Eastern Michigan
10th MAC2-10
Ohio State
3rd Big Ten11-1
Eastern Michigan @ Ohio State preview
Ohio Stadium
Eastern Michigan looks like a sacrificial lamb entering Saturday's game at No. 2-ranked Ohio State.
The Eagles are 0-3 and coming off a 52-14 loss to Central Michigan, which doesn’t make the prospect of playing Ohio State (3-0) very appealing. It’s the first-ever meeting.
Ohio State's defense has been overpowering, having allowed only two touchdowns and forcing 12 turnovers in three games. The Silver Bullet defense leads the nation with a 3.33 turnover margin and hasn’t allowed an opponent to rush for 100 yards in 26 games, the second-longest streak in the nation. The Buckeyes are averaging 5.3 three-and-outs and had eight last week against Ohio University.
Top defenders have included Chimdi Chekwa, who had two interceptions and six tackles against Miami. Safety Tyler Moeller had seven tackles, a sack and caused a fumble against Marshall. They anchor a club that ranks first in the Big Ten in total defense (236.3 yards per game). Ross Homan is the leading tackler (21) and has an interception, a caused fumble and a recovered fumble.
The Ohio State offense is pretty formidable, too. It all starts with junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who is 22-3 at the team’s starter. Pryor averages 238.3 yards passing and 293.3 total yards per game. He recently moved ahead of two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin and into eighth place in career total offense at Ohio State. Pryor set a school record with 16 consecutive completions against Ohio.
The top running threat for the Buckeyes has been Brandon Saine (158 yards, two touchdowns), while Dan Herron (137 yards, three TDs) and Jaamal Berry (103 yards) also have been effective. DeVier Posey (13 catches, 208 yards) and Dane Sanzenbacher (11 catches, 208 yards) are Pryor’s top receiving targets. The special teams are strong, too; Devin Barclay had a school-record five field goals in the win over Miami and is tied for the NCAA lead with 2.67 field goals made per game.
Eastern Michigan is led offensively by quarterback Alex Gillett, who has thrown for 350 yards and four touchdowns. He’s been intercepted three times and has an efficiency rating of 119.00. Gillett also has rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown. Dwayne Priest has rushed for 199 yards and three touchdowns.
The Eagles’ defense features two senior linebackers: Nick Howey, who leads the Mid-American Conference with 34 tackles, and Tim Fort, who is fifth in the conference with 29 tackles. The biggest pass rusher is Javon Reese, who has four tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. But Eastern Michigan has forced only three fumbles and intercepted just one pass.
The Eagles are 0-3 and coming off a 52-14 loss to Central Michigan, which doesn’t make the prospect of playing Ohio State (3-0) very appealing. It’s the first-ever meeting.
Ohio State's defense has been overpowering, having allowed only two touchdowns and forcing 12 turnovers in three games. The Silver Bullet defense leads the nation with a 3.33 turnover margin and hasn’t allowed an opponent to rush for 100 yards in 26 games, the second-longest streak in the nation. The Buckeyes are averaging 5.3 three-and-outs and had eight last week against Ohio University.
Top defenders have included Chimdi Chekwa, who had two interceptions and six tackles against Miami. Safety Tyler Moeller had seven tackles, a sack and caused a fumble against Marshall. They anchor a club that ranks first in the Big Ten in total defense (236.3 yards per game). Ross Homan is the leading tackler (21) and has an interception, a caused fumble and a recovered fumble.
The Ohio State offense is pretty formidable, too. It all starts with junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who is 22-3 at the team’s starter. Pryor averages 238.3 yards passing and 293.3 total yards per game. He recently moved ahead of two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin and into eighth place in career total offense at Ohio State. Pryor set a school record with 16 consecutive completions against Ohio.
The top running threat for the Buckeyes has been Brandon Saine (158 yards, two touchdowns), while Dan Herron (137 yards, three TDs) and Jaamal Berry (103 yards) also have been effective. DeVier Posey (13 catches, 208 yards) and Dane Sanzenbacher (11 catches, 208 yards) are Pryor’s top receiving targets. The special teams are strong, too; Devin Barclay had a school-record five field goals in the win over Miami and is tied for the NCAA lead with 2.67 field goals made per game.
Eastern Michigan is led offensively by quarterback Alex Gillett, who has thrown for 350 yards and four touchdowns. He’s been intercepted three times and has an efficiency rating of 119.00. Gillett also has rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown. Dwayne Priest has rushed for 199 yards and three touchdowns.
The Eagles’ defense features two senior linebackers: Nick Howey, who leads the Mid-American Conference with 34 tackles, and Tim Fort, who is fifth in the conference with 29 tackles. The biggest pass rusher is Javon Reese, who has four tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. But Eastern Michigan has forced only three fumbles and intercepted just one pass.