Tag: Eastern Michigan

Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Werts (4) is taken down by Eastern Michigan defensive lineman Maxx Crosby (92) during the Camellia Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Georgia Southern defeated Eastern Michigan 23-21. Jc Camellia 31

Eastern Michigan tabs Raiders’ Maxx Crosby as assistant GM

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Star pass rusher Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders became the first active NFL player to take an administrative position with an NCAA team, joining the Eastern Michigan football program as its assistant general manager on Monday, the university announced.

Crosby, 27, who starred at Eastern Michigan from 2016-18 and set the program record with 20 career sacks, will assist his alma mater in evaluating prospects, manage the NIL budget and assist the athletic director with alumni relations, student-athlete support and fundraising efforts.

“There is no place more important to my personal and athletic development than Eastern Michigan University,” Crosby said in a statement. “It truly is an honor for me to not only be named the Assistant GM of the EMU, but together with my wife Rachel, make another donation aimed at creating opportunities for other athletes to be impacted by the EMU program, community, students and alumni.”

Crosby, who along with his wife donated $1 million to Eastern Michigan’s football program in 2023, will match all donations to the football program made before the end up of May — up to $100,000 — as part of ” Maxx Match,” a fundraising challenge that he launched.

“Maxx Crosby’s return to EMU in this leadership role is a transformative moment for our football program,” athletic director Scott Wetherbee said in a release. “His passion, vision, and generosity are inspiring, and the Maxx Match is a powerful example of that. … With him on board, we’re building a better football program and a stronger future for EMU athletics.”

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension last month to become the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. The new leader is Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who landed a four-year, $160 million deal.

Crosby has 366 tackles and 59.5 career sacks in 95 games (89 starts) since the Raiders selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

He recorded a team-leading 7.5 sacks to go along with 45 tackles in 12 games (all starts) in 2024 before undergoing season-ending ankle surgery.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Will Rogers (7) during warmups before the game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Will Rogers notches 4 TDS as Washington downs Eastern Michigan

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Will Rogers passed for 261 yards and four touchdowns to lead Washington to a 30-9 home win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

Rogers went 21 of 26 passing and Jonah Coleman rushed for 104 yards on 11 carries for the Huskies (2-0).

The big difference was the second quarter, which saw Washington turn a 3-0 deficit into a 21-6 lead at halftime.

Trailing 3-0 after the first quarter, Washington got on track in the second and took a 7-3 lead with 9:37 remaining until halftime on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Rogers to Decker DeGraaf.

Following a 29-yard field goal by Eastern Michigan’s Jesus Gomez that made it a 7-6 game, Washington went up 14-6 on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Rogers to Denzel Boston. The score was set up by a 64-yard run by Coleman to the Eastern Michigan 16-yard line.

Late in the first half, Rogers and Boston hooked up again, this time for a 1-yard touchdown pass that gave the Huskies a 21-6 lead with 24 seconds remaining until halftime.

In the second half, Washington grabbed a 27-6 lead with 9:57 remaining in the third quarter on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Rogers to Jeremiah Hunter.

Grady Gross added a 28-yard field goal with 50 seconds to go in the third to make it a 30-6 lead for Washington.

Hunter caught five passes for 72 yards and Giles Jackson had six receptions for 66 yards to lead Washington, which overcame eight penalties for 100 yards.

Cole Snyder went 16 of 27 passing for 129 yards in defeat for Eastern Michigan (0-2), which had trouble protecting Snyder all game.

Washington collected seven sacks on the day and limited Eastern Michigan to 204 yards of total offense. The Eagles rushed for 75 yards on 37 carries as a team.

On the other side, Washington had 501 yards of total offense, 185 of which came running the ball.

–Field Level Media

Eastern Michigan football helmet during the MAC football media day at Ford Field on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.

Eastern Michigan apologizes for player’s postgame sucker punch

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Eastern Michigan’s athletic director released a statement Sunday condemning and apologizing for the actions of defensive back Korey Hernandez after the Eagles’ bowl game loss to South Alabama.

After South Alabama defeated Eastern Michigan 59-10 in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Saturday, players from South Alabama remained on the field while their marching band performed the school’s alma mater. Video that circulated online showed Hernandez run across the field by himself, without his own helmet on, and punched unsuspecting South Alabama cornerback Jamarrien Burt in the back of the head.

