Monarchs heading to first bowl in program history
Channel: YOU SPORTS
Date: 2016-11-29

Monarchs heading to first bowl in program history
Eastern Michigan headed to Bahamas Bowl, will face Old Dominion

 "Told the captains and the captains were the only ones that knew besides me, walking in here," said ODU head coach, Bobby Wilder. "Just to see the reactions from the captains was priceless. It was a moment I'll cherish forever."

When the players found out which bowl they will be playing in, they were excited and proud to be a part of history.

"Excited. So happy, ecstatic, just any word you can think of for happy. That's how I feel," said ODU senior quarterback, David Washington.
The Old Dominion football program just made the jump from FCS to FBS in 2012. Just a few short years later, they will be playing in the first bowl game in school history as they accepted a bid to play in the Popeye's Bahamas Bowl.
"This is history," said ODU senior wide receiver, Zach Pascal. "This is the first ever bowl game that we are going to. This team, the seniors that we had, the fifth year seniors being recruited and being the last FCS recruit for this program, being able to bring to a first ever bowl game in the FBS is a very big accomplishment."
with ODU coming away victorious in each of the contests. The Eagles dropped a 17-3 decision two years ago, Sept. 13, 2014, before falling, 38-34, in the 2015 season opener, Sept. 5.

The Eagles will come into the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl following one of the most successful seasons in its 125-year history. EMU finished with a winning record for the first time since 1995, most wins (seven) since 1989, and its first bowl appearance since 1987 when EMU won the California Bowl. The Eagles tied the FBS mark for biggest turnarounds in 2016, improving on its win total from one win in 2015, to its seven this season.

"We are pleased that Eastern Michigan will be competing in the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl," said Popeyes Bahamas Bowl Executive Director Richard Giannini. "Coach Chris Creighton and his staff have done a tremendous job in preparing the Eagles all season long. We are looking forward to a great bowl game in Nassau with Eastern Michigan and Old Dominion."

Eastern is led on offense by redshirt junior quarterback Brogan Roback, who has put up gaudy numbers in his nine appearances this season, totaling six starts. He finished the regular season with 193 completions for 2,394 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has five 300-plus yard games and a season-high of 468 yards. For his efforts, he has been named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week three times. The offense gets its start up front from the experienced offensive line, which has 161 combined starts under its belt. The group has combined to allow the 12th fewest sacks in the nation, as well as the second fewest tackles for loss. On the ground, redshirt sophomore Ian Eriksen leads the rushing attack with 741 yards on 175 carries and nine scores, while junior Sergio Bailey II is the leading pass catcher with 55 receptions for 799 yards and six touchdowns.
Defensively, the Eagles forced 23 turnovers this season, good for 20th in the nation and second in the MAC. Redshirt sophomore Kyle Rachwal led EMU in tackles with 101 stops, while redshirt senior Pat O'Connor had 8.0 sacks, good for 39th in the nation and fourth in the MAC. Additionally, O'Connor became the Eastern Michigan career sack leader earlier this season with 19.5 sacks.

The early invitation allows EMU additional time to prepare to play in an international destination, including obtaining passports for those who still need them to travel to the Bahamas as well as giving extra time for fans to make their travel plans to Nassau for bowl week. Information on tickets to the 2016 bowl is available through PopeyesBahamasBowl.com. A reminder that all U.S. citizens who wish to attend the game must have a valid U.S. Passport to enter the Bahamas.