
Peden Stadium – Athens, OH
ESPN3
Ohio is riding three-game win streak, with a setback at Tennessee being the only Bobcats loss over the last five outings. Eastern Michigan, meanwhile, has had a three-game win skein broken last week with a home loss against Toledo.
Here's more on both teams . . .
-- The Eagles are off to their best start in years, with their only losses being at Missouri in Week Two and last Saturday against Toledo.
-- The winning ways, and maybe a nearby opponent, helped EMU draw 21,412 to the "Factory" Saturday. It was the 10th largest crowd in Rynearson Stadium history.
-- Quarterback Brogan Robach completed 20 of 38 passes for 255 yards with one TD and one interception againt the Rockets. It was easily his most attempts, completions and passing yardage this season. He has completed 56.1 percent of his passes overall and ranks eighth among MAC quarterbacks in passing efficiency. Junior QB Todd Porter has been out with a shoulder injury.
-- Eastern Michigan totaled 62 yards on 20 carries against the Rockets.
-- Ian Eriksen leads EMU rushing with 98 carries for 404 yards (4.1 ypc) and five TDs.
-- Freshman Breck Turner (6-1, 202) has three TDs among his 38 carries for 206 yards.
-- Junior Sergio Bailey II leads the Eagles receiving corp with 26 catches for 329 yards and two touchdowns.
-- Eastern Michigan is fourth in scoring offense and tied for seventh in scoring defense.
-- Kicker Paul Fricano converted both field goal tries, including a 44-yarder, against Toledo. He is 8 of 10 on the season.
-- Linebackers Ike Spearman and Kyle Rachwal each notched 11 tackles Saturday. Rachwal, a sophomore, is seventh among MAC defenders in tackles with an 8.5 tpg average. Pat O'Conner is tief for fourth in sacks (4.5).
OHIO BOBCATS (4-2, 2-1 MAC)
-- OU has beaten Eastern Michigan in nine of the last 10 meetings, including six straight coming this week’s matchup.
-- Ohio leads the nation in team sacks, averaging 4.17 per game. They also rank third in turnover margin (+1.67) and turnovers gained (16). Four of the latter came last week against BG.
-- The ‘Cats were up 23-7 at the half Saturday, but managed just one more score in a 30-24 homecoming victory over Bowling Green.
-- Redshirt freshman safety Jason Hagan was named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week.
-- Senior DE Tarell Basham has 214.5 career sacks – tops in Ohio history. He is currently fourth on the NCAA active career sacks leader list.
-- Quarterback Greg Windham completed 20 of 27 for 190 yards with one TD and one pick last week. He has hit 56.3 percent of his passes on the year (111 of 197 for 1,179 yards with 8 TDs and 3 interceptions). Windham is fourth in total offense, averaging 249.7 ypg.
-- The ‘Cats ran for 183 yards (with three TDs) against Bowling Green. Bo Hardy stepped in to lead the ground game with 83 yards on 16 trips. Sophomore Maleek Irons contributed two scores while carrying 10 times for 64 yards.
-- Linebacker Quentin Poling is averaging 8.2 tackles per game (tied for 8th in MAC). He owns 5.5 tfl and 2.0 sacks.
-- Sebastian Smith grabbed five passes for 79 yards and a TD against the Falcons. Both Smith and Jordan Reid have 24 catches and three touchdowns for the year.
-- Freshman kicker Louie made one of two FG tries last week. His 45-yarder – one stripe short of his season long -- split the uprights.