Ohio team that wants to work its way back to the top. The Bobcats most recent MAC East title was in 2016. After slipping to 3-9 (3-5 MAC) during new Head Coach Tim Albin’s first year in 2021, Ohio starts MAC play with a 2-2 non-conference mark.
Kent State won last year’s matchup, 34-27.
Here’s more on the two teams . . .
OHIO BOBCATS (2-2)
>> The ‘Cats did not get their second win last year until a wild Nov. 2 win over rival Miami. They opened 2022 with a 41-38 home win over Florida Atlantic and last week defeated Fordham in Athens, 59-52. In between, Ohio fell on the road to Penn State and Iowa State.
>> Ohio’s 692 yards of offense against Fordham was a program record.The Rams, meanwhile, totaled 640 yards of offense. Fotis Kokosioulis accounted for half of that with 13 catches for 320 yards and four touchdowns.
>> The game’s final score was a 42-yard fumble return by Bryce Houston.
>> Redshirt junior QB Kurtis Rourke threw for a record 527 yards in the win over Fordham, breaking a record set in 1983.. He connected on 41 of 50 with four touchdowns through the air and ran for another while picking up 45 yards on 10 trips.
>> Freshman kicker Nathanial Vakos has a perfect record going as he has been successful on all 13 PAT attempts and five field goals. His long is 45 yards.
>> The Bobcats are averaging 30 points, 102.3 yards rushing and 313.7 yards per game while passing.
>> Sieh Bangura (167 yards, 1 TD) and Nolan McCormick (122 yards) are both averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
>> Keegan Wilburn returned a kickoff 98 yards versus Fordham.
>> Ohio ranks sixth (MAC) in scoring offense (30.0 ppg) and 11th in scoring defense (44.8 ppg).
>> The ‘Cats are first among MAC teams in passing offense (313.8 ypg) and last in pass defense (376.3 ypg). They are second in pass offense efficiency and last in defensive pass efficiency.
KENT STATE (1-3)
>> KSU had one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation. In addition to No. 1 Georgia, the Flashes also lost to No. 7 Oklahoma and Washington on the road. KSU won its only non-conference home tilt, blasting Long Island 64-10.
>> The Golden Flashes have won ten-straight home games, the 10th longest streak in the FBS and a new program record breaking the streak set September 1949 through October of 1951 and again October of 2011 through August of 2013.
>> The Flashes did something that only Alabama has done the last two seasons, -- score 20+ points on the Georgia Bulldogs, dropping 22 last week on the top team in the nation. Georgia came into the game having only allowed 10 points all season, Kent State had 13 at the half.
>> Quarterback Collin Schlee completed 14 of 21 attempts against Georgia, good for 174 yards with one TD and one interception. He was sacked three times. On the year, he has connected on 61.8 percent of his passes with four TDs and three scores.
>> KSU tops the MAC in rushing yardage (189.3 ypg). Marquez Cooper is fourth among MAC rushers, averaging 67.5 ypg.
>> Kicker Andrew Glass has gone 6-for-7 this season on field goals, including 3-for-3 at Georgia with two hits from 45 yards.
>> Devontez Walker had another splash play against UGA, with a 56 yard TD catch and run...Walker is averaging 16 yards per catch and three scores this season, both top-5 in the MAC
>> The KSU defense forced the first three turnovers against Georgia this season. Khalib Johns has thrived in the new defensive scheme, averaging a sack a game...that pace leads the MAC and is tied for 10th in the FBS.
>> After hosting Ohio, KSU has road tests at Miami and Toledo over the following two weeks.
Western Michigan is one of two MAC teams playing non-conference games this week at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo. The Broncos host FCS-member New Hampshire Saturday, with the Wildcats bringing a 3-1 record into this week’s contest. All three wins were against Colonial Athletic Association.
This is the first matchup between WMU and New Hampshire.
Here’s more on the two teams . . .
NEW HAMPSHIRE (3-1)
>> The Wildcats have made 16 FCS postseason playoff appearances, reaching the quarterfinals nine times and semifinals once (2013). The most recent playoff appearance was 2017.
>> It’s the dawn of a new era for New Hampshire football with the ascension of Rick Santos to head coach following the retirement of legendary coach Sean McDonnell. Santos did serve as UNH interim head coach for the 2019 season, when the Wildcats defeated a pair of nationally-ranked teams and went 5-0 at Wildcat Stadium.
>> UNH’s only loss was a 45-27 setback to undefeated North Carolina Central. The Wildcats bounced back last week with a 37-14 victory at Towson. New Hampshire was up 17-0 at intermission and extended its advantage to 24-0 before Towson dented the scoreboard.
>> The UNH offense produced 194 yards through the air and 171 on the ground.
>> Sophomore QB Max Brosmer connected on 17 of 23 attempts with three TDs to three different receivers. Joey Corcoran was one of the three, grabbing six balls for 71 total yards.
>> Junior Dylan Laube (5-10, 207) averaged 5.0 ypc while totaling 114 yards on 23 carries to pace the UNH ground game. He also scored the Wildcats first touchdown with a 92-yard punt return.
Laube is No. 2 in the nation in all-purpose yards per game (188.5) and leads the nation in punt return average (21.7). He is one of 16 players with a punt return touchdown. In other stats, Laube is No. 8 in rushing yards (423). No. 9 in total TDs (six), No. 12 in rushing TDs (five), and No. 14 in rushing yards per game (105.8).
>> The Wildcats rank No. 10 in the nation -- and atop the CAA leaderboard -- in sacks with an average of 3.75 per game. UNH is also in the Top 20 in sacks allowed at #19 (1.25 sacks allowed per game).
