Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern, Eastern Michigan Set For First Gridiron Meeting
9/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 11, 2006
NU Football Game Notes (vs. Eastern Michigan)
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The Game
It will be a homecoming of sorts this Saturday, Sept. 16 when Northwestern entertains Eastern Michigan in the two school's first gridiron meeting. The Eagles visit Ryan Field with six former Wildcat assistant coaches and/or players manning the EMU sidelines, led by Eagles' head coach Jeff Genyk. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT at Ryan Field.
Saturday's contest is not being televised and no instant replay will be used by game officials.
Eastern Michigan, which has opened the 2006 season with road losses at Ball State and Michigan State, is in its third year with Genyk at the helm. He was a part of the Northwestern football staff for 12 years (1992-2003), serving the Wildcats in a number of capacities. Genyk was Northwestern's running backs coach and its recruiting coordinator when Eastern Michigan hired him in December of 2003.
Genyk invited two other NU assistant coaches, Howard Feggins and Jay Peterson, to become his respective offensive and defensive coordinators. Since that time, Genyk has added three other coaches who have Wildcat ties: Josh Buis (2002-03) and Jim O'Neil (2003-04) were graduate assistants at NU while Jarvis Adams was a former player (2000-03).
Leading the Eagles' spread offense is 6-foot-4 1/2" wide receiver Eric Deslauriers, who has 190 career receptions, including a team-best 16 this year. The Quebec native is averaging 91.0 yards per game and has scored a pair of touchdowns, giving him 24 for his career, which ranks first on the EMU all-time list. His 190 career receptions and 2,534 career yards rank second on the Eagles' career list.
Tyler Jones and Andy Schmitt have split time at the quarterback position, with Jones, the Eagles' leading rusher, starting the first two games. Jones has thrown for 103.5 yards per game (17-of-27) and 1 TD, while averaging 86.5 ypg (5.4 ypc) on the ground. Schmitt has completed 19-of-31 passes for 193 yards, a TD and an interception. He has rushed for 34 yards (4.4 ypc). EMU's quarterbacks have accounted for nearly 78 percent of the Eagles' rushing total.
Defensively, linebacker Darran Matthews (18 tackles, 1 sack) and safety Chris May (17 tackles) lead the Eagles after two games. Matthews is one of seven defensive starters back from last year's team, along with highly touted defensive end Kevin Howe. Handling the Eagles' place-kicking duties is Andrew Wellock, a 2004 Lou Groza Award finalist.
Northwestern is returning to Ryan Field after suffering a disappointing 34-17 loss to the nation's second-ranked NCAA Division I-AA club in New Hampshire. Northwestern fell behind 27-17 at halftime and could not muster any scoring in the second half.
The Broadcasts
Radio -- WGN will carry the game live, but the broadcast will be heard on WCPT (850 AM) with its pregame show starting at 12:30 p.m. The radio broadcast can also be heard via the internet live at wgnradio.com. Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Ted Albrecht (analyst) call the action. WNUR (89.3), NU's student radio station, also will carry the game live. The contest is also available on the XM Satellite Radio network. (Channels 197-199).
Television -- Saturday's game is not being televised.
Ticket Info/Promotions For NU-Eastern Michigan Game
Saturday is Take a Kid to the Game Day, NU Faculty and Staff Day and Salute to Midwest Football Day.
• Take a Kid to the Game Day -- Two children (in eighth grade and under) will be admitted free with each adult ticket purchased at regular price. This offer is valid on the day of the game only.
• NU Faculty and Staff Day -- All full-time Northwestern faculty and staff members can purchase tickets for half-price. Tickets must be ordered in advance through the Wildcat Ticket Office (847-491-CATS).
• Salute to Midwest Football Day -- High school football teams will be admitted free when wearing their team jerseys.
Tickets, which can be purchased by calling 847-491-CATS or ordering online at Northwestern's web site, NUsports.com, are available for Saturday's nonconference contest: $30 for reserved seats and $20 for end-zone seats.
(For a complete set of game notes, download the above PDF.)