The move prompted a skirmish as South Alabama players came to Burt’s defense, and the teams had to be separated.

“We strongly condemn the actions of some of the student-athletes on the EMU football team in the ugly incident that took place following last night’s 68 Ventures Bowl,” Eastern Michigan athletic director Scott Wetherbee said in a statement Sunday. “We are deeply upset and embarrassed by what happened.

“Their conduct does not reflect the great pride and high standards we place on the game and our program, and the expectations for good sportsmanship and exemplary conduct of student-athletes on and off the field. What happened was completely unacceptable. We apologize to the Eastern Michigan University community and to the South Alabama team and their fans.”

Wetherbee said Eastern Michigan is “committed to sharing information and video to fully understand all that occurred.” The school is also in contact with the Mid-American Conference.

As of Sunday, no punishment had been determined or announced for Hernandez, who is a graduate student according to the team’s roster online.

“While we are disappointed in the incident that occurred following our team’s victory,” South Alabama athletic director Joel Erdmann said in a statement, “we are grateful to the leadership at Eastern Michigan University for taking ownership of the incident and reaching out to our leadership here at South Alabama to apologize and ensure us they will fully investigate the matter. We do not believe this incident is in any way reflective of the values of Eastern Michigan University or its football program. We hope this situation will not take away from the fact that the Jaguars are 68 Ventures Bowl Champions.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; South Alabama Jaguars quarterback Carter Bradley (2) celebrates after a South Alabama touchdown during an NCAA football game between Oklahoma State and South Alabama at Boone Pickens Stadium. South Alabama won 33-7. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports

South Alabama crushes Eastern Michigan in 68 Ventures Bowl for first ever bowl win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Gio Lopez threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as South Alabama notched its first ever bowl victory by pounding Eastern Michigan, 59-10, in the 68 Ventures Bowl at Mobile, Ala. on Saturday night.

Lopez had 192 passing yards and 88 rushing yards for the Jaguars (7-6). Desmond Trotter had a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown.

Jamaal Pritchett caught eight passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns and DJ Thomas-Jones also caught two touchdown passes for South Alabama, which played on its home field.

Cam’Ron McCoy had a 10-yard rushing touchdown for the Eagles (6-7).

Both teams had key offensive players missing.

Jaguars No. 1 quarterback Carter Bradley didn’t play due to a knee injury. Top running back La’Damian Webb sat out due to a toe injury. Top wideout Caullin Lacy transferred to Louisville.

Eastern Michigan’s No. 1 quarterback Austin Smith also entered the transfer portal after the regular season. Leading running back Samson Evans was sidelined by an undisclosed injury.

The Jaguars outgained the Eagles 417-27 in the first half while roaring to a 38-3 halftime lead.

South Alabama scored on its first drive, as Diego Guajardo kicked a 46-yard field goal.

Trotter hooked up with Jeremiah Webb for a 49-yard gain on South Alabama’s second possession. That set up Trotter’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Thomas-Jones.

Gio Lopez then got his chance to run the offense and South Alabama scored. Lopez’s 19-yard pass to Braylon McReynolds preceded Lopez’s 5-yard scoring pass to Pritchett.

Jesus Gomez’s 49-yard field goal in the opening minute of the second quarter put Eastern Michigan on the board.

The Jaguars answered with Kentrel Bullock’s 17-yard touchdown run to make it 24-3.

Following an Eastern Michigan turnover, South Alabama quickly scored again. This time, Lopez completed a 20-yard scoring pass to Thomas-Jones.

After another Eagles giveaway, the Jaguars scored the final points of the half. Lopez connected with Pritchett on a 42-yard scoring pass.

Trotter scored on a 3-yard run early in the second half for a 45-3 lead. Lopez scored the next touchdown on a 27-yard run.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; South Alabama Jaguars quarterback Carter Bradley (2) hands the ball off to South Alabama Jaguars running back Kentrel Bullock (14) against the Tulane Green Wave during the first half at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

South Alabama at home for 68 Ventures Bowl vs. Eastern Michigan

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South Alabama won’t have to venture far in the 68 Ventures Bowl. In fact, they’re not leaving their own campus.

The Jaguars have a home game, playing at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala., on Saturday against Eastern Michigan.

