In what was an emotional night for Eastern Michigan University’s seniors, defensive lineman Peyton Price (Lafayette, Indiana/Jefferson) took the field at Rynearson Stadium for the final time during a 37-20 loss to Buffalo.
Despite the defeat, Price’s impact on EMU football remains undeniable, as the senior anchored the defense throughout a career that saw him grow into one of the Mid-American Conference’s most consistent players.
Price’s accolades speak for themselves. Coming into the season, he was named to the 2024 Preseason Athlon Sports All-MAC First Team All-Defense and Phil Steele’s All-MAC Second Team All-Defense. His standout 2023 season included 47 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks, all career highs. He started 12 of 13 games last year and contributed seven quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Even amid the challenges of the 2024 season, Price’s resilience and leadership have stood out.
Reflecting on the team’s mindset after a difficult stretch, he said, “Mentally, we’re still where we’ve been at. Losing, like, obviously, it hurts, but we’re not going to let it kill us. I feel like a lot of us are unbreakable. So, losing those games [we’re] not gonna let it break us, you know, just gonna keep fighting, keep going.”
Price’s contributions extended beyond his on-field production. His leadership and energy were vital for the Eagles, especially during challenging moments.
“I just been trying to bring juice to practice just to help my teammates out,” he said. “I really love playing football, so like I said, just juice coming every day with a great mindset.”
Stepping onto Rynearson Stadium’s turf for the last time was a bittersweet moment for Price.
Reflecting on his time at EMU, he said, “Every time I step on this field, it’s a blessing. I played four years here… I love it here. Every time I touch the field, it’s honestly a great memory.”
Price’s favorite memory at Eastern Michigan came during the team’s Homecoming victory over Ball State on Oct. 7, 2023. In that game, defensive lineman Tim Grant-Randall (Conroe, Texas/Oak Ridge/Blinn) secured the first interception of his career, a moment that Price says embodies the spirit of the defensive line.
“When Tim got the interception, that was really crazy,” Price said with a smile. “Seeing one of my boys get a pick that was great to me.”
The play came during a pivotal moment of the 24-10 win, which energized the homecoming crowd and showcased the teamwork and camaraderie that defines the Eagles' defense. For Price, it was a highlight of his four years at EMU, where individual achievement and team success came together perfectly.
Saturday’s game held special significance at Senior Night, a celebration of Price and his fellow seniors.
“It’s our last game. I think it’s 12 seniors. It’s our last game at The Factory. We want to make it great,” Price said before the game.
A Lafayette, Indiana native, Price joined EMU after an impressive high school career, earning Journal & Courier Big School Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2020. At EMU, he developed into a player who consistently brought his best to the program and earned the distinction of wearing the No. 0 jersey during the Minnesota game in 2023, a symbol of leadership and toughness.
The Eagles now turn their attention to their final game of the season, an away matchup against Western Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 1:30 p.m. With one last chance to finish the season on a high note, Eastern Michigan looks to close the year with a win and set the tone for the future.
