It’s bowl season and that brings us some entertaining games on the gridiron in the coming weeks. That includes a clash between the MAC and a program from the Mountain West. It’s the Eastern Michigan Eagles taking on the San Jose State Spartans in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on the blue turf in Boise, Idaho Tuesday afternoon. Eastern Michigan finished the regular season 8-4 after dropping Central Michigan 38-19 at home November 25, winning outright as a 1.5-point underdog. San Jose State finished 7-4 in the regular season as they dumped Hawaii 27-14 at home in their finale on November 26, though they failed to cover as a 16-point favorite. These programs have met just once as FBS programs with Eastern Michigan earning a 30-27 win in the California Bowl on December 12, 1987.
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Eastern Michigan won three straight to close the regular season as they dropped Central Michigan in their finale. The Eagles are 8-4 on the year and finished 5-3 in the MAC, leaving them tied with Toledo for the MAC West title though the Rockets played in the conference title game. Against Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan held a 14-7 edge after the opening quarter and 14-13 at the half before taking control in the second half. The Eagles outscored the Chippewas 24-6 after intermission to earn the victory. Eastern Michigan rolled up a 437-229 advantage in total offense, picked up 27 first downs while allowing 15, controlled the clock by a 36:38 to 23:22 margin and forced three turnovers while not committing any in the contest.
For the year, the Eagles are 85th in the nation in passing offense as they average 217.8 yards per game through the air and tied for 77th in rushing off ense by picking up 142.7 yards per contest on the ground. Eastern Michigan is 64th in the FBS in scoring offense as they put up an average of 28.8 points per game while they are 89th in scoring defense by allowing 28.6 points per contest. Taylor Powell has completed 166 of 239 passes for 1,813 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. Austin Smith is 68 of 119 for 774 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions on the year while ranking third on the team with 255 rushing yards and two scores. Samson Evans leads the team with 224 carries for 1,084 yards and 13 scores on the season. Jaylon Jackson is the second back in the system with 83 carries for 344 yards and a score. In the passing game, Hassan Beydoun leads the team with 47 receptions for 451 yards and four scores on the year. Tanner Knue (42 grabs, team-high 592 yards, nine TD), Dylan Drummond (30 catches, 440 yards, three TD), Darius Lassiter (34 receptions, 363 yards, two TD) and Gunnar Oakes (25 grabs, 252 yards) are all over 250 yards receiving this season. Jesus Gomez has hit all 43 extra point attempts and 13 of 16 field goal tries with a long of 55 this season.