The first game on Crosby Field showcased excellent defense from the Eagles as Jacksonville State scored a touchdown, taking a 6-0 lead. With nine minutes left in the first quarter, Tyler Mines (Homestead, Florida) led a drive for ten more yards. Marcus Allen (Tucker, Georgia) provided an opportunity for a touchdown, and thanks to Mines, the Eagles scored a touchdown, followed by a field goal from Jesús Gómez (Puebla, México/Prepa Tec Puebla).
The defense was critical in the first quarter. The Eagles displayed great defense as Cole Snyder (Lakewood, New York) gained eight rushing yards, and Delbert Mimms III (Indianapolis, Indiana) added 37 rushing yards. Snyder aimed to earn as many yards as possible with Oran Singleton (Clewiston, Florida) running to close the gap. Elijah Jackson-Anderson (Flint, Michigan) scored a touchdown, putting EMU ahead 13-7, followed by another field goal.
Starting the second quarter, Jacksonville State had the ball but began with incomplete passes. Later, they secured a three-point field goal, bringing their score to 10, while the Eagles still led.
A punt return by Mitchell Tomasek (Columbus, Ohio) kept Jacksonville State at bay. A turnover gave Jacksonville State the ball back, resulting in a touchdown and putting them in the lead 16-14.
Snyder made impressive plays on offense, throwing the ball and advancing up the field. Snyder used teamwork to help gain yards, with Terry Lockett Jr. (St. Paul, Minnesota) scoring a 40-yard touchdown, putting EMU up 21-17.
Snyder then threw a pass to Max Reese (Chicago, Illinois) for a touchdown, extending the Eagles' lead to 27-17. Gómez followed with a field goal, making it 28-17. With six minutes left in the second quarter, the Eagles' defense ensured Jacksonville State didn't gain ground. A 30-yard field goal attempt by Jacksonville State added three points, closing the second quarter with EMU up 28-17.
The third quarter began with anticipation, as the Eagles started with the ball. Snyder made a two-yard gain and passed multiple times. A punt return allowed the Eagles to play aggressively on defense, keeping Jacksonville State from advancing.
Elijah Jackson-Anderson ran for 22 yards, while Mimms gained 58 yards, and Jackson-Anderson added 34 more. A fourth down brought nerves, but Gómez's 41-yard field goal added three more points, making it 31-20 by the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Jacksonville State scored a touchdown, narrowing the score to 31-26. Snyder returned, displaying strong teamwork, and Jackson-Anderson carried the ball to close the gap.
Snyder made several key passes to Lockett Jr. to earn first downs, keeping the competition intense. A 49-yard field goal attempt by Gómez missed, giving Jacksonville State a chance. Justin Jefferson (Chicago, Illinois) sacked Jacksonville State, but they tied the game with a field goal, sending it into overtime.
The overtime period brought tension with a close incomplete pass, but EMU gained three more points. With a final field goal attempt by Gómez, the game ended in a 37-34 victory for the Eagles.
Head Coach Chris Creighton reflected on Snyder’s performance: "At times, he was pretty bleak. But I think Snyder is just poised. I think he threw some balls," Creighton said.
Creighton also praised Gómez’s performance:
"He's able to play! He's super talented and a great team player," he said.
Max Reese shared his thoughts on the game and the double-overtime victory: "We showed a lot of fight; it was huge for us, just being able to rally off each other as a defense. I think it was huge and a big reason why we won," Reese said.
Catch EMU at their next home game, Sept. 21, against St. Francis University at 7 p.m. You can watch live on ESPN+ or listen on 89.1 WEMU.