Both teams just barely qualified for a bowl, finishing 6-6 during the regular season.

The Jaguars, who lost to Western Kentucky in the New Orleans Bowl last season, are seeking the first bowl victory in program history.

“We’ve had a number of firsts over the last two years,” coach Kane Wommack said. “This is one that has been at the top of all of our lists. That’s a pretty great opportunity, to be able to check that box here in Mobile.”

South Alabama had a 10-3 record last year. This season was much more of a grind.

The Jaguars had a signature 33-7 win at Oklahoma State on Sept. 16 but lost four games during their Sun Belt schedule, including a 52-44 shootout at Texas State in the regular season finale.

Carter Bradley, a Toledo transfer, passed for 2,660 yards and 19 touchdowns with seven interceptions. However, his status for the bowl is uncertain due to a knee injury.

“We’re still kind of waiting to make sure Carter has as much time to rest that knee as he can,” Wommack said.

Leading rusher La’Damian Webb (1,007 yards, 16 touchdowns) will sit out due to a toe injury. Braylon McReynolds will replace him in the lineup. Top receiver Caullin Lacy (91 receptions, 1,316 yards) entered the transfer portal and since committed to Louisville.

South Alabama still is favored by more than two touchdowns.

“They’re super talented,” Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton said. “They’re very well-coached. They’ve got weapons on offense and defense. It always starts up front but yeah, we’re trying to figure them out, how we’re going to defend them and how we’re going to attack.”

The Eagles also have taken a major hit in the portal, as starting quarterback Austin Smith (1,775 passing yards, nine TDs, seven INTs) decided to leave.

“I don’t think there’s a single bowl game that’s not affected by it,” Creighton said of the transfers.

Samson Evans (635 yards, 12 TDs) is the team’s top rusher.

Following a 33-23 season-opening win over Howard, the Eagles never scored more than 28 points in regulation. They had a three-game losing streak entering their final two contests. They defeated Akron 30-27 in overtime and Buffalo 24-11 to qualify for a bowl.

Eastern Michigan downed San Jose State 41-27 in the Idaho Potato Bowl last season after losing to Liberty in the Lending Tree Bowl in 2021.

“He’s done a phenomenal job building consistency in his program,” Wommack said of Creighton. “They are a very detailed, very tough football team. They don’t make a lot of mistakes and they play a smart style of football. They’re going to make you earn it against them.”

The Eagles finished 9-4 last season but like the Jaguars, they had to earn a bowl bid the hard way this season.

“Record-wise, it probably wasn’t what they (South Alabama) expected,” Creighton said. “Maybe both teams fall into that category.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) celebrates running back Darius Taylors (1) touchdown during the second quarter against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota grinds out 25-6 win over Eastern Michigan

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Darius Taylor rushed for 193 yards and a touchdown as host Minnesota cruised to a 25-7 victory over Eastern Michigan on Saturday in Minneapolis.

A true freshman, Taylor rushed for just three yards last week in the Gophers’ season-opening win over Big Ten foe Nebraska. This time out, he paced a Minnesota rushing attack that piled up 296 yards. Taylor averaged 5.8 yards per-carry on 33 totes. It’s the most yards a Gophers running back has rushed for in a single game since Mohamed Ibrahim racked up 263 yards last November against Iowa.

Sean Tyler contributed with 93 yards on 17 carries for the Gophers.

The only other offensive touchdown was scored by Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis on a 1-yard dive. Kaliakmanis also completed 10 of 15 passes for 117 yards.

The score between the Gophers (2-0) and Eagles (1-1) was tied early in the second quarter after EMU’s Jesus Gomez connected on a 20-yard field goal to make it 3-3. Minnesota then put together a 13-play, 93-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard rushing score from Taylor to go up 10-3.

Minnesota and EMU then exchanged field goals before Kaliakmanis’ scoring plunge put the Gophers ahead by two possessions.

The Gophers’ defense was stout in the win, tallying three sacks, three pass breakups and an interception. Minnesota held EMU to 3-for-10 on third-down conversions and forced the Eagles to punt five times, one of which was blocked for a Minnesota safety in the fourth quarter.

Samson Evans led EMU with 73 rushing yards on 11 carries. Austin Smith completed 9 of 20 passes for 71 yards for the Eagles.

