4 Players That'll Define Eastern Michigan vs. Toledo
WR Markus Allen being used more in the pass game lately.
EMU WR Markus Allen
One obvious good thing about Eastern Michigan’s offense this year is that its starting receivers are all reliable and they all have the ability get yards after the grab. Especially over the last couple of weeks, Markus Allen has been trusted with the pill for big plays, whether he has to go down field to make a catch or if he has to turn a 6-yard reception into a first down.
Over the last two games, Allen has caught 12 passes for 193 yards with one touchdown — his best two-game stretch so far. Per Pro Football Focus, Allen was targeted 19 times through his first five games and 26 times over the last two. Allen has 27 grabs for 371 yards this year, and scored once against Central Michigan. Allen’s a good-sized receiver with a lot of potential, and it’s been nice to see him used more over these last couple of weeks to show off more of his receiving skills on the outside. It’s no one-man show with the receivers, but Allen’s going to have to keep up the pace that he’s been playing at while improving on difficult plays (PFF: 2 for 9 on contested catches).
EMU K Jesus Gomez
An up-and-down season for Gomez hit a new low point Saturday. Gomez was 3/3 on his field goal tries against Central Michigan, and has the leg to drain 50+ yarders on the road in big settings, but the Akron game was a rough look for him. His 54-yard attempt in the first quarter was short of the uprights, and his PAT kick after EMU’s second touchdown in the third quarter missed to the right. In a game that was decided by four points, it’s hard to imagine Gomez won’t be coming into this game with a big chip on his shoulder.
It’s also going to be up to him to blast his kickoffs far enough to try and eliminate any returns. Jacquez Stuart has an insane 40.3 yards per return on just six returns this year (242 yards, 7th in MAC) while Jerjuan Newton has six returns as well for 130 yards. As a unit, Toledo is second in the MAC with an average of 26.9 yards per return (15 ret., 403 yards).
Offensively, Toledo doesn’t always play up to vintage Toledo levels, and that’s been evident at points this year. If EMU can limit explosives and let Toledo run into its own problems on offense every once in a while, that’ll help keep the Rockets off the scoreboard, which means EMU needs to do everything it can to limit Toledo to unfavorable starting field positions.
Toledo DB Maxen Hook
I could pick any number of players off this Toledo defense and I’d make a good case for them to potentially be difference makers. But Maxen Hook’s a dude for this Toledo defense even if he doesn’t get all of the turnover numbers. He works well in space and is a threat to create and disguise pressures against EMU’s inconsistent O-line.
Hook, a three-time All-MAC honoree (First Team 2x), is Toledo’s leading tackler this season (73), and has a career 322 tackles (8 TFL, 2 sacks), 6 interceptions and 14 pass breakups.
Toledo PR Bryson Hammer
Starting field position might be a defining factor in a game like this. Toledo’s Bryson Hammer has been a great revelation for Toledo’s return game. He’s leading the MAC with 201 punt return yards (12 ret., 16.75 avg.), which is pretty good for the freshman walk-on. Toledo’s got plenty of options and weapons across its offense that it’ll have to slow down, but this game can get out of hand if Hammer finds the end zone for his first touchdown Saturday.
EMU punter Mitch Tomasek, a two-time First Team All-MAC punter, has been a little off his A-game this season. Averaging 44.3 and 45.3 yards per punt in those seasons, the ball hasn’t consistently flown off his foot the same this year (43.1 avg.). It should go without saying, but Tomasek, as much as anybody, has play at his best if EMU’s going to have a shot at winning.