2019 MAC Football Week 1 Game Recap: Eagles Fly High Enough in 30-23 win

The Eastern Michigan Eagles started the season on the road as they hopped on an airbus to travel down to South Carolina to face the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. It was the first meeting between the two teams. There were a few things that Eastern Michigan needed to show and they certainly showed a lot of positives in a hectic 30-23 win over Coastal Carolina.

Eastern Michigan Quarterback Mike Glass III was able to complete 20 of 22 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns. I believe that is the highest completion percentage for an Eagle QB in a game in program history, and he didn’t throw any of those passes to the folks wearing teal. He also managed to find the endzone on the ground to help the EMU offense. The Eastern Michigan running attack was led by Shaq Vann with 108 yards. Mike Glass’ favorite target was Dylan Drummond with 52 yards and two touchdowns.

Coastal Carolina Quarterback Fred Payton completed 29 of 43 passes for 304 yards. Four of those attempts found their way to the gentlemen wearing white and green, as Payton took a lot of unnecessary chances. The Chanticleers’ leading rush was CJ Marable with 49 yards. He was also their leading receiver with 84 yards and one of the two passing touchdowns.

While the Eagles gave up 304 yards in the air, they were able to hold Coastal Carolina to under 100 yards on the ground. Brody Hoying, Clay Holford, Blake Bogan and Kevin McGill were all able to intercept the ball. The most important of those by Kevin McGill with 38 seconds left in the game as that was the game sealer.

The Eagles travel over to Lexington, Kentucky to face the Kentucky Wildcats next weekend in what should be an intriguing game.

Kenneth Bailey