4 Players That'll Define Eastern Michigan at Kent State
4 Players That'll Define Eastern Michigan at Kent State
EMU needs to prove it can win a clean game defensively in its road MAC opener.
EMU RB Elijah Jackson-Anderson
In his third year with the program, Elijah Jackson-Anderson is slowly starting to have a breakout season from the running back room. He didn’t play much in the first two games, but he’s been more a featured back in the third and fourth games of the season. Dontae McMillan got hurt and has been out since the Washington game. Delbert Mimms III was banged up against Jacksonville State and limited last week. Jackson-Anderson played 58 snaps against JSU, and made his first career start last week against St. Francis.
Against the Gamecocks, Jackson-Anderson had a 24-yard touchdown reception out of the backfield to give EMU a first-quarter lead, and later took a 3rd & 21 handoff up the middle for a 22-yard gain and first-down pickup. He’s currently second on the team in rushing with 115 total yards on 36 carries (3.2 avg.), and is still looking his first touchdown on the ground. His one touchdown catch is his only reception on the year so far.
On Monday when asked about Jackson-Anderson’s season, Creighton had this to say:
“He's an explosive, dynamic athlete who is also really physical. If you go back and watch his high school highlights, he might have been a better defensive player than offensive player. And I mean that. I mean he is really, really, really physical, and so just a great overall football player. And you know, we're talking about Joey Mattord[‘s blocked punt]. He really has made a name for himself first on special teams as well. I mean, he can run. He's got great speed. His effort is awesome. He cares. And so he's been on special teams and will continue to be. And yeah, I mean, is playing running back and doing a really good job with that. He is. He's one of those guys where he can put his foot in the ground and change directions, and I mean even like 180 degrees when he's seemingly going full speed. I'm expecting some really dynamic, explosive plays out of him this season, and some of his focus needs to be on not trying to make every single play a 99-yard touchdown. Just reading it and taking what comes. But he's a real weapon.”
As EMU goes into the bye week, I think that EMU should try to win the physicality battle in the trenches and establish some long runs. While this team has shown that it can, at times, get hot in the pass game with some complimentary runs, EMU hasn’t shown that it can outright dominate drives with a powerful run game (a la the Detroit Lions). Obviously, so much of that responsibility lies with the offensive line, and Kent State’s as good as a test as any to see if EMU’s new starting five has what it takes to get Jackson-Anderson into the endzone.
EMU DB Daiquan White
Last year, Daiquan White led EMU in pass breakups (12) as a true freshman.
This year, he’s costing his team in the penalty department. He’s already drawn four flags this year. He drew defensive holding and pass interference calls against UMass, another DPI against Jacksonville State, and his third DPI penalty last week.
According to Pro Football Focus, White’s four penalties isn’t just the most committed by an EMU defender. He’s the most penalized defender in the Mid-American Conference.
White’s going to have to go up against some pretty talented Kent State receivers, and he’s going to have to keep them on lock while also, you know, staying clean against the penalties like he did in the Washington trip.
This season, White has 13 tackles (0.5 TFL) made with two pass breakups.
Kent State WR Luke Floreia
Last year, Kent State was able to use two quarterbacks to get some production against EMU’s defense, and Luke Floreia was the recipient of two of their touchdown throws. Kent State still might try to use two QBs this week, but it won’t be the same two it had planned on using at this point last week.
Tommy Ulatowski will make his first start for the Flashes at QB, and Ruel Tomlinson, is a true freshman who has yet to see the field.
Kent State has yet to take the lead in a football game this season, so you know they’ll look Floreia’s way to try to change that tune at Dix Stadium. Floreia is Kent’s receiving leader this season at 16 grabs for 214 yards and 2 TD.
Kent State DL Stephen Daley
Considering how challenging of a stretch of games this has been for EMU’s offensive line room lately, Kent State’s going to want to push them around as much as possible. Stephen Daley’s a homegrown talent had a strong 2023 with 48 tackles and 5.5 for loss, and he picked up exactly where he left off to start his 2024 campaign. For the season, Daley’s recorded 18 tackles (3 TFL, 1 sack), 1 QB hurry, 1 pass breakup, and 1 fumble recovery.
