MAC Football: Eastern Michigan Bowl Eligible For Third Consecutive Season

The regular season had a happy ending on Tuesday night for the Eastern Michigan Eagles. EMU beat Buffalo to the tune of 24-11 in the middle of driving rain. The

© Patrick Breen / USA TODAY NETWORK

The regular season had a happy ending on Tuesday night for the Eastern Michigan Eagles. EMU beat Buffalo to the tune of 24-11 in the middle of driving rain. The win brings EMU's record to 6-6 on the season and make the Eagles bowl eligible for the third consecutive season. It's the first time they have accomplished that feat as a program.

This will also mark EMU's sixth trip to the postseason in ten seasons under Chris Creighton. No MAC program has made more bowl appearances since 2016 than EMU with five.

If you want an idea about what Chris Creighton has done at Eastern Michigan…

They started playing football in 1891, and have been to 7 bowl games - five of them under Creighton. pic.twitter.com/kAaOeVJxxf

— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) November 22, 2023

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The Bulls couldn't seem to hang on to the ball in the rain that pelted the field throughout the night fumbling the ball four times, three of which they failed to recover. 

EMU senior running back Samson Evans finished with 22 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown. It was the first time that Evans rushed for more than 100 yards this season and the fifth time in his college career. As a team, EMU rushed for 226 yards. 

Eagles' quarterback Austin Smith also added 141 yards through the air, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown.

Eastern Michigan should find out their bowl fate following conference championship weekend. 

Buffalo will end the season at 3-9. The Bulls have now failed to reach the postseason in two of Maurice Linguist's three years as head coach.