The Eastern Michigan University football team (2-1) returned to Rynearson Stadium Sept. 16 for a match up against the University of Massachusetts (1-3) after a 6-25 loss on the road against Minnesota Sept. 9.
After a hard fought four quarters, a 50 yard pass from quarterback Austin Smith to Hamze El-Zayat with 1:20 remaining in the ball game would seal the deal for an Eagles victory, 19-17.
“It’s hard to win football games,” Chris Creighton, head coach, said in a post-game press conference.
The win against UMass marks the first time the Eagles have beat the same non-conference competitor in three-straight seasons since going on a five game streak against Youngstown State from 1985 to 1989.
The Eagles were able to take the lead early in the ball game, putting points on the board first after a 40-yard field goal by Jesus Gomez with 2:31 remaining in the first quarter.
Eastern Michigan continued to widen its lead after a 55-yard rush by Jaylon Jackson tacking on six more points for the green and white.
A 48-yard field goal by Cameron Carson would put UMass on the board to give the Minutemen their first score of the game right before halftime, changing the score to 3-10.
UMass temporarily took the lead over EMU late in the fourth quarter, 17-13, until Smith connected with El-Zayat with 1:20 left in the game.
After scrambling to find a man in gray, Smith launched a 50-yard pass down the field for an EMU touchdown, securing a win over the Minutemen 19-17.
"It felt good to have my first [receiving] touchdown here at Eastern, but more so it feels good for the game because we got the win,” El-Zayat said.
Eastern's defense dominated against the Minutemen, recording four turnovers.
“Defensively we'll find things that we can get better at,” Creighton said. “When you take the ball away three times in the air, cause a fumble, hold them to field goals for the vast majority of the game. They did a really good job.”
Quentavius Scandrett recorded his second career pick and first of the season on Saturday. Newcomer Bennett Walker tallied two interceptions for the green and white and sits at the top of the MAC standings with three interceptions in three games.
After picking up the fumble forced by Joe Sparacio in the first quarter, Justin Jefferson became the first player representing the Block E to collect a turnover in consecutive games since last season.
Jefferson and Walker are the first players in EMU program history to record turnovers in back-to-back games since 2018.
Additionally, Chase Kline had 11 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble against UMass.
Up next, the Eagles will travel to Jacksonville, Ala., to face off against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT (5 p.m. ET), Sept. 23.
For more information about EMUs football program, visit emueagles.com.
