The Eagles host an FCS side that’s already pulled off one big upset in the MAC.
With two wins out of three matches so far in the 2024 season, the Eastern Michigan Eagles look to continue their promising start in the final tilt before the conference slate against a foe who should be familiar to most MAC fans by now.
Game Info:
- Date and time: Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 2 p.m. Eastern time
- Where: Crosby Field at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan
- TV options: This game will not be televised due to it being a streaming exclusive.
- Streaming options: The game will be available exclusively via ESPN+. A valid subscription is required for viewing.
- Radio options: Tom Helmer (play-by-play) and Rob Rubick (color) will provide the EMU call for WEMU-FM 89.1
- Weather: Sunny, with a high near 87 degrees Fahrenheit.
Getting to know the Red Flash
Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK
The St. Francis [PA] Red Flash have been here before.
In Week 2, they went to Kent, Ohio and took advantage of the many mistakes made by what could be the worst program in the FBS, beating Kent State 23-17 in a stunner. Since then, they lost their first conference game to Central Connecticut State 27-20. (If they sound familiar, they lost in blowout fashion to Central Michigan in Week 1 and will play UMass this weekend.)
The Red Flash have played three different quarterbacks this year. Jeff Hoenstine, who engineered St Francis’s win against Kent State, is listed as the backup this game. Starting this time is Nick Whitfield Jr., who previously logged 121 passing yards in the Red Flashes’ season opener loss to Dayton. Also on offense is running back DeMarcus McElroy, whose 274 rushing yards on the year is good for third in the Northeast Conference, and whose 91.3 yards per game is 27th in the FCS. Receiver Gavin Thomson has 190 yards on the year, 4th in the NEC, and third in the NEC among receivers with at least ten receptions with 17.3 yards per catch.
While the SFU offense is still looking for the engine to turn over, the defense is motoring along. Their 77.7 rushing yards allowed per game and 20.7 points allowed per game is good for third and joint-22nd in the FCS, respectively, and Paul Tangelo is second in the NEC with five tackles-for-loss and three sacks. Pierre Royster and Fran Brown Jr. are tied for team leader in total tackles, with 21 each.
Getting to know the Eagles
Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Despite a bowl appearance, last year was a disappointing one for the Eastern Michigan Eagles, and many wondered if Eastern would see a full regression this year.
However, head coach Chris Creighton’s rebuilding program seems to be going very smoothly. Eastern’s only loss of the year was to a Washington side experiencing significant roster turnover, and thus a lot of growing pains; 21 of the Huskies’ 30 points came in the second quarter. Eastern rebounded from a disappointing outing by taking Sun Belt side Jacksonville State to double overtime in a thrilling 37-34 win.
This was Cole Snyder’s breakout game as an Eagle. His 273 yards passing and two touchdowns, as well as 70.27 percent completion percentage and 10.5 yards per completion, are what Eastern was hoping he’d be able to produce when they snagged him from Buffalo in the offseason. Tight end Max Reese had a big day, as well. He set career highs with four receptions, 64 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Oran Singleton led the Eagles in yards receiving last week, with 89 over eight catches.
Justin Jefferson—no, not that Justin Jefferson—is tied for first in the MAC and 12th nationally by averaging a sack a game, with three on the year, bringing his career total to 6.5 and is 0.5 away from matching his total from last year. But the big story for Eastern right now is on special teams.
Kicker Jesús Gómez is, to put it lightly, on one. He is 8-of-9 on field goals this year, tied for the NCAA and MAC leading position with 2.97 made FGs per game. He is an additional perfect 9-of-9 on extra point attempts. His 10 points per game is good for a tie for first in the MAC with Ohio’s Anthony Tyus.
Eastern is starting to put together a winning campaign when they were predicted to falter, and St Francis’s offense still needs to find consistency being kept from them by a game of musical chairs at the quarterback position—something Eastern is painfully familiar with. The Eagles should take care of business on Saturday.