20 Eagles Named to Football Academic All-MAC Team
Making the Academic All-MAC team were: redshirt freshman Darius Boone Jr. (Tulsa, Okla.-Union), sophomore Steve Bird (Phoenix, Ariz.-Sandra Day O’Connor), sophomore Matthew Buschman (Brighton, Mich.-Brighton), senior Jake Donnellon (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Gabriel Richard), junior Dylan Drummond (Cleveland, Ohio-Cuyahoga Heights), junior Korey Hernandez (Decatur, Ga.-Cedar Grove-Arkansas-Iowa Western C.C.), junior Joey Hiser (Dexter, Mich.-Dexter), sophomore Alex Howie (Canton, Mich.-Salem), sophomore Marcellus Johnson (Normal, Ill.-Normal Community), redshirt freshman Broderick Jordan (Lansing, Mich.-Okemos), junior Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio-Mason), redshirt freshman Alex Merritt (Cincinnati, Ohio-Moeller), senior Thomas Odukoya (Almere, Netherlands-Helen Parkhurst-Garden City C.C.), redshirt freshman William Racely (Flushing, Mich.-Flushing), junior Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest), junior Tariq Speights (Valencia, Calif.-Valencia-College of the Canyons), sophomore Carter Stagner (Birmingham, Mich.-Seaholm), redshirt freshman Lucas Tesznar (Ottawa Lake, Mich.-Whiteford), junior Grant Trueman (Chino Hills, Calif.-Chino Hills-Citrus College), and senior Mike Van Hoeven (Paw Paw, Mich.-Paw Paw).
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport.
Donnellon earned the recognition for the fourth time, while Van Hoeven is a three-time honoree. In total, 190 student-athletes received the honor.
The 2020 season will go down as one of the most unique seasons in EMU football history, as the team played just six games, all against conference opponents, to safely manage competition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike numerous teams around the MAC, EMU was lucky to play in each of its scheduled contests, finishing with a 2-4 overall record, and 2-3 mark in West Division Play.
EMU was incredibly effective in the red zone on both sides of the ball during the 2020 season. Offensively, EMU led the nation with a 100 percent red zone scoring clip. The Eagles produced points in 28-of-28 trips inside the opponent’s 20-yard line this season, a 22.5 percent improvement over last season’s efficiency. In total, 21 of EMU’s red zone trips resulted in touchdowns. Additionally, the team averaged 4.66 trips to the red zone per game in 2020, a considerable improvement from EMU’s 2019 numbers (3.8 trips per game).
Defensively, the Eagles ranked eighth nationally in the red zone. EMU’s opponents left the red zone scoreless eight times in 28 attempts, making EMU the best red zone defense in the MAC.
Ticket information and attendance policies for the 2021 season will be announced at a later date.
EMU kicks off the year at home against Saint Francis University (Pa.), Sept. 3, before traveling to the University of Wisconsin, Sept. 11. Eastern remains on the road with a trip to Amherst, Mass. to take on former MAC foe, the University of Massachusetts, Sept. 18. The non-conference schedule concludes Sept. 25 with a home date against Texas State University.
Eastern Michigan will host four Mid-American Conference opponents: Ball State, Miami, Ohio, and Western Michigan. MAC road games will be at Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, and Toledo.
