Football - The Eastern Echo

COLUMN: Assault should not be treated differently for athletes

By Al Willman · Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014

This past week was an absolute nightmare for the National Football League and its commissioner Roger Goodell. It started Monday when a video surfaced of Ray Rice - who was indicted in March when he knocked out his wife Jenay, who was his fiancée at the time, in the elevator of a New Jersey hotel – physically knocking her out.

Five things to take away from EMU's 17-3 loss to Old Dominion

By Al Willman · Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014

The Eastern Michigan University football team fell to Old Dominion University, Saturday, 17-3. Here are the five biggest takeaways from the game.

Eagles fall to Old Dominion, 17-3

By Al Willman · Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014

The Eastern Michigan University football team lost its second straight game, Saturday, 17-3, to the Old Dominion University Monarchs in Norfolk, Va. Sophomore Brogan Roback started for the Eagles (1-2). He was 9-of-17 passing, for 56 yards.

A bit about the defensive co-captain who almost wasn't

By Al Willman · Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014

Senior safety/linebacker Pudge Cotton is one of the defensive captains on the Eastern Michigan University football team – but he almost wasn’t. Cotton, who has been playing football since he was young, said he quit after a short time because he didn’t see himself as being good. It took some convincing to get back on the field.

After lopsided loss to Florida, Eagles ready to regroup vs. Old Dominion

By Al Willman · Monday, Sept. 8, 2014

Following the Eastern Michigan University football team’s 65-0 loss to the University of Florida, Saturday, the team held its weekly press conference in the media room of the Convocation Center.

Five things to take away from EMU's 65-0 loss to Florida

By Al Willman · Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014

The Eastern Michigan University football team lost a 65-0 blowout at the hands of the University of Florida Gators on Saturday – here are the five biggest things to take away from it.

Eagles blown out by Florida, 65-0

By Al Willman · Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014

The Eastern Michigan University football team traveled to Gainesville, Fla. Saturday for a matchup against the University of Florida and left on the wrong side of a 65-0 blowout against the Gators.

Darius Scott (1), Jay Jones (9) and Quincy Jones (8).

Update: Victim of alleged assault by EMU football players was cousin of suspect in Demarius Reed murder

By Drew Saunders · Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014

Three Eