Football - The Eastern Echo

EMU Ranks Last in MAC Preseason Poll

By Robert Hull · Friday, July 31, 2015

It’s a spot Eastern Michigan’s football team knows all too much about as for the third straight year EMU ranks last among six teams in the Mid-American Conference West Division.

Four Eagles Named to Preseason Award Watch Lists

By Robert Hull · Monday, July 20, 2015

Year after year college football experts, reporters, and committees compile a list of the best college football players across the country at their respective positions.

2015 MAC Football Preview Guide

By Thomas Bieszk · Sunday, June 28, 2015

Eastern Michigan Eagles Head Coach: Chris Creighton 2nd Season Record at EMU: 2-10 Record Last Season: 2-10, 1-7 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 14-46 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Reggie Bell- 1,297 yards passing, 9 TDs Defense: DL Pat O’Connor- 64 tackles, 7.5 sacks Western Michigan Broncos Head Coach: PJ Fleck 3rd Season Record at WMU: 9-16 Record Last Season: 8-5, 6-2 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 26-36 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: RB Jarvion Franklin- 1,551 yards, 24 TDs Defense: LB Grant DePalma- 102 tackles, 8 TFL Central Michigan Chippewas Head Coach: John Bonamego 1st Season Record at CMU: 0-0 Record Last Season: 7-6, 5-3 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 26-36 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Cooper Rush- 2,664 yards, 20 TDs Defense: DB Tony Annese- 74 tackles, 3 INT Ball State Cardinals Head Coach: Pete Lembo 5th Season Record at BSU: 30-20 Record Last Season: 5-7, 4-4 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 34-28 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Jack Milos- 1,302 yards, 9 TDs Defense: LB Ben Ingle- 87 tackles Northern Illinois Huskies Head Coach: Rod Carey 3rd Season Record at NIU: 23-6 Record Last Season: 11-3, 7-1 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 57-13 (2011, 2012, 2014 MAC Champions) Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Drew Hare- 2,322 yards, 18 TDs Defense: DE Perez Ford- 54 tackles, 9 TFL, 5 sacks Toledo Rockets Head Coach: Matt Campbell 4th Season Record at UT: 26-13 Record Last Season: 9-4, 7-1 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 42-22 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: RB Kareem Hunt- 1,631 yards, 16 TDs Defense: DE/LB Trent Voss- 77 tackles, 15 TFL Bowling Green Falcons Head Coach: Dino Babers 2nd Season Record at BGSU: 8-6 Record Last Season: 8-6, 5-3 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 33-32 (2013 MAC Champions) Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: RB Travis Greene- 949 yards, 12 TDs Defense: DB Nick Johnson- 72 tackles, 5 INTs Ohio Bobcats Head Coach: Frank Solich 10th Season Record at Ohio: 72-56 Record Last Season: 6-6, 4-4 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 40-25 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: RB AJ Ouellette- 785 yards, 7 TDs Defense: LB Jovon Johnson- 67 tackles, 10 TFL Buffalo Bulls Head Coach: Alex Wood 1st Full Season Record at UB: 2-2 Record Last Season: 5-6, 3-4 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 22-38 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Joe Licata-2,647 yards, 29 TDs Defense: LB Jarrett Franklin- 48 tackles Akron Zips Head Coach: Terry Bowden 4th Season Record at Akron: 11-25 Record Last Season: 5-7, 3-5 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 13-47 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Kyle Pohl- 2,189 yards, 9 TDs Defense: LB Jatavis Brown- 99 tackles, 14 TFL Miami Redhawks Head Coach: Chuck Martin 2nd Season Record at Miami: 2-10 Record Last Season: 2-10, 2-6, 5-3 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 20-42 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Andrew Hendrix-3,280 yards, 23 TDs Defense: DB Heath Harding- 97 Tackles, 2 INTs Kent State Golden Flashes Head Coach: Paul Haynes 3rd Season Record at KSU: 6-17 Record Last Season: 2-9, 1-6 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 27-34 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Colin Reardon- 2,466 yards, 14 TDs Defense: DB Nate Holley- 137 tackles

Eagles invited to NFL Rookie Camps

By Thomas Bieszk · Thursday, May 7, 2015

Five former Eastern Michigan football players have found themselves on NFL teams as undrafted rookie mini-camp invitees.

Eastern Michigan tight end Tyreese Russell catches the ball against Morgan State.

Two Eagles sign with Lions

By Thomas Bieszk · Sunday, May 3, 2015

Two former Eastern Michigan football players have found themselves in the NFL. Former EMU TE Tyreese Russell and QB Rob Bolden have both signed with the Detroit Lions as undrafted free agents. Russell spent all four years of eligibility with the Eagles, while Bolden only played with EMU during the 2014 season after stops at Penn State and LSU. Russell, a 6’3” tight end out of Chicago, recorded 39 catches for 523 yards with three touchdowns during his senior season and started every game at tight end for the Eagles the past two seasons.

Eagles hold Spring Game

By Thomas Bieszk · Sunday, April 5, 2015

It is an annual tradition around college football for a team to showcase early progress from offseason workouts in a spring scrimmage, and Eastern Michigan is no different, holding its yearly spring game Saturday afternoon in Ypsilanti.

NFL scouts come to EMU

By Scout Bostley · Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Spring football practice continues at Eastern Michigan University, professional scouts stopped by to watch EMU seniors work out. A total of 18 scouts from the National Football League and Canadian Football League visited EMU for the event, which allowed the former Eagles to display their talents in a format that mirrors the NFL Scouting Combine. The students who participated were: Tyler Allen (Lansing, Mich.-Eastern), Campbell Allison(Kagawong, Ontario-Ogdensburg Free Academy), Rob Bolden (Orchard Lake, Mich.-Orchard Lake St.

2015 football season schedule preview

By Thomas Bieszk · Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015

As spring workouts begin for Eastern Michigan University’s football team, head coach Chris Creighton and his team, can now start the process of game-planning officially with the schedule released for the upcoming season. For the third straight season, EMU opens up at home, welcoming in Old Dominion Sept.

EMU football fills 25 scholarships for 2015

By Thomas Bieszk · Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015

Centered around college football, National Signing Day is a day where thousands of high school football players take their next steps in life and choose which college they will play for after they graduate. Creighton’s staff was able to fill all 25 scholarships with 21 incoming freshman and four junior college transfers.

Eastern Michigan offensive lineman Ka'John Armstrong holds the wrench in the Eagles 51-7 loss to Western Michigan Saturday afternoon in Kalamazoo.

EMU football 2015 schedule

By Thomas Bieszk · Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015

The 2015 non-conference schedule has been set. Eastern Michigan University football will open at home for the third straight season, hosting Old Dominion Sept.

Eagle 2015 schedule

By Thomas Beiszk · Friday, Jan. 9, 2015

The 2015 non-conference schedule has been set. Eastern Michigan University will open at home for the third straight season, hosting Old Dominion Sept. 5. This will be the second straight season the Eagles face the Monarchs, losing to them 17-3 last year on the road.

Three Eagles pick up MAC honors in football

By Thomas Bieszk · Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014

While the Eastern Michigan football team struggled to a third straight 2-10 season, there were bright-spots amidst the gloom, as three players earned positions on the All-MAC list. Junior defensive lineman Pat O’Connor headlines as the lone Eagle to earn first-team honors.

Five things to take away from Eastern Michigan's 2-10 season

By Al Willman · Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014

Instead of taking five things away from Eastern Michigan’s 52-16 loss Friday to the University of Toledo – because in all honesty there isn’t much to say that I haven’t already said at some point this season – I’m going to share my five takeaways from the team's 2-10 season in this, my final official column with the Echo.

Eastern Michigan running back Darius Jackson rushes the ball in the Eagles 52-16 loss to Toledo Friday afternoon in Ypsilanti.

Eagles finish 2-10 with 52-16 loss to Toledo

By Al Willman · Friday, Nov. 28, 2014

The Eastern Michigan football team’s 52-16 loss to the University of Toledo Friday was Chris Creighton’s 10th loss of the season – finishing his first losing season as a collegiate football coach.

Final: Toledo 52, EMU 16

By Al Willman · Friday, Nov. 28, 2014

The Eastern Michigan football team took on the University of Toledo in the final game of the regular season Friday afternoon at Rynearson Stadium. At the half, the Eagles were down 42-9.

Photo by Sage StephensSome of the debris made it to the hill in Rynearson Stadium, but did not make it as far as the field.

Strong winds damage Convocation Center awning

By Nora Naughton · Monday, Nov. 24, 2014

Part of the awning over the main entrance to the Convocation Center was blown off in the strong winds Monday. The main entrance to the building is closed until further notice. Debris has blown into Rynearson Stadium, but has not reached the football field.

Five things to take away from EMU's 45-30 loss to Ball State

By Al Willman · Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014

Five things to take away from Eastern Michigan’s 45-30 loss to Ball State University.

EMU football loses fifth straight game, 45-30 to Ball State

By Al Willman · Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014

The Eastern Michigan football team lost its fifth consecutive game Saturday, 45-30 to Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. Each of the team’s last five losses have been against Mid-American Conference opponents.

Despite disappointment with loss to Western Michigan, football team looks ahead to Ball State

By Al Willman · Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014

Saturday’s 51-7 loss to Western Michigan was disappointing for Eastern Michigan football coach Chris Creighton and his team – he said that after the game and he said it again Monday morning at the team’s weekly news conference at the Convocation Center.

Five things to take away from EMU's 51-7 loss to Western Michigan

By Al Willman · Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014

Five things to take away from EMU’s 51-7 loss to Western Michigan.