Eastern Michigan finished the 2021 season in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Mid-American Conference’s West Division at 4-4 in conference play and 7-5 overall. All six teams in that division of the MAC finished between 6-2 and 4-4 in league play as it was one of the most competitive divisions in the country this season.
Here are four important players the Flames need to keep an eye on when Liberty and the Eagles meet in the 2021 Lending Tree Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 18 in Mobile, Alabama.
QB Ben Bryant
Bryant is a 6’3″ senior quarterback who transferred to Eastern Michigan for the 2021 campaign after spending the previous three seasons at Cincinnati where he was the Bearcats backup quarterback. This season, Bryant has guided Eastern Michigan to seven wins as he has completed 256 of his 372 passes for 2,921 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He’s not much of a rushing threat, as he has -26 rushing yards on the season.
WR Hassan Beydoun
Bryant’s favorite target was Hassan Beydoun, a junior receiver for the Eagles. The 5’8″ Beydoun led the team with 86 receptions and 932 yards on the season to go along with his four touchdowns. He was named second-team all-conference following the campaign. The Michigan native has played in 35 career games at Eastern Michigan, with his numbers increasing each season. Beydoun also plays a hand in the return game, with 13 kick returns for 241 yards and a long of 35 and 10 punt returns for 57 yards and a long of 25.
WR Dylan Drummond
Drummond is second on the team with 58 receptions for 653 yards and a team-leading 6 touchdowns. The 6’0″ receiver is from Cleveland, Ohio, and he has played in 41 career games for EMU. Drummond has been a playmaker for the Eagles since arriving on campus prior to the 2018 season.
DL Jose Ramirez
Ramirez is third on the team this season with 59 tackles, but he really makes his damage in the opposing team’s backfield. Ramirez leads the team with 10.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. He also has 10 quarterback hurries on the season. The 6’2″, 251 pound lineman from Lake Alfred, Florida is in his third season at Eastern Michigan.
