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Know the Opponent: Eastern Michigan
August 17, 2017 | Football
Over the course of six weeks, BGSUFalcons.com has broken down the 12 opponents that BGSU Football will face during the 2017 season. The Falcons' final game of the regular season will be at Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, Nov. 21. The game is set for a 7 pm start and will be broadcast on ESPNU or ESPN3.
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SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
SEASON TICKET BENEFITS (SPARK PAGE)
ROAD GAME TICKET PRICES/SALES INFORMATION
FOOTBALL TICKETS PAGE
MOST IMPROVED
Eastern Michigan was one of seven teams tied for the honor of being the nation's most improved football program. After a dismal 1-11 record in 2015, the Eagles went 7-6 and played in their first bowl game in 29 years. They were one of just 25 schools to earn an 'A' when USA Today ranked the seasons of all FBS teams.
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PREVIOUS KNOW THE OPPONENT FEATURES
MICHIGAN STATE
SOUTH DAKOTA
NORTHWESTERN
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
AKRON
MIAMI
OHIO
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
KENT STATE
BUFFALO
TOLEDO
BROGAN'S BALL
Fifth-year quarterback Brogan Roback has been playing under center since the moment he arrived in Ypsilanti in 2013. It took until 2015, though, for him to evolve into the talent Coach Creighton believed he would be. The 1-11 record aside, Roback used 2015 as a breakout year, passing for 2,304 yards and 16 touchdowns at a 61 percent completion rate. In 2016's bowl season, he threw for 2,694 yards and 18 touchdowns at a 59 percent completion rate. He incorporated his legs more, too, rushing for 223 yards and two scores. Athlon Sports ranked Roback as 46th among all 130 starting quarterbacks in FBS.
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THE LINE IS KEY
Brogan's ability to throw for big numbers will depend on how well the offensive line can replace three starters, two of whom were all-conference. Junior Jimmy Leatiota is the notable returner with starting experience. He played in all 13 games last season. Last year's O-line helped the Eagles average 296.1 passing yards per game and 159.1 rushing yards per game that resulted in an average of 29.62 points per game. Leatiota's ability to lead the new guys could help an Eagles offense that ranked 35th in the country improve even more in 2017.
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TRUST IN CHRIS
Head coach Chris Creighton's coaching career at EMU began with a dismal 2-10 record in 2014. It got even worse in 2015 when the team went 1-11. With some of his own recruiting classes developing and getting more playing time, 2016 proved to be a great success. The team's 7-5 regular season record earned them an invitation to the Popeyes Bahama Bowl. Though they lost to Old Dominion by a score of 24-20, fans see the game as a changing of the times for EMU Football.
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A WIN STOLEN
Eastern entered 2016's matchup with BGSU having lost 11 of the teams' last 12 meetings. But that did not phase the 4-1 Eagles as they defeated the 1-4 Falcons, 28-25. The Eagles won the first ever game between the schools by a score of 10-0 in 1919. Since, they have gone 11-25-1 against the Falcons.Â
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SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
SEASON TICKET BENEFITS (SPARK PAGE)
ROAD GAME TICKET PRICES/SALES INFORMATION
FOOTBALL TICKETS PAGE
MOST IMPROVED
Eastern Michigan was one of seven teams tied for the honor of being the nation's most improved football program. After a dismal 1-11 record in 2015, the Eagles went 7-6 and played in their first bowl game in 29 years. They were one of just 25 schools to earn an 'A' when USA Today ranked the seasons of all FBS teams.
Â
PREVIOUS KNOW THE OPPONENT FEATURES
MICHIGAN STATE
SOUTH DAKOTA
NORTHWESTERN
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
AKRON
MIAMI
OHIO
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
KENT STATE
BUFFALO
TOLEDO
BROGAN'S BALL
Fifth-year quarterback Brogan Roback has been playing under center since the moment he arrived in Ypsilanti in 2013. It took until 2015, though, for him to evolve into the talent Coach Creighton believed he would be. The 1-11 record aside, Roback used 2015 as a breakout year, passing for 2,304 yards and 16 touchdowns at a 61 percent completion rate. In 2016's bowl season, he threw for 2,694 yards and 18 touchdowns at a 59 percent completion rate. He incorporated his legs more, too, rushing for 223 yards and two scores. Athlon Sports ranked Roback as 46th among all 130 starting quarterbacks in FBS.
Â
THE LINE IS KEY
Brogan's ability to throw for big numbers will depend on how well the offensive line can replace three starters, two of whom were all-conference. Junior Jimmy Leatiota is the notable returner with starting experience. He played in all 13 games last season. Last year's O-line helped the Eagles average 296.1 passing yards per game and 159.1 rushing yards per game that resulted in an average of 29.62 points per game. Leatiota's ability to lead the new guys could help an Eagles offense that ranked 35th in the country improve even more in 2017.
Â
TRUST IN CHRIS
Head coach Chris Creighton's coaching career at EMU began with a dismal 2-10 record in 2014. It got even worse in 2015 when the team went 1-11. With some of his own recruiting classes developing and getting more playing time, 2016 proved to be a great success. The team's 7-5 regular season record earned them an invitation to the Popeyes Bahama Bowl. Though they lost to Old Dominion by a score of 24-20, fans see the game as a changing of the times for EMU Football.
Â
A WIN STOLEN
Eastern entered 2016's matchup with BGSU having lost 11 of the teams' last 12 meetings. But that did not phase the 4-1 Eagles as they defeated the 1-4 Falcons, 28-25. The Eagles won the first ever game between the schools by a score of 10-0 in 1919. Since, they have gone 11-25-1 against the Falcons.Â
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