The Eastern Michigan football team were defeated in the 2021 season finale against rival Central Michigan University. The Eagles were dominated by the Chippewas, resulting in a 31-10 loss in Mount Pleasant.

The Eagles finished the 2021 season with a 7-5 overall record and 4-4 in Mid-American Conference play. With the win over the Eagles, Central Michigan improved to 8-4 overall with 6-2 in conference games. A win over Eastern Michigan garnered the Chippewas with the 2021 Michigan MAC Trophy.

Quarterback Ben Bryant remained active, leading the Eagles through the air with 221 throwing yards.

Wide receiver Tanner Knue contributed 70 yards for Eastern, completing seven passes. Hassan Beydoun also put forth a strong effort, recording 8 receptions on 69 yards.

Eastern Michigan lost running back Jawon Hamilton early in the game due to an injury, who leads the team in rushing yards. Bryson Moss took over in Hamilton’s absence. Moss led the Eagles in rushing yards with 26 in total. Moss averaged 5.2 yards per carry.

Defensive back Robert Daniel Jr. totaled out with six tackles and one interception to help the Eagles defense efforts.

“I think our defense played really well. We gave them a bunch of short fields, a touchdown on a kickoff return. Our defense played winning football, wasn’t perfect, but we took the ball away,” Head Coach Creighton said.

Creighton shared that the offense was lacking, especially in the first half.

 “They’re going to get their yards, but our defense gave us a chance to win the game. We were just off balance offensively in the first half. We liked mostly everything that we were doing,” Creighton said.

The Eagles shift their focus to bowl game preparation, pending bowl game announcements.

“We’ll get home later tonight and the guys will at least have a normal weekend. Then we’ll regroup on Monday, we still won’t know who we’re playing or where we’re playing or any of that, but I do think that will allow us to not have this feeling again,“ Creighton said.

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