By EVAN MEYER
There will be plenty of green Saturday in Ypsilanti as the Ohio Bobcats travel north to battle the Eastern Michigan Eagles in the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools.
Ohio, the pre-season MAC East favorite in preseason media and coaches polls, comes . . .
There will be plenty of green Saturday in Ypsilanti as the Ohio Bobcats travel north to battle the Eastern Michigan Eagles in the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools.
Ohio, the pre-season MAC East favorite in preseason media and coaches polls, comes . . .
. . . into Saturday with a 2-1 record after defeating Kansas at home. EMU had the week off after beating Rutgers from the Big Ten on the road.
OHIO BOBCATS (2-1)
● The Bobcats rebounded from their first loss of the season at Purdue with a 47-30 win over the Kansas Jayhawks from the Big 12 last Saturday at Peden Stadium.
● In its first three games of 2017, Ohio is averaging 40.7 points and 422 yards offensively.
● The ‘Cats are led by sophomore QB Nathan Rourke, who made his second straight start last week. He has completed 67 percent of his passes (33-of-49) for 435 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
● Junior A.J. Ouellette leads the running game with 203 yards on 33 carries with two touchdowns. He was named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week with 102 yards and a touchdown against KU. The receivers are headed by another junior in Papi White, who has 11 receptions for 165 yards and a score. The offensive line has allowed just two sacks
● The Cats defense has allowed 24.7 points and 372.3 yards per game
● The defense is led by fifth year senior LB Quentin Poling, who has 18 total tackles (nine solo). In addition, the defensive 11 has nine sacks so far (led by junior LB Evan Croutch with 2 ½) and one interception (by junior CB Jalen Fox)
● Head coach Frank Solich is 9-3 in MAC openers (7-5 on the road)
THE SERIES
Saturday marks the 32nd lifetime meeting between the two schools with the Bobcats holding an 18-12-1 advantage. EMU ended a six-game losing streak in the series last year with a 27-20 win at Peden Stadium in Athens. The last meeting in Ypsilanti was 2013 -- a 56-28 Bobcat victory
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (2-0)
● The Eagles were last in action on September 9 in the shadows of New York City when they defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights from the Big Ten 16-13 for the program’s first ever win over the Power five school.
● EMU is averaging 20 points and 385 yards. The Eagles are led by Brogan Roback, who has completed 61 percent of his passes (41-of-67) for 527 yards and a touchdown.
● The running game is powered by junior RB Shaq Vann who has rushed for 157 yards. The receivers are led by senior WR Sergio Bailey and Antoine Porter, who each have 10 receptions Bailey for 185 yards, Porter for 136 and a score. The offensive line has allowed two sacks in the first two games
● The Eagles defense has given up just 20 total points and just 303 yards in their wins over RU and Charlotte.
● The defense is led by sophomore DB Brody Hoying and junior DL Jeremiah Harris who each has 11 total tackles. Hoying has a pair of interceptions for 106 yards including a 35-yard return for a touchdown against the 49ers. The defense has registered five interceptions and three sacks.
● EMU last won a conference opener at home in 2011 when it defeated Akron 31-23.
OHIO BOBCATS (2-1)
● The Bobcats rebounded from their first loss of the season at Purdue with a 47-30 win over the Kansas Jayhawks from the Big 12 last Saturday at Peden Stadium.
● In its first three games of 2017, Ohio is averaging 40.7 points and 422 yards offensively.
● The ‘Cats are led by sophomore QB Nathan Rourke, who made his second straight start last week. He has completed 67 percent of his passes (33-of-49) for 435 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
● Junior A.J. Ouellette leads the running game with 203 yards on 33 carries with two touchdowns. He was named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week with 102 yards and a touchdown against KU. The receivers are headed by another junior in Papi White, who has 11 receptions for 165 yards and a score. The offensive line has allowed just two sacks
● The Cats defense has allowed 24.7 points and 372.3 yards per game
● The defense is led by fifth year senior LB Quentin Poling, who has 18 total tackles (nine solo). In addition, the defensive 11 has nine sacks so far (led by junior LB Evan Croutch with 2 ½) and one interception (by junior CB Jalen Fox)
● Head coach Frank Solich is 9-3 in MAC openers (7-5 on the road)
THE SERIES
Saturday marks the 32nd lifetime meeting between the two schools with the Bobcats holding an 18-12-1 advantage. EMU ended a six-game losing streak in the series last year with a 27-20 win at Peden Stadium in Athens. The last meeting in Ypsilanti was 2013 -- a 56-28 Bobcat victory
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES (2-0)
● The Eagles were last in action on September 9 in the shadows of New York City when they defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights from the Big Ten 16-13 for the program’s first ever win over the Power five school.
● EMU is averaging 20 points and 385 yards. The Eagles are led by Brogan Roback, who has completed 61 percent of his passes (41-of-67) for 527 yards and a touchdown.
● The running game is powered by junior RB Shaq Vann who has rushed for 157 yards. The receivers are led by senior WR Sergio Bailey and Antoine Porter, who each have 10 receptions Bailey for 185 yards, Porter for 136 and a score. The offensive line has allowed two sacks in the first two games
● The Eagles defense has given up just 20 total points and just 303 yards in their wins over RU and Charlotte.
● The defense is led by sophomore DB Brody Hoying and junior DL Jeremiah Harris who each has 11 total tackles. Hoying has a pair of interceptions for 106 yards including a 35-yard return for a touchdown against the 49ers. The defense has registered five interceptions and three sacks.
● EMU last won a conference opener at home in 2011 when it defeated Akron 31-23.
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