Contenders with goals in play meet in an important late season matchup
If you can only catch one MACtion this week, this would be a good choice in what figures to be a highly competitive affair with plenty at stake when Ohio (6-3, 4-1 MAC) hosts EMU (5-4, 2-3 MAC).
Ohio comes into the contest after locking up bowl eligibility last week and are MAC title contenders in a four-way tie for first at 4-1 with Bowling Green, Miami, and Western Michigan. A win over EMU is critical to keep pace in the championship race with just three games remaining.
The Eagles are looking to rebound from back-to-back losses by a total of five points that have them on the outside looking in when it comes to the title race. However, EMU has a lot to play for including a sixth win to lock up bowl eligibility.
What both teams bring to this game is pretty well defined at this point late in the season. We take a look at both teams after some game notes.
Game notes
- Time and date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 7:00 ET
- Location: Frank Solich Field (AKA “The Frank”) at Peden Stadium
- TV network options: The game will be available exclusively on ESPN2. A valid subscription is required for viewing. Jay Alter (play-by-play) and Rocky Boiman (color) will be on the call.
- Radio options: Tom Helmer (play-by-play) and Rob Rubick (color) will provide the EMU call for WEMU 89.1 FM while Marty Bannister (play-by-play) and Rob Cornelius (color) will provide the Ohio call for WXTQ-FM 105.5.
- Gambling considerations: Ohio are nine-point favorites, with an over/under of 49.5, per DraftKings.
- All-time series: Ohio leads the all-time series 20-12-1, with Ohio winning the prior two games.
About the Eastern Michigan Eagles
Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Eagles started the season strong in the standings, soaring to a 5-2 record but have been grounded the last two weeks in close losses to Akron and Toledo.
Against Akron, EMU stormed back from a 18-0 halftime deficit to take a 21-18 lead, but they were unable to hold it as the Zips scored the game winning touchdown late in the fourth.
The reverse happened against the Rockets as the Eagles had a 19-7 lead heading into the fourth but could not hold on as Toledo won the final quarter 22-9. EMU had a chance to win in the final moments but lost by a few fingertips. With a Hail Mary touchdown completed and the score 29-28, the Eagles went for the two-point conversion and the win. On the play, Eastern successfully schemed their target wideout in single coverage but the pass was broken up at the last second by Rockets’ cornerback Avery Smith.
The Eagles head to Ohio looking to get back in the win column and to do so their defensive mission is clear: slow down Ohio’s rushing attack. Ohio’s offensive attack is based in the running game where they have rushed for over 200 yards four of five conference games this year including three games over 250 yards.
EMU’s defense surrendered about 232 rushing yards on average in the three weeks prior to the Toledo game but got better with only 167 allowed against the Rockets. At his weekly press conference, EMU head coach Chris Creighton explained the improvement in run defense:
“We did a really good job last week stopping the run, they got some explosive plays like the first play of the game but…our front, defensive line and linebackers played much better, and I’d even say much harder.”
Spearheading the effort last week for the Eagles defense were linebackers Luke Murphy and James Djonkam who each racked up 11 stops.
Offensively, EMU has a dynamic group of playmakers who are capable of scoring any given week, and head into the contest ranked second in the MAC with just over 29 points per contest on average.
The Eagles run a lot of offensive plays, leading the MAC with 701 snaps so far this season.
The player distributing those snaps is veteran dual threat quarterback Cole Snyder who has averaged 300 yards passing per contest the last three weeks. Overall, Snyder has over 2,000 yards passing this year, hitting 60% of his throws while throwing for 11 scores against only three interceptions.
The Eagles feature one of the conference’s more productive trios at wideout where Oran Singleton, Terry Lockett Jr., and Markus Allen have combined for 121 receptions, 1,460 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns.
Adding to the potent arsenal is tight end Max Reese, who is a factor with 23 catches for over 200 yards and two scores.
The Eagles rushing attack features Delbert Mims III who leads the club with 558 yards rushing, 4.0 yards per carry, and seven rushing touchdowns, which are second most in the MAC.
Snyder is also a factor on the ground from the QB spot, with 274 yards rushing despite being sacked 25 times so far this season.
About the Ohio Bobcats
David Yeazell-Imagn Images
Ohio enters the contest after cruising in back-to-back blowout wins. Two weeks ago, the Bobcats battered the Bulls 47-16 in what was probably their most complete team win of the season.
Last week, the ‘Cats took care of business on the road trip to Kent State, dispatching the injury-depleted Golden Flashes in a whitewash, 41-0.
The Bobcats’ defense has probably been the most consistent unit on the season. With every week that passes, the 20 points allowed to South Alabama in week two looks more and more impressive as Jaguars enter Week 12 ranked high in many offensive categories and have scored 30 or more points in five games so far.
While solid on the scoreboard throughout the season against competitive opponents, the Bobcats flashed an explosive element against contender Buffalo a few weeks back which they hope continues. Against the Bulls, the Bobcats accounted for nine points while racking up seven tackles for loss, four sacks, and three turnovers.
Setting the base defensively is a defensive front which has very good depth, particularly on the edges. The unit has plenty of productive players including defensive end Bradley Weaver who is tied for fourth in the MAC with five sacks while defensive tackle Cam Rice is 8th best with 7.5 tackles-for-loss, contributing three sacks.
Behind the defensive line, the Bobcats feature WILL linebacker Blake Leake and Mike Shay Taylor, who have combined for 94 stops this year.
Countering the Eagles’ potent passing attack is one of the league’s better secondaries so far with cornerbacks Tank Pearson and Roman Parodie, nickel DJ Walker, and safety Dustin Johnson leading the charge. Walker was shaken up last week and did not return to play in the blowout versus Kent State.
The return of Adonis Williams Jr. from an early season injury should be important down the stretch as he has been a playmaker at both safety and nickel.
Offensively, Ohio looks to keep winning behind a rushing attack that is ranked second after five conference games with 228 yards per game average.
Quarterback Parker Navarro is one of the MAC’s biggest rushing threats, leading all quarterbacks with 556 yards rushing while good for 8th most overall including running backs.
Anthony Tyus III returned last week after missing the Buffalo game with an injury suffered against Miami. The Bobcat bruiser is second in the MAC with 694 yards on the ground and third with six rushing touchdowns.
Completing the three-headed monster for the ‘Cats this year is Rickey Hunt Jr., boasting a 5.4 yard per carry average and 348 yards rushing.
In the passing game, Navarro leads the club with 1,359 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Bobcats run a lot of short and intermediate routes but will uncork some deep shots to keep teams honest against the run or otherwise to take advantage of the defense.
When Navarro goes to the air, one of four guys are usually there including wideouts Coleman Owen, Rodney Harris II, Chase Hendricks, and tight end Mason Williams. Owen is one of the conference’s most productive as he ranks in the top 10 in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns with 48 grabs for 748 yards and five touchdowns.
Owen is also part of a dangerous punt return team that broke a 61-yarder for a score last week versus the Golden Flashes.
Speaking of special teams, the ‘Cats put the league on notice last week about the explosive speed of players like wideout Eamonn Dennis who shocked the home crowd with an electric 96-yard touchdown on kickoff return.