The Eastern Michigan University football team has matched its win total from last year within the first four games. After playing four non-conference games, the real test now comes down to facing its Mid-American Conference opponents.
The MAC schedule begins with Akron on Saturday. What is expected of EMU when it plays against the conference opponents?
On Offense:
EMU’s passing game improved tremendously against Penn State as quarterback Alex Gillett went with the pass more often than he did at Michigan. Gillett had five attempts for 29 yards against Michigan while he threw 31 times versus Penn State for 202 yards.
“We know that we are going to have to throw the ball a lot in our league, and we needed to work on that,” coach Ron English said after the game against Penn State.
The running game continues to struggle from the absence of junior running back Dominique Sherrer. Javonti Greene and Dominique White have tried to step into his place but could only get 68 rushing yards against Penn State on Saturday.
Despite the difficulty against Penn State, Eastern Michigan is at the top in the MAC in rushing yards and yards per game. EMU has had to face some stiff competition with two Big Ten Conference teams that have managed to give up only three field goals to the Eagles.
On Defense:
The EMU defense continues to show improvement from last year, as it is fifth in the MAC for scoring defense. There is still some room for improvement when defending against the pass, as EMU is second to last in passing defense.
The defensive line remains a strong point for the Eagles and should frustrate the Akron quarterbacks, with linebacker Justin Cudworth being the team leader in tackles (36), and end Brad Ohrman leading the team in sacks (2.5 for 20 yards).
Against Akron:
Akron has struggled this season with a 1-3 record, including tough losses to Ohio State, Temple and Cincinnati. The Zips earned their first win over VMI 36-13. Akron’s difficulties against opponents might point to its defense, tied for last in the MAC in scoring defense and having given up 21 touchdowns heading into Saturday’s contest.
The offensive line is not much better as they have given up a MAC-leading 19 sacks.
Against the MAC:
This year, Eastern Michigan will host Akron, Western Michigan, Ball State and Buffalo and travel to Toledo, Central Michigan, Kent State and Northern Illinois.
One of the players EMU has to keep an eye on is Bronco senior wide receiver Jordan White. White was named the MAC West Co-Offensive Player of the Week for Week 4 and leads the conference in receptions, receiving yards and average receiving yards per game.
The Eagles will have to prepare for Toledo running back Bernard Pierce when playing against the Rockets as Pierce has the MAC lead in rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns. Pierce was named the MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week after running for a school record and MAC tying record of five touchdowns in last Saturday’s game against Maryland.
The last game of the season against the Huskies will be a challenge to stop running back Jasmin Hopkins and quarterback Chandler Harnish, who are one and two respectively in team rushing attempts and rushing yards.
Harnish is also the MAC’s most accurate passer with a conference-leading completion percentage of 73.2 percent. It will be tough for the EMU defense to get to the quarterback as NIU has given up just three sacks so far this season.
EMU will be facing some tough competition now that it is facing conference opponents the rest of the way. It should be a real test for the Eagles as they fight to play in the postseason.
