Will this be the week?
Will this be the week that Eastern Michigan finally ends up on the winning side of the final score?
Odds aren’t with the Eagles, who face MAC West co-leader Northen Illinois in Dekalb Thursday. The Huskies (5-2, 3-0 MAC) have won three straight and five of their last six outings. The only loss over the past six games was to No. 19 San Diego State.
After a scary 14-13 win over . . .
Will this be the week that Eastern Michigan finally ends up on the winning side of the final score?
Odds aren’t with the Eagles, who face MAC West co-leader Northen Illinois in Dekalb Thursday. The Huskies (5-2, 3-0 MAC) have won three straight and five of their last six outings. The only loss over the past six games was to No. 19 San Diego State.
After a scary 14-13 win over . . .
. . . Buffalo nearly two weeks ago NIU blasted Bowling Green 48-17 Saturday. A huge date with West co-leader Toledo looms Nov. 2, but there’s a VERY frustrated Eastern Michigan squad coming to town Thursday.
The Eagles have lost five straight – all by seven or less points and two in overtime. Still another was a 28-27 loss when a two-point conversion failed in the game’s final minute.
The Eagles have lost five straight – all by seven or less points and two in overtime. Still another was a 28-27 loss when a two-point conversion failed in the game’s final minute.
The Eagles and Huskies have met 47 times in a series that dates back to 1927. NIU holds the advantage 31-14-2 and has won the last nine contests. EMU’s last win was a 21-19 decision at DeKalb in 2007.
This year’s contest brings together two of the MAC’s better defenses. EMU and NIU hold the top two ranks among MAC teams in total, scoring and first down defense.
Eastern ranks first in the MAC in pass defense and fourth down situations, while Northern sits atop the conference in rushing defense, interceptions, sacks and third down defense.
Here’s more on the two teams:
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (2-6, 0-3 MAC)
>> The Eagles are allowing 19.9 ppg AND allowing 19.9 ppg.
>> EMU is last among MAC team in rushing (93.9 ypg) and second in pass offense(274.4 ypg).
>> Quarterback Brogan Roback is second among MAC passers in yardage and sixth in pass efficiency.
>> Senior Sergio Bailey is third among MAC receivers in receptions (5.9 per game) and third in receiving yardage (79.9 ypg).
>> Despite the overtime loss last week, EMU registered a season-best in total offense (461) passing yards (308 and rushing yards (153).
>> In the 20-15 loss to Toledo, Oct. 7, EMU’s defense held the potent Rocket offense to its fewest point total since Sept. 12, 2015, against the University of Arkansas. Coming into the game, UT was averaging 42 points per game. In addition, Toledo put up 419 total yards after coming into the contest averaging 521.8.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS (5-2, 3-0 MAC)
>> The Huskies rallied from a 21-point first half deficit to defeat Eastern Michigan, at Rynearson Stadium on Nov. 16, 2016 in NIU’s third overtime game of the season. It was the largest comeback win for the Huskies since NIU rallied from 20 points down in the 2011 MAC Championship.
>> Senior Jordan Huff ranks fourth (MAC) in rushing (75.0 ypg). NIU is fourth in rushing offense (191.6 ypg) and first in rushing defense (107.6 ypg).
>> Injuries have forced NIU to once again use a third quarterback. Freshman Marcus Childers is 10th among MAC passers, averaging 99.0 ypg. He is third, however, in pass efficiency.
>> Wide receivers Christian Blake and Spencer Tears are separated by one catch, one touchdown and six yards receiving through seven games this season. Blake leads the team with 26 receptions for 296 yards and three touchdowns, while Tears has 25 catches for 290 yards and four TDs.
>> Northern tops the league with 13 interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns. The Huskies are No. 1 in pass defense efficiency.
>> NIU’s defense has been significantly better this year. How much better? It is allowing more than 20 less points and 200 yards below the seven game averages from a year ago.
>> The Huskies forced a season-high five turnovers Saturday at Bowling Green. That brings its season total to 13 – the second most in FBS.
This year’s contest brings together two of the MAC’s better defenses. EMU and NIU hold the top two ranks among MAC teams in total, scoring and first down defense.
Eastern ranks first in the MAC in pass defense and fourth down situations, while Northern sits atop the conference in rushing defense, interceptions, sacks and third down defense.
Here’s more on the two teams:
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (2-6, 0-3 MAC)
>> The Eagles are allowing 19.9 ppg AND allowing 19.9 ppg.
>> EMU is last among MAC team in rushing (93.9 ypg) and second in pass offense(274.4 ypg).
>> Quarterback Brogan Roback is second among MAC passers in yardage and sixth in pass efficiency.
>> Senior Sergio Bailey is third among MAC receivers in receptions (5.9 per game) and third in receiving yardage (79.9 ypg).
>> Despite the overtime loss last week, EMU registered a season-best in total offense (461) passing yards (308 and rushing yards (153).
>> In the 20-15 loss to Toledo, Oct. 7, EMU’s defense held the potent Rocket offense to its fewest point total since Sept. 12, 2015, against the University of Arkansas. Coming into the game, UT was averaging 42 points per game. In addition, Toledo put up 419 total yards after coming into the contest averaging 521.8.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS (5-2, 3-0 MAC)
>> The Huskies rallied from a 21-point first half deficit to defeat Eastern Michigan, at Rynearson Stadium on Nov. 16, 2016 in NIU’s third overtime game of the season. It was the largest comeback win for the Huskies since NIU rallied from 20 points down in the 2011 MAC Championship.
>> Senior Jordan Huff ranks fourth (MAC) in rushing (75.0 ypg). NIU is fourth in rushing offense (191.6 ypg) and first in rushing defense (107.6 ypg).
>> Injuries have forced NIU to once again use a third quarterback. Freshman Marcus Childers is 10th among MAC passers, averaging 99.0 ypg. He is third, however, in pass efficiency.
>> Wide receivers Christian Blake and Spencer Tears are separated by one catch, one touchdown and six yards receiving through seven games this season. Blake leads the team with 26 receptions for 296 yards and three touchdowns, while Tears has 25 catches for 290 yards and four TDs.
>> Northern tops the league with 13 interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns. The Huskies are No. 1 in pass defense efficiency.
>> NIU’s defense has been significantly better this year. How much better? It is allowing more than 20 less points and 200 yards below the seven game averages from a year ago.
>> The Huskies forced a season-high five turnovers Saturday at Bowling Green. That brings its season total to 13 – the second most in FBS.
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