>> The Wildcats opened last Saturday’s game at Towson with a successful onsides kick by Nick Mazzie recovered by Adam Deese. That play set up a 9-play, 38-yard drive that gave UNH a 3-0 lead.
>> Redshirt freshman Nick Mazzie made all three field goal attempts last Saturday at Towson on distances of 25, 25 and 42 yards. He has converted 15 of 16 PATs on the season.
>> Sophomore quarterback Max Brosmer has a 140.6 QB efficiency rating through four games. He’s completed 72 of 117 passes (61.5%) for 835 yards and eight touchdowns; he has been sacked five times and thrown two interceptions.
WESTERN MICHIGAN (1-3, 1-0 MAC)
>> The Broncos only win so far was a big one as WMU edged Ball State 37-30 in Week Two. Of the three losses, two were to top-25 teams: No. 15 Michigan State (35-13) and No. 23 Pittsburgh (34-13).
>> WMU is regrouping this week after a stinging 34-6 loss at San Jose’ State last Saturday. The Broncos only score was a 90-yard kickoff return by Sean Tyler in the third quarter.
>> Western Michigan is averaging 288 ypg but managed just 201 of total offense against San Jose’ State.
>> R-Freshman QB Jack Salopek was out against SJSU and “looking good” for a possible return this week, according to Head Coach Tim Lester. Maryohn Hrabowski and Stone Hollenbach shared duties last week, combining to complete 8 of 13 for 71 yards with one interception.
>> WMU lost the turnover battle with San Jose State, 3-1.
>> The Broncos rank 11th among MAC teams in scoring offense (17.3 ppg) and are sixth in scoring defense (33.3 ppg).
>> Western Michigan is eighth (MAC) in rushing (132.0 ypg) and 11th in pass offense (163 ypg). >> Junior Sean Tyler leads Bronco rushing with 55 carries for 255 yards (4.6 ypg) and two touchdowns. LaDarius Jefferson (6-1, 238) has three TDs -- all against Ball State in Week Two.
EMU aims to break a five-game homecoming losing streak Saturday when it hosts UMass at Rynearson Stadium.
The Eagles will try to bounce back from a MAC loss to Buffalo last week.
Meanwhile, the Minutemen, one of seven college football independents, have just one win to their credit so far this season. That was a 20-3 victory over Stonybrook. UMass was outscored 125-10 during losses to Tulane, Toledo and Temple.
UMass leads the all-time series 2-1-0. Eastern Michigan won last year’s meeting 42-28. Both teams produced over 500 yards of offense (EMU 507, UMass 519). Five of the Eagles’ six touchdowns came on the ground, with Darius Boone Jr. scoring twice.
Here’s more on the two teams . . .
UMASS MINUTEMEN (1-3)
>> The Minutemen are coming off a 28-0 loss to Temple. The Owls led 7-0 at intermission and pulled away with 14 third quarter points before a final TD early in the final frame.
>> UMass totaled 259 yards of offense, with just 80 yards through the air. Three quarterbacks combined to complete 11 of 26 passes with two interceptions. On the season, junior Gino Campiotti has completed 49 percent of his passes with one TD and four interceptions. He also leads the team in rushing (54 carries, 242 yards and a touchdown).
>> UMass has forced opponents into seven turnovers this season (four interceptions, three fumbles).
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (2-2)
>> The Eagles two non-conference wins came against Eastern Kentucky (42-34) and Arizona State (30-21).
>> EMU’s two losses were at Louisiana and at home against Buffalo.
>> The Eagles trailed UB 30-24 at intermission Saturday. Darius Boone Jr.’s 1-yard run at 10:38 of the third period put the hosts in front 31-30. However, Buffalo followed with 20 straight points to pick up the win.
>> Senior QB Taylor Powell sat out the Buffalo game. However, he was listed atop this week’s two-deep.
>> The Green and White put together four trips inside the Bulls’ 20-yard line, and came away with points on each. The Eagles are a perfect 17-for-17 in its red zone trips this season, coming away with points in each trip thus far. Tied for first nationally in the category, Eastern is one of just 13 teams who are still perfect inside the 20 this season.
>> UB owned a 498-327 advantage in total yards and 29-13 edge in first downs. Eastern Michigan committed the game’s only turnover.
>> Sophomore Austin Smith connected on 12 of 19 passes, good for 190 yards with one TD and one interception. He also led Eagle rushing, logging 12 carries for 74 total yards and a score.
>> Senior Tanner Knue turned three catches into 106 yards and a touchdown. He tops all Eagle receivers on the season, registering 18 catches for 291 yards and four TDs.
>> EMU saw two season-long plays against UB. Offensively, Knue’s 67-yard reception is the team’s longest play from scrimmage, while Jaylon Jackson’s 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown is the Eagles’ best return of the campaign. Additionally, it marks the first time this season that Eastern has recorded two plays of 40 yards or more.
>> Kicker Jesus Gomez has hit all 16 PAT attempts and has been perfect on four field goal tries. His long thus far is 40 yards. He is one of just three kickers in the Mid-American Conference and 24 kickers nationally that is yet to slip up this season.
>> Senior linebacker Chase Kline had a career-best outing against Buffalo, Sept. 14, as he registered a team-high 14 stops against the Bulls. Kline leads all Eastern Michigan players with 35 total tackles this season. Additionally, he has led EMU in single-game tackles in three of the team’s four games in 2022.
>> Eastern’s victory over Arizona State was more than exciting - it was historic. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Eastern’s win is the first regular season triumph for any Mid-American Conference institution over a member of the PAC-12.