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The Eagles are flying high so far in the non-conference season, going 2-1 in their first three games with the potential to win a third game before the conference season opens up.
However, that good feeling was tampered a little bit by news from coach Chris Creighton Monday morning, who announced that Shaq Vann, the Eagles’ main running back and one of the team’s leading returning offensive contributors, will be out for the rest of the season.
The news was first reported by Al Willman of The Detroit News.
Vann picked up a shoulder injury early vs. Mizzou in what was ultimately a 61-14 loss for EMU, leaving primary ball carrier duties to Ian Eriksen. Vann had 21 carries for 166 yards and a touchdown prior to his injury.
In the game vs. Charlotte, four running backs combined for 72 yards on the day for EMU, with Ericksen amassing 19 rushing yards and 57 overall yards in relief of Vann.
Vann had 100 carries for 586 yards and 37 receptions for 264 yards last season as the primary backfield option in Creighton’s offensive gameplan, with a career best performance vs. Wyoming on the road last season, where he ran for 129 yards on 16 carries, scoring twice.
Coincidentally, the Eagles will host Wyoming this coming Saturday.
For now, it looks as if carries will be split between Eriksen and Blake Banham, though that could change as well.