Markus Allen, one of Eastern Michigan University’s leading receivers, approaches each game with a steadfast focus, knowing his team’s season hangs in a delicate balance.
After a tough loss and facing challenging circumstances, Allen recently shared his thoughts on the team's spirit, performance, and the critical plays that continue to define their season.
Allen expressed the team’s awareness of their position by reflecting on the season so far. “Right now, we know our backs are against the wall,” Allen said. “We have to come in every day, put our heads down, and work to finish strong. There’s still hope, depending on how things play out in the conference.” With a strong sense of unity, he stressed the importance of daily effort and maintaining a close bond with his teammates and coaches.
When asked about the recent “Hail Mary” play and the decision to go for a two-point conversion, Allen praised the preparation and trust within the team. “We worked on that play in practice; our coaches stress the details, so I feel like the guys went out there and they knew what they had to do, they knew their objective,” he explained. “So we worked that throughout the week and went for it… But everybody on the sideline believed in the coaches. We believed in the play calling. They believed in us. So we had to go execute.” Though the play didn’t result in a score, Allen emphasized the team’s unity, showing confidence in their collective efforts.
For Allen, the team’s mindset remains unwavering. Even when faced with setbacks, like his teammate Terry Lockett Jr. missing a critical catch, Allen said the team rallied around each other. “[Terry] felt some guilt, but a lot of the players on the team surrounded him with love after… it was on us… It should not have even gotten to that point… We all knew what the game plan was, offensively and defensively… Terry gave it his all,” Allen reflected.
Allen also shared insight into his dynamic relationship with quarterback Cole Snyder. Known for distributing the ball across multiple receivers, Snyder keeps Allen and his teammates on their toes. “Cole does a great job of spreading the ball around… So when the ball comes to me very, very little, or comes to me a lot, I just got to be ready every time,” Allen said. “You know what I mean, so you got to make the most of your opportunities. But I really don't look at him no different. I never will.”
Allen’s humility and team-first attitude remain central to his approach. “There’s things I do want to clean up. I do want to get better personally. But as far as the performance aspect, I do see growth [in myself],” he said. “Whether the stats say this or that, you know what I mean, I still see individual growth through practices, through prep, through everything you talk about, position change.”
Reflecting on his early days with EMU, Allen mentioned that the receiving group’s commitment was evident from the start. “When I first got in here, like these dudes are already on it like they already had a plan… to do extra work and do extra things. So I feel like the things that are coming towards us are earned… so I'm really just proud of the group, you know, staying together, whether adversity hits or not,” he said, noting that they remain focused on finishing strong with just two games left.
As the season progresses, Allen emphasizes the importance of “closing the gap” and staying hungry. “Coach Creighton says every week, you know, we come in, we write out these goals every day, like for our practice days, what's your goal and everything, I feel like it's [to] close to the gap,” he explained. “Like it's just to be hungry, hungry to be coached…adversity is going to come, but I feel like day to day, we still have to continue to work on being great, and how can we continue to get better.”
Allen’s contributions, including a recent touchdown that ignited EMU’s offense, have showcased his growth as a leader and playmaker. “With that touchdown, I knew I had to make a play; I got to be the guy [who] has to spark the flame right now for us… We practiced it all week, and all week in preparation helps you a lot.”
For Allen and his fellow Eagles, the journey isn’t just about wins and losses but also about resilience, unity, and growth. With a challenging end to the season ahead, Allen remains focused, eager to give his best, and hopeful to contribute to a lasting impact on EMU’s program.
