Homecoming the past couple of years has been somewhat of a letdown for EMU football and its fans. The last time the Eagles won a homecoming game was when they beat Toledo in 2006. That was also the last time Eastern beat Toledo in a football game.
However, Saturday the Eagles defeated Western Michigan 14-10 in front of 6,772 fans to win the Michigan MAC Trophy and end the week-long Homecoming festivities.
The Eagles are 5-3 and 4-1 in the MAC West. They have already doubled the win total from last season and are in favorable position to finish out the season above .500.
Credit for the success of the Eagles season so far has to go to the coaching job of Ron English and the rest of his staff. They are slowly changing the culture of the football program, making the Eagles winners again.
The coaches have improved their defense and have found an offensive attack, running. This season they have an exceptional rushing offense, averaging 229 yards.
The Eagles are third in the MAC rushing. Much of the running success is credited to running backs Javonti Green and Dominique White, as well as quarterback Alex Gillett.
The defense stood out Saturday in stopping WMU at the 1 to regain possession with 4:56 left in
the fourth quarter. The offense finished the game, running the clock out.
The Eagles rushed 50 times for 205 yards against WMU. It was a balanced rushing attack this week. Gillett rushed 15 times for 67 yards, Dominique Sherrer rushed 11 times for 89, Greene rushed 13 times for 72, and White rushed six times for 30.
In eight games, the Eagles have run 389 times for 1,737 yards with 20 touchdowns. They have also rushed for more than 300 yards in three games.
Greene is eighth in MAC in rushing with 105 carries for 476 yards, averaging almost 5 yards. White is 10th in MAC rushing with 86 carries for 464 yards, averaging 5.4.
The Eagles are tied for second in the MAC West with Ball State and Northern Illinois.
The Eagles have a bye week this weekend. Their next game is against MAC West rival, Ball State and is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Nov. 5 at Rynearson Stadium.
