SAN MARCOS, Texas — In preparation for this weekend's football game at Eastern Michigan, below are five talking points to preview the Eagles:

ONE IF BY LAND … 

Eastern Michigan has placed an emphasis on running the football through the first three games of the 2021 season. Through the early portion of this season, 42 percent of the team's total yardage has come on the ground, while 91 percent of the team's offensive touchdowns have come via the rush. The percent of the yards via the rush statistics is tied for the second-most of any Eagles team under head coach Chris Creighton. The 2021 team is tied with the 2015's squad (42 percent), while Creighton's 2014 Eagles set the bar at 48 percent. 

STAPLED 

Creighton, who has been at the helm of the Eastern Michigan football program since 2014, recently signed a contract extension on Thursday, Sept. 2 that will keep Creighton in Ypsilanti, Mich., through at least the 2025 season. Creighton is the only football head coach in program history to lead Eastern Michigan to multiple bowl appearances with the latest being the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl. His 171 wins at Eastern Michigan puts Creighton fifth on the program's all-time career wins list, 41 behind Jim Harkema for fourth place. 

THREE QUARTERS

Under defensive coordinator Neal Neathery, Eastern Michigan has held opponents scoreless during the third quarter in 14 of its last 33 games (42 percent). Against Saint Francis (Pa.) earlier this season, the Eagles defense held the Red Flash to only 61 total yards of offense on 16 plays and three first downs during the third quarter. Easter Michigan has won seven of the 14 games in which it held an opponent scoreless in the third quarter during that stretch. 

0 & 2 

Within the Eastern Michigan football program, the No. 0 and No. 2 jersey are prestigious. Dubbed "The Deuce," the No. 2 jersey is worn in honor of Demarius Reed, a former EMU wide receiver who was tragically killed during the 2013 season. Reed's No. 2 jersey was brought back into circulation in 2017 and is awarded annually to the best pass catch that displayed class, leadership, and exemplary playing ability. Senior tight end Bryson Cannon was selected to wear No. 2 this season. Each week, a defensive player that best embodies the team's "Hard Hat Defense" mentality will be selected to wear the No. 0 jersey. The "Hard Hat Defense" mentality is made up of selfless, hardworking, and tough mindsets. 

RED RUNS DRY 

Heading into its matchup against then-No. 17/18 Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 11, Eastern Michigan had left the red zone with points on its last 33 consecutive trips inside an opponent's 20-yard line. It was the nation's longest active streak until the Eagles failed to score on its lone trip to the red zone against the Badgers.