The Eastern Michigan University football team took to the field Wednesday, Aug. 2, kicking off the 2023-24 season with the first official team practice.
The season's opening game is Sept. 1, just 31 days from that first practice session.
The team capped off its 2022-23 season with three new titles: the Michigan Mid-American Conference, or MAC, trophy; Co-champions of MAC West Division; and winners of the Idaho Potato Bowl.
When asked about the team's goals for the upcoming season, returning starting linebacker and team captain Chase Kline, speaking at a news conference in April, stressed the feeling of coming up just short of that MAC championship last season.
“I’m definitely happy about the bowl game win and the history that was made, but the goal for last year was to win the MAC, and so we failed our first goal,” Kline said. “Winning the MAC this season is our number one goal.”
With loads of talent both returning and being added to the squad, head coach Chris Creighton said this year's Eagles need to be at their absolute best on and off the field, each and every day. Once that happens, everything else should fall into place.
“Ultimately, we want to be our best, I’m never going to come off of that,” Creighton said in the news conference. “Winning is a byproduct of that. So, within the season, yes, we want to win a MAC championship, but that comes underneath being our best.”
The Eagles have lots of familiar faces back for the 2023-24 season. Notably returning to the team is junior quarterback Austin Smith, senior linebacker Chase Kline, graduate linebacker Joe Sparacio, graduate running back Samson Evans, graduate wide receiver Tanner Knue, senior running back Jaylon Jackson, graduate offensive lineman Brian Dooley, and senior defensive back Kempton Shine.
Unusual move: Dooley gives scholarship to teammate.
The home opener kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, against Howard University at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The rest of the regular season is scheduled as follows:
• At the University of Minnesota on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 7:30 p.m.
• Vs. the University of Massachusetts on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 2 p.m.
• At Jacksonville State University on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 4 p.m. CT
• At Central Michigan University on Saturday, Sept. 30
• Vs. Ball State University on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 3:30 p.m.
• Vs. Kent State University on Saturday, Oct. 14
• At Northern Illinois University on Saturday, Oct. 21
• Vs. Western Michigan University on Saturday, Oct. 28
• At the University of Toledo on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
• Vs. the University of Akron on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m.
• At the University at Buffalo on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
For more updates on the EMU football team, visit The Echo’s sports pages.
