Football - The Eastern Echo

Desmond Kelly’s senior season has been special on and off the field

By Luke Gremban and Charles Post · Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019

Desmond Kelly is a senior defensive tackle for the Eastern Michigan football team, who stands at 6’1” and 311 pounds. He has been a player to watch for the Eagles during his senior year. On Sept. 21 2019, Kelly proposed to his girlfriend after an Eastern Michigan win over Central Connecticut 34-29. Kelly brought his girlfriend to the middle of the field, and with the team jumping and shouting around him, proposed to her. She said “yes.”

Myrick and EMU defense prepare for the road ahead

By Zach Sturgill · Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019

Terry Myrick, junior linebacker, has been a force for the Eagles defense in 2019. He has a total of 18 solo tackles and 31 total tackles, both third best on Eastern Michigan. He also had a forced fumble in the Week 2 game against Kentucky. Myrick is playing 2019 as a regular starter for the first time. He started his first career game last year against Monmouth.

Chippewas ground the Eagles en route to 42-16 win

By Joey Pisaneschi · Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019

Eastern Michigan fell to Central Michigan by a final score of 42-16 in their first conference game of the season, falling to a record of 3-2. Central Michigan ran away with the win behind a strong performance from star running back Jonathan Ward. The Eagles struggled to contain Ward all game long. He ended up with 132 yards rushing for two touchdowns as well as 73 yards receiving and another score.

Week 6 Preview: Eastern Michigan heads to play Central Michigan on the road

By Joey Pisaneschi · Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019

With the bye week behind them, head coach Chris Creighton and the Eagles now set their sights on the Chippewas of Central Michigan. Eastern Michigan is looking to win its second straight game over the Chippewas after a 17-7 victory last season.

Mickey Rewolinski announces commitment to Eagles

By Charles Post · Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019

Mickey Rewolinski announced his commitment to the Eastern Michigan football team on Sunday, Sept. 22. Rewolinski is a 3-star offensive lineman and defensive end for Union Grove High School in Wisconsin. He is 6’6”, 260 pounds and is going to be an offensive lineman for the Eagles. Rewolinski announced his commitment via Twitter.

Eagles football wins four straight 'player of the week' awards

By Zach Sturgill · Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019

The Eagles have had a player named Athlete of the Week for the first four weeks of the regular season in the MAC West. Senior quarterback Mike Glass III was named Offensive Player of the Week twice following the victories over Coastal Carolina and Illinois. Brody Hoying earned Defensive Player of the Week after the loss versus Kentucky, and Mathew Sexton won Special Teams Player of the Week following the most recent win over Central Connecticut State. Chad Ryland also won Special Teams Player of the Week after his game-winning kick against Illinois.

Reviewing the first month of the Eagles football season

By Charles Post and Joey Pisaneschi · Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019

The Eastern Michigan Eagles hold the best record in the Mid-American Conference at 3-1 after one month of play. This is just the second time in head coach Chris Creighton's tenure in Ypsilanti that the Eagles have gotten off to such a start. The Eagles have wins over Coastal Carolina, Illinois and Central Connecticut State. The loss was on the road against Kentucky.

Around the MAC: Eastern Michigan stole the show with last-second victory over Central Connecticut State

By Joey Pisaneschi · Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019

The action has been tighter than ever with one month now behind us in the 2019 college football season. Teams combined for just a 3-6 record in a tough week overall for the Mid-American Conference. Eastern Michigan is the first team with three wins after their victory over Central Connecticut State, thanks to late game heroics from Matthew Sexton. The Eagles will take on rival Central Michigan on Oct. 5 following their bye week.

EMU wide receiver stays humble despite a strong start to his 2019 campaign

By Joey Pisaneschi · Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019

Just four games into his sophomore season, wide receiver Dylan Drummond leads all Eastern Michigan receivers with 19 receptions as the team finished their non-conference schedule with a 3-1 record. Drummond has become an essential part of the Eagles' offense, forming great chemistry with senior quarterback Mike Glass III but the wide receiver still isn't satisfied.

Eastern Michigan football wins home opener in thrilling fashion

By Joey Pisaneschi · Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019

Eastern Michigan held a 28-15 lead over the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils with just over 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. However, after allowing a one-yard touchdown run by Keonte Lucas and a 68-yard strike from Aaron Winchester to Tyshaun James, the Eagles found themselves staring at a one point deficit with just 20 seconds remaining. That is until Matthew Sexton made the game-winning play.

Around the MAC: Eagles tied for first place in West

By Charles Post and Joey Pisaneschi · Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019

Heading into the final week of the non-conference portion of the schedule for the Eastern Michigan football team and the rest of the MAC, both divisions of the conference are tight from top to bottom. None of the 14 teams are undefeated but three programs lead the way with a 2-1 record. Those teams are Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan. The Eagles are fresh off an upset victory over then-undefeated Illinois.

Week 4 Preview: Eagles take on Blue Devils in home opener

By Joey Pisaneschi · Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019

The Eastern Michigan Eagles have a chance to accomplish something that has only been done once in head coach Chris Creighton's tenure with the team, which is starting the season with a 3-1 record. The Eagles will have a chance to do so when they face Central Connecticut State on Saturday Sept. 21 at Rynearson Stadium in the home opener.

EMU marching band performs halftime show at Ford Field

By Isabella Wykowski · Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019

Eastern Michigan’s marching band, also known as the “Pride of the Peninsula,” performed at the Detroit Lions season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. At halftime, nearly 200 students took the field to perform Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” Usher’s “DJ Got Us Falling In Love” and Beyoncé‘s “Crazy in Love.”

Former Eagles players face each other in the NFL

By Zach Sturgill · Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019

Former Eastern Michigan football players faced off against one another in the NFL on Sunday, Sept. 15. Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Andrew Wylie played Oakland Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. These two NFL starters were on the Eagles team in 2015 and 2016.

Eastern Michigan upsets the Big Ten's Illinois with last-second field goal

By Charles Post and Joey Pisaneschi · Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019

After defeating Rutgers in 2017 and Purdue in 2018, Eastern Michigan has defeated an opponent from the Big Ten conference for the third consecutive season. The Eagles upset the previously unbeaten Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday by a final score of 34-31. Sophomore kicker Chad Ryland made a 24-yard field goal as time expired to seal the Eastern Michigan victory. Ryland converted on both of his field goal attempts, including a career-high of 52 yards. He also connected on all but one of his extra-point tries.

Quian Williams continues to make major impact in sophomore season

By Joey Pisaneschi · Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019

Playing in just four games as a redshirt freshman, wide receiver Quian Williams of Oklahoma City gained valuable playing experience with the Eagles but did not record any receptions. However, his sophomore season has gotten off to a very promising start. After the first two games of 2019, Williams has found himself in a position where he is one of quarterback Mike Glass III's favorite targets. Williams has already snagged eight passes for 92 total yards and his first career touchdown.

Week 3 Preview: Eagles hoping for another Big Ten upset

By Charles Post and Joey Pisaneschi · Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019

The Eastern Michigan football program took a tough loss at the hands of the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, September 7, by a final score of 38-17. The Eagles now set their sights on the Fighting Illini of the University of Illinois, who earned a 31-23 victory against Connecticut a week ago. Despite a season-high 337 passing yards by QB Mike Glass III, the Eagles found the end zone just twice, both coming through the air. Glass also threw his first two interceptions of the season against the Wildcats.

Eastern Michigan football travels to play Kentucky in Lexington

Eastern Michigan football loses to Kentucky, falls to 1-1 on the year

By Charles Post and Joey Pisaneschi · Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019

The Eastern Michigan Eagles fell to the Kentucky Wildcats, 38-17, on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Kroger Field in Lexington. Senior quarterback Mike Glass III had 337 yards in the loss. With the loss, the Eagles fall to 1-1 on the season, while Kentucky stays perfect with a 2-0 record. The Wildcats out-gained Eastern Michigan, 461-386 in total yardage. Arthur Jackson III led the Eagles in receiving with 71 yards on five catches.

Week 2 Preview: Eastern Michigan looks to upset Kentucky

By Charles Post and Joseph Pisaneschi · Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019

Fresh off a 30-23 victory over the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina, the Eastern Michigan Eagles remain on the road for a battle with the Kentucky Wildcats out of the SEC on Saturday, Sept. 7. The University of Kentucky spent a majority of the 2018 college football season in the top 25 of the AP Poll. The Wildcats defeated MAC rival Toledo in its previous game by a score of 38-24. Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson, took the reigns of the offense and completed 19 of 26 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns.

Myles McNeal talks Eagles football and senior season

By Charles Post · Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019

Myles McNeal, who is a 3-star recruit according to 247 Sports, committed to play for the Eastern Michigan football program on April 16, 2019. He is scheduled to graduate from Grand Blanc Community High School in 2020 and will join the Eagles team following that. McNeal is a 5’11”, 180-pound cornerback for the Grand Blanc Bobcats, and is rated the 50th best player in the state of Michigan.