EMU took a tough loss to the upstart JSU last year on the road, can they return the favor this time around?
The first signs of trouble for the Eastern Michigan Eagles last season were visible in Jacksonville, Alabama, as they were thoroughly dominated in a 21-0 loss that certainly felt closer to a 42-0 loss.
The calendar has turned 52 times since that match-up, and now, a refreshed Eagles squad looks to take sweet revenge in their opening shift at The Factory against Jacksonville State, the team which sent EMU into the doubting doldrums last year.
Let’s dig in on what will be the second-ever meeting between the two sides:
Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at 7 p.m. Eastern time
- Location: Crosby Field at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This is the debut game for the newly-minted turf.
- Viewing options: The game will be available exclusively via ESPN+. A valid subscription is required for viewing. Doug Sherman (play-by-play) and Tyoka Jackson (color) will provide the commentary.
- Radio options:
- Gambling considerations: EMU is a one-point favorite at home, with an over/under of 54.5, per DraftKings.
- All-time series: Jacksonville State won the first-ever meeting between these two schools last season in shutout fashion on Sept. 23, 2023.
Getting to know the Gamecocks
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The Gamecocks love to do two things on offense: run the ball and run the ball fast.
Jacksonville State was third at the FBS level in 2023 in rushing yards per game (236.6), while also leading the top division in time seconds per play, dropping in at a whopping 20.3 seconds.
In fact, the Gamecocks eclipsed over 100 yards rushing in 25 of their last 26 games under head coach Rich Rodriguez— whose name might be familiar to many in Washtenaw County— with 13 contests under “Rich Rod” seeing his team go over 200 ground yards.
Running the ball has been a little difficult the last two weeks for JSU, but quarterback Tyler Huff has proven to be a dynamic presence, with 101 yards rushing and a touchdown last week against Louisville. Huff has been the primary pass-thrower, completing 24-of-41 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns, with three interceptions.
Behind him in the backfield will be running backs Tre Stewart (eight rushes, 71 yards, one touchdown) and Anwar Lewis (15 rushes, 41 yards.) Stewart, a new arrival from D-II Limestone (SC) College, had 11 total touchdowns (nine rushing, two receiving) last season to go along with 1,652 total yards, while Lewis contributed four touchdowns to the JSU cause last season.
In the receiving game, Michael Pettway leads all JSU receivers with five receptions, 122 yards and a touchdown, while last year’s team touchdowns leader Sean Brown has one score to go with two catches so far in the 2024 campaign.
Defensively, this team is (wait for it) predicated on stopping the run and creating turnovers.
They were 20th in the NCAA in stopping the run in 2023, averaging 115.5 yards per game. EDGE rusher J-Rock Swain highlights at the defensive end spot, with 27 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, four sacks and two fumble recoveries last season. Swain has so far picked up where he left off, with 2.5 tackles-for-loss in just two contests in 2024. Transfer safeties lead the tackle charts, with Pat Taylor (Georgia) up top at 24 stops and Antonio Carter II (Notre Dame) at 19 two games in.
Last year saw the Gamecocks finish ninth in turnover margin (+9), with the fifth-most interceptions in the country (16) and the ninth-most forced fumbles (15.)
So far, JSU is 0-2, with losses to Coastal Carolina and Louisville. Neither game has been particularly close, with the Chanticleers clearing the Gamecocks by 28 and the Cardinals speeding past by a 35-point margin.
The Gamecocks will look to rebound on the road in the spoiler position against an EMU team which plays into their strengths.
Getting to know the Eagles
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EMU’s offense had a day to forget last time these two teams met. EMU was not only shut out, they were also held under 200 total yards and and held to less than 10 first downs— all of which currently stand as records for the JSU defense.
The hope heading into 2024 is two-fold: 1) the venue is more friendly and 2) the quarterback problem is largely fixed.
Cole Snyder has performed admirably since his arrival from Buffalo, tossing for 370 yards and a touchdown on 60 percent completion, while also rushing for 82 yards gained before sacks and a touchdown through two games. JSU should be the first opponent where he can really flex his ability after games against UMass and Washington back-to-back.
Former NC State back Delbert Mimms (24 carries, 90 yards, one touchdown) and former Weber State back Dontae McMillan (24 carries, 87 yards) have split carries in the offensive backfield for the Eagles, with Akron via JUCO transfer Oran Singleton (nine catches, 90 yards, one touchdown) and Butler CC product Markus Allen (seven catches, 88 yards) leading the way for receivers.
The team has been a little more uneven on defense, which is understandable given the caliber of opponents to this point. Arizona State transfer James Djonkham (14 tackles) and Coastal Carolina transfer JT Killen (12 tackels) man the center of the defense, with Justin Jefferson’s team-leading two sacks manning the defensive line. EMU’s defense went to lunch on UMass, accumulating six sacks— including five in the first half— with six players contributing at least a half-sack apiece. It’ll be a fun watch to see if EMU’s defense can get home against a JSU line that allowed only two sacks to Louisville last week despite being outmatched.
Special teams has been a saving grace for EMU over the years, and this year is no different. Jesus Gomez went a perfect 3-of-3 last week vs. Washington on the road and has yet to miss this season, while Mitchell Tomasek, a Ray Guy Award watchlister, returns after averaging 45.7 yards per punt in 2023. The Eagles also blocked two Washington field goals last week, putting them at joint-top of the FBS in the category.