Minnesota kicker Dragan Kesich was 3-of-3 on field goal attempts and his longest kick came from 24 yards out. He also notched touchbacks on all six of his kickoffs.

This game was the first-ever meeting between Minnesota and Eastern Michigan.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) prepares waits for the snap against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota to show Eastern Michigan more than just a ground game

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Minnesota will go for back-to-back wins to open the season when it hosts Eastern Michigan on Saturday night in Minneapolis.

The Golden Gophers (1-0) are coming off a thrilling finish to their season debut. Minnesota rallied in the fourth quarter for a 13-10 win over Nebraska, which included a toe-tap touchdown from wideout Daniel Jackson with 2:32 remaining.

“That’s a catch that goes on the wall forever,” Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck said. “That’s a catch you’ll never forget.”

Now, Fleck hopes his team can use the highlight as a springboard to a successful season.

Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis had a surprisingly heavy workload in the opener, when he completed 24 of 44 passes for 196 yards, one touchdown and one pick. Running back Sean Tyler led the team with only 10 carries for 41 yards.

That runs counter to Minnesota’s typical ground-and-pound approach, but Fleck said he wanted to be flexible this season in terms of calling plays.

That will give Eastern Michigan (1-0) something more to consider before it heads west for a nonconference showdown. The Eagles are coming off a 33-23 home win over Howard.

Quarterback Austin Smith completed 19 of 28 passes for 175 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Eastern Michigan in its season debut. Samson Evans had 16 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown out of the backfield.

Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton is looking for his fifth win over a Power Five opponent since he took over the program. Creighton has overseen wins against Rutgers (2017), Purdue (2018), Illinois (2019) and Arizona State (2022).

Creighton said a tough challenge awaits his team.

“This opponent is really tough,” he said. “They’re big and strong and their athletes are really good, and they’re well coached.

“It’s one of the things I’ve always thought with Coach Fleck and his teams. People talk about the program part a lot, as they should, but I think sometimes people don’t talk enough about how well coached they are on the field. I think they’re really, really well coached.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 20, 2022; Boise, Idaho, USA; Eastern Michigan Eagles quarterback Taylor Powell (7) runs for a first down during the first half of action of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl against the San Jose State Spartans at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor Powell, E. Michigan beat San Jose St. at Idaho Potato Bowl

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Taylor Powell passed for 298 yards and two touchdowns to Darius Lassiter and Samson Evans rushed for 82 yards and two scores to help Eastern Michigan defeat San Jose State 41-27 on Tuesday at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho.

Eastern Michigan (9-4) responded from an early deficit to finish with the second-most victories in a season in school history and claim its first bowl victory since a win against San Jose State in the 1987 California Bowl.

San Jose State (7-5) outgained the Eagles 498-416 but ultimately was unable to recover from a 33-0 Eastern Michigan run spanning parts of the first three quarters. Spartans quarterback Chevan Cordeiro scored on a 27-yard run just 1:08 into the game and threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Justin Lockhart just more than seven minutes later.

The Eagles blocked the ensuing point-after, with Tristen Hines returning it to the end zone for two points. Eastern Michigan followed with four touchdowns before the close of the first half for a 30-13 lead.

San Jose State stopped the Eagles’ surge with a sparkling touchdown with 5:28 to play in the third quarter, as Cordeiro connected with Nick Nash for a 17-yard score. Nash, a former quarterback, leapt to snag a contested pass near the right pylon. The point-after drew the Spartans within 33-20.

The teams traded touchdowns after that, and the Spartans had the opportunity to move within one score after Powell was intercepted in the end zone with 4:42 to play. The Eastern Michigan defense responded with its third interception of the game on the ensuing possession to seal the victory.

The Spartans entered the game with just six turnovers this season, tied for the fewest among FBS schools.

Jaylon Jackson rushed for 54 yards for the Eagles, including a 31-yard touchdown. Lassiter had six receptions for 108 yards.

Cordeiro was 26-for-44 passing for three touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 50 yards and a score.

