Miami rallied late in the game to force overtime, However, in the second OT period, after matching a Black Knights touchdown to pull within one, MU elected to go for two points and the win. The RedHawks came up short, losing 31-30.
Regardless of how EMU might have felt -- or not felt -- about Miami’s fortunes, the scene was all to familiar for Eastern Michigan coaches, players and fans. By and large, it was pretty much a replay of how Army edged EMU last year in the same stadium.
They’ll meet again Saturday -- this time on Eagles turf. Aside from any payback motivation, EMU will be anxious to move a step closer to bowl eligibility. At 4-4, they need at least two wins over the fina four games. While the toughest MAC competition seems behind them, the Eagles can’t count wins before they hatch -- or something like that!!
ARMY WEST POINT BLACK KNIGHTS (4-3)
➤➤ Eastern knows what to expect -- a relentless ground attack that can wear teams down through the course of a game. If it goes into overtime, just rolling the dice on a two-point try can be pretty darn attractive.
➤➤ The Eagles took pride in holding the ball for 37:34 in the recent win at Ball State. However, Army is perennially one of football’s best ball possession teams. The Black Knights, in fact, top all FBS teams this year to date with an average of 39:13.
➤➤ It stems largely from a flex option offense that probes sideline to sideline. The Knights pass very little. Against Miami, they threw two passes -- both incomplete.
➤➤ Army averages 318.29 ypg on the ground, second only to Georgia Tech (352.43) and one spot ahead of arch-enemy Navy (310.14).
➤➤ Quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. keys the Army offense with swift feet and maybe even “swifter” decision making on options. The junior has carried 110 times for 496 yards (4.5 ypg) and has seven rushing scores.
➤➤ So Does senior workhorse Darnell Woolfolk, a 5-9, 235-pound hybrid of tough and rough. He has carried 114 times for a total of 459 yards (5.2 ypc). He has contributed seven touchdowns this year after registering 14 in 2017.
➤➤ Army is often tough to run against. Overall, the Black Knights rank 11th nationally, allowing 105.8 ypg on the ground. Miami managed just 77 yards one week after gashing Kent State for 295 rushing yards. Earlier in the season, Buffalo managed 103 on the ground, but Army handed UB its only defeat of this season, 42-13.
➤➤ Depending on field position, the Black Knights are often in a position to take quite a few fourth down chances. The Black Knights lead the country in fourth down conversions (88.8%) with 22 first downs on 25 tries. Army is fourth in the nation in converting third downs (53.9%).
➤➤ After visiting EMU, Army returns home for a big matchup against Air Force. Those two teams, along with Navy, battle annually for the Commander in Chief’s Trophy. Army and Navy finish their regular season Dec. 8 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
➤➤ EMU backed up its win over Toledo with a 42-20 thumping of Ball State last Saturday.
➤➤ Six different players scored touchdowns for Eastern at Ball State.
➤➤ Senior Tyler Wiegers completed 22 of 28 passes for a total of 257 yards with three touchdowns. On the season, he has completed 66.5 of his 161 pass attempts and is fourth among MAC quarterbacks in pass efficiency. He has thrown for eight TDs and just one interception despite being sacked 17 times.
The Eagles can also go with Mike Glass, who has completed 61.2 percent of his 85 pass attempts. He has six TD tosses and one interception.
➤➤ Blake Banham and Arthur Jackson lead the receiving corps with a combined 71 receptions for 948 yards and six touchdowns.
➤➤ The Eagles have 15 rushing and 15 passing scores.
➤➤ LB Kyle Rachwal tops EMU defenders with 71 tackles (8.0 tfl). Maxx Crosby has registered team highs in tackles for loss (10.0) and sacks (4.5).
➤➤ Sophomore Jake Julien ranks second (MAC) in punting average (44.3 yards per boot).