2020 Academic All-MAC Football Team
Akron (11)
Ryan Beckman, Fr. (R), Business Administration, 3.309
Brandon Bischof, Jr., Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy, 3.206
Zach Dilauro, So. (R), Accounting, 3.698
Jerry Fitschen, Sr. (R), Sport Science/Physical Education, 3.567
Logan Hawkins, So. (R), Sport Management, 3.572
Cameron Lyons, Jr. (R), Sport Science, 4.00
Shawn Naim, Fr. (R), Biology, 3.306
Julian Richardson, So., Sport Management, 3.677
Alex Robarge, Fr. (R), Civil Engineering, 3.661
Corey Thomas, Fr. (R), Business Administration, 3.296
Bryce Wilson, So., Sport Management, 3.254
Ball State (26)
Chris Agyemang, Grad, 3.667, MBA (grad school)
Christian Albright, Senior, 3.311, Psychological Science
Curtis Blackwell, Senior, 3.695, Business Administration
Brock Burns, R-Junior, 3.852, Communication Studies
Clayton Coll, Sophomore, 3.927, Biology
Bryce Cosby, Senior, 3.360, Telecommunications
Antwan Davis, Grad, 3.704, Athletic Coaching Education (grad school)
Jimmy Daw, R-Junior, 3.375, Business Administration
Anthony Ekpe, Grad, 3.556, MBA (grad school)
Tye Evans, R-Sophomore, 3.290, Social Work
Joseph Greenwood, Senior, 3.235, Business Administration
Hank Grenda, R-Junior, 3.330, Exercise Science
Will Jones, R-Junior, 3.351, Business Administration
Kendal Kendrick, R-Junior, 3.212, Sport Administration
Jack Knight, R-Freshman, 3.875, Accounting
Dylan Koch, R-Senior, 3.767, Information & Communication Sciences (grad school)
Brandon Martin, R-Junior, 3.221, Marketing
Cole Pearce, R-Sophomore, 3.551, Geography
Drew Plitt, R-Senior, 3.567, MBA-Finance (grad school)
Cody Rudy, R-Senior, 3.261, Family and Child (grad school)
Jack Sape, R-Sophomore, 3.361, Business Administration
Kaleb Slaven, R-Senior, 3.21, Business Administration degree (now in MBA grad program)
Nathan Snyder, Senior, 3.24 Marketing degree (now in MBA grad program)
Anthony Todd, R-Senior, 3.556, MBA (grad school)
J.T. Wahee, Grad, 3.333, Athletic Coaching Education (grad school)
Jordan Williams, R-Junior, 3.675, Accounting
Bowling Green (12)
Darren Anders, Soph., 3.627, Pre-Exercise Science
James Carolan, Sr., 3.310, Sport Management
Derek Downs, RS Jr., 3.603, Sport Management
Brock Horne, RS Fr., 3.808, Construction Management
Matt McDonald, RS Jr., 3.204, Individualized Studies
Presley Motes, RS Sr., 3.823, Master’s in Business Administration
Jordan Murphy, RS Jr., 3.565, Construction Management and Technology
Matt Naranjo, RS Sr., 3.477, Aviation Studies
Nate Needham, RS Sr., 3.440, Aviation Studies
Jake Rogers, Soph., 3.500, Business Administration
Cameron Stage, RS Soph., 3.341, Sport Management
PaSean Wimberly, RS Fr., 3.225, Architecture
Buffalo (16)
Evan Davis – Sophomore, 3.2 GPA, Criminology
Jake Fuzak – Senior, 3.2 GPA, Media Study
Ron Cook – Sophomore, 3.3 GPA, Communication
Rich Miller – Sophomore, 3.3 GPA, Exercise Science
Cory Gross – Sophomore, 3.3 GPA, Social Science Interdisciplinary
Eric Black – Junior, 3.4 GPA, Business Administration
Zac Lefebvre – Senior, 3.4 GPA, Social Science Interdisciplinary
Evan Finegan – Junior, 3.4 GPA, Business Administration
Mike Novitsky – Sophomore, 3.4 GPA, Communication
Bence Polgar – Redshirt-Freshman, 3.4 GPA, History
Tyrone Hill – Senior, 3.5 GPA, Social Science Interdisciplinary
Dominic Johnson – Senior, 3.6 GPA, Educational Studies
Jovany Ruiz – Senior, 3.7 GPA, Public Health
Alex McNulty – Sophomore, 3.7 GPA, Biology and Physics
Dom Polizzi – Redshirt-Freshman, 3.8 GPA, History
Jack Klenk – Senior, 3.8 GPA, Communication
Central Michigan (9)
Hunter Buczkowski, Senior, 3.26, Physical Education
Luke Elzinga, Redshirt Freshman, 3.32
Tyden Ferris, Sophomore, 3.27
Cade Klimczak, Redshirt Freshman, 3.56
Oakley Lavallii, Senior, 3.42, Entrepreneurship
Mark Patritto, Junior, 3.33, Business Administration
Bernhard Raimann, Junior, 3.84, Actuarial Science
Derek Smith, Senior, 3.25, Sociology
Robi Stuart, Senior, 3.85, Neuroscience
Eastern Michigan (20)
Mike Van Hoeven, Senior, 4.00, Master’s student in Exercise Physiology
Chad Ryland, Junior, 3.79, Supply Chain Management
Tanner Knue, Sophomore , 3.72, Computer Science Applied
Jake Donnellon, Senior, 3.65, Master’s student in Exercise Science
Dylan Drummond, Junior, 3.64, Finance
Matthew Buschman, Sophomore, 3.62, Finance
Joey Hiser, Junior, 3.58, Communication
William Racely, Sophomore, 3.58, Marketing
Thomas Odukoya, Senior, 3.57, Master’s in Sport Management
Alex Merritt, Redshirt freshman, 3.55, Exploratory
Darius Boone Jr., Redshirt freshman, 3.55, Communication
Broderick Jordan, Redshirt freshman, 3.52, Accounting
Carter Stagner, Junior, 3.49, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Lucas Tesznar, Redshirt freshman, 3.45, Finance
Alex Howie, Sophomore, 3.35, Supply Chain Management
Grant Trueman, Senior, 3.35, Sport Management
Marcellus Johnson, Sophomore, 3.32, Construction Management
Tariq Speights, Junior, 3.29, General Business
Steve Bird, Sophomore, 3.23, Biology
Korey Hernandez, Senior, 3.20, Economics
Kent State (10)
Keshunn Abram Sr. 3.21, Accounting
Dean Clark, Soph. 3.70, Business Management
Dustin Crum, Sr 3.43, Aerospace Engineering
Adam Dutka, Sr 3.38, Education
Kesean Gamble, Sr. 3.24, Criminology
Daniel Johnson, R-So, 3.39, Sociology
AJ Musolino, R-Jr, 3.37, Marketing
Matt Trickett, Jr. 3.89, Accounting
Isaac Vance, R-Jr, 3.6, Sports Administration
Xavier Williams, Jr, 3 33, Digital Sciences
Miami (20)
Griffin Baumel, Jr., 3.5, Political Science
Brendan Beattie, R-Fr., 3.34, Business Analytics
Henry Beckett, R-Fr., 3.97, Pre-med
Mike Brown, Sr., 3.36, Sports Leadership and Management
Kameron Butler, Jr., 3.38, Sports Leadership and Management
Bennett Clark, R-So., 3.33, Marketing
Tommy Doyle, Sr., 3.26, Business
Austin Ertl, So., 3.53, Marketing
Rusty Feth, So., 3.2, Sports Leadership and Management
Brett Gabbert, So, 3.52, Sports Leadership and Management
Ben Jackson, R-Fr., 3.3. Sports Leadership and Management
Zach Kahn, Sr., 3.62, Accounting
AJ Mayer, R-So., 3.45, Kinesiology
Ryan McWood, Sr., 3.3 Kinesiology
Adam Mehelic, R-Jr., 3.22, Sports Leadership and Management
Ryan Newton, R-Jr., 3.32, Education
David Redding, R-Jr., 3.28, Mechanical Engineering
Austin Robinson, So., 3.59, Sports Leadership and Management
Matthew Salopek, R-Fr., 3.55, Engineering
Sterling Weatherford, R-Jr., 3.3, Mechanical Engineering
Northern Illinois (17)
Erik Abrell, Senior, 3.71, Finance
Miles Baggett, Senior, 3.66, Sport Management
Daniel Crawford, Senior, 3.20, Enterprise Software
Leif Engstrand, RS Freshman, 3.78
Matt Ference, Senior, 3.58, Marketing // Currently in MBA Program
Nathan Harman, Sophomore, 3.31, Business Administration
J.J. Lippe, RS Freshman, 3.80
Jyran Mitchell, Sophomore, 3.32, Business Management
Benn Olson, Senior, 3.68, Engineering Management
Brayden Patton, Senior, 4.0, Media Studies
Kyle Pugh, Senior, 3.8, Kinesiology
Nick Rattin, Sophomore, 3.55
Liam Soraghan, Junior, 3.23, Mechanical Engineering
Tristen Tewes, RS Freshman, 3.93
Maximillian Thrower, Senior, 4.0, Media Studies
Mohamed Toure, RS Freshman, 3.35, Business and Marketing
Logan Zschernitz, Sophomore, 3.71
Ohio (16)
Jonathan Barna, R-Jr., 3.887
Austin Conrad, R-Sr., 3.553, Marketing/Business Analytics
Kurt Danneker, R-So., 3.26
Griffin Davies, R-Fr., 3.617
Jared Dorsa, R-Sr., 3.355
Bryce Houston, R-So., 3.469, Management & Strategic Leadership
Kyle Kelly, R-Fr., 3.405
Brett Kitrell, Sr., 3.796, Marketing
Bryce Ramer, R-So., 3.29
Kurtis Rourke, R-Fr., 3.643
Nick Sink, R-Sr., 3.263
Parker Titsworth, R-Fr., 3.506
Luke Vannest, R-Fr., 3.354
Tristian Vandenberg, R-Fr., 3.666
Anthony Whitney, R-So., 3.226
Alex Wolff, R-Sr., 3.714
Toledo (17)
Tycen Anderson, Sr., 3.345, Professional Sales
Nate Bauer, So., 3.443, Marketing
Parker Bisek, R-Fr., 3.695, Exercise Science
Carter Bradley, So., 3.405, Interdisciplinary Studies
Thomas Cluckey, So., 3.315, Mechanical Engineering
Luke Doerger, Sr., 3.371, Mechanical Engineering
Bailey Flint, Sr., 3.890, Currently pursuing an MLS with a focus in theater
Zachary Ford, So., 3.266, Marketing
Vitaliy Gurman, Sr., 3.503, Master’s in recreation and leisure studies
Bryce Harris, Sr., 3.765, Master’s in school counseling.
Tyler Long, So., 3.628, Construction Engineering Technology
Danzel McKinley-Lewis, Sr., 3.444, Communication
Sean Mills, Sr., 4.000, Operations and Supply Chain Management
Jerjuan Newton, R-Fr., 3.218, Exploratory Studies
Josh Recker, R-Fr., 3.941, Mechanical Engineering
Drew Rosi, Sr., 3.753, Finance
Nick Rosi, So., 3.380, Health Care Administration
Western Michigan (15)
Wade Buckman, Sr., 4.00
Anthony Torres, So., 3.98
Michael Caliendo, Sr., 3.92, Biomedical Sciences
Harrison Taylor, Jr., 3.92, Sales & Business Marketing
Luke Sanders, Sr., 3.88
Jake Moertl, Jr., 3.83, Pre-Management
Tanner Motz, Jr., 3.81, Environmental/Sustainability Studies
Jaxson Kincaide, Gr., 3.80
Dylan Deathrage, Jr., 3.78, Biomedical Sciences
Boone Bonnema, So., 3.76
Mark Brooks, Sr., 3.72, Integrated Supply Management
Wesley French, Sr., 3.65
Thiago Kapps, Sr., 3.46
Addison West, Fr., 3.32
Cam Cooper, Jr., 3.31, Pre-Sales & Business Marketing