Isaiah Hamilton had five catches for 137 yards and a TD. Elijah Cooks added six catches for 93 yards.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2022; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Eastern Michigan Eagles running back Samson Evans (22) pushes Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back D.J. Taylor (3) down at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. Football Asu Fb

Like it’s 1987: Eastern Michigan, San Jose State meet in a bowl once again

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Eastern Michigan and San Jose State might not have extensive bowl histories in their respective programs, but believe it or not, there is bowl history with one another.

When the teams collide on Dec. 20 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, it will be the second meeting in a bowl game between the Eagles and Spartans.

The teams also met in the 1987 California Bowl, where Eastern Michigan earned what still is its only bowl win in school history, a 30-27 triumph.

Now, 35 years later, the teams will hook up in the postseason once again.

Eastern Michigan enters with an 8-4 record and will be making its seventh appearance all-time in a bowl game. It is also the fourth time in the last five seasons the Eagles will be in a bowl game.

The Eagles have lost all four of those games, but three of them were by a combined 10 points.

Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton said not only does the team want to get over that hump and win its first bowl game in more than three decades, but also hoist another trophy after claiming the Michigan MAC Trophy after wins over rivals Central and Western Michigan this year.

“That was the first time our guys have hoisted a trophy,” Creighton said. “The postgame was a ton of fun and we want to do it again.”

The Eagles are led on offense by senior running back Samson Evans (1,084 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns) and on defense by end Jose Ramirez, who was named the Mid-American Conference’s Defensive MVP after registering a single-season school record 12 sacks.

San Jose State enters with a 7-4 mark and will be playing in a bowl game for the 12th time ever and second time in the last three seasons.

The Spartans are seeking their first bowl win since a 27-16 win over Georgia State in the 2015 Cure Bowl.

“We’re playing an incredible opponent and I think it’s going to be a great show for everyone to watch,” San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan said.

The Spartans are led on offense by quarterback Chevan Cordeiro (2,884 passing yards, 20 touchdowns) and wideout Elijah Cooks (63 receptions, 983 yards, 10 touchdowns), and on defense by Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Viliami Fehoko (9 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss).

–Field Level Media

September 17, 2022; Tempe, Arizona; USA; Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kejuan Markham (12) returns an interception against the Eastern Michigan Eagles during a game at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Breen-USA TODAY Sports

Eastern Michigan pummels Arizona State in stunner

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Samson Evans rushed for a career-high 257 yards and a touchdown to lead Eastern Michigan to a 30-21 victory Saturday over host and heavily favored Arizona State at Tempe, Ariz.

The Eagles (2-1) became the first team from the Mid-American Conference to defeat a team from the Pac-12 in the regular season. The Sun Devils were favored by 20.5 points.

Eastern Michigan, which never trailed, built a 24-14 lead at halftime behind 307 yards of total offense in the first half. Four of the five possessions for the Eagles in the first half ended with a field goal and three touchdowns.

Taylor Powell of Eastern Michigan completed 10 of 14 pass attempts for 93 yards with an interception before leaving the game with a shoulder injury with 12:00 left in the second quarter. Austin Smith finished the half and completed four of six passes for 60 yards with a touchdown.

Smith led two touchdown drives in the second quarter, the first a 13-play, 75-yard possession that was capped by his 6-yard pass Hassan Beydoun with 8:11 left in the half to put Eastern Michigan ahead 17-7.

Arizona State (1-2) had 127 yards of offense in the first half. The Sun Devils had most of those yards in a lengthy drive (75 yards in 11 plays) that was capped by Emory Jones rushing for a 3-yard touchdown with 2:53 remaining in the half.

Smith’s 42-yard pass to Tanner Knue to the Arizona State 10 was followed two plays later with Evans’ 3-yard touchdown run with 1:12 left in the half to put the Eagles ahead 24-14.

Eastern Michigan increased its lead on Jesus Gomez’s 40-yard field goal with 7:04 left in the third quarter.

Arizona State’s Xazavian Valladay rushed for a 44-yard touchdown with 10:48 left to cut the lead to 27-21.

Valladay, who had only 16 yards on the ground in the first half, ran for 127 yards, achieving his third straight game with more than 100 yards.

Two long runs by Evans, a transfer from Iowa, set up Gomez’s 20-yard field goal with 4:24 remaining that put the Eagles ahead 30-21.

Arizona State’s last drive ended with a fumble by Jaylin Conyers in Eastern Michigan territory with 2:01 left.

–Field Level Media