In a season where every yard counts, penalties have become a critical factor for Eastern Michigan University football. With high hopes of making strides in the Mid-American Conference, Head Coach Chris Creighton and his team are laser-focused on reducing the costly flags that have held them back.
The impact of penalties was particularly evident in EMU’s recent clash with Toledo, where the Eagles managed to limit themselves to just three penalties for 25 yards—a significant improvement compared to their season average. For Creighton, this was a step toward what he calls “championship football.”
“We had three [penalties]. And then I think it was a week ago. We had four,” Creighton remarked after the game. “And I tell the guys, you know, five and less is championship football.” His emphasis on discipline isn’t just a slogan but a strategy that’s proving effective in helping EMU play cleaner and more controlled football.
This improvement was particularly timely, as Toledo provided the hard-fought battle that often comes down to a few key plays. “When it’s 19 to seven in the beginning of the fourth quarter… there’s things that we could have done to win,” Creighton noted. Limiting penalties, he argued, is a key to gaining that edge in close games.
Flags have been an obstacle for the Eagles throughout the season, setting them back an average of 83 yards per game. However, the team’s performance against Toledo highlighted the potential rewards of playing with discipline and minimizing mistakes. “We had three penalties for 25 yards,” Creighton said. “And that’s certainly winning football.”
Yet in their recent game against Ohio, EMU struggled to maintain that standard, recording six penalties for a loss of 70 yards in a 35-10 defeat. The setback raised their season average to 7.8 penalties for 75.9 yards, underscoring the ongoing challenge of playing penalty-free football.
For the Eagles, each game in November will be about holding the line on penalties and playing “championship football” as they push to finish the season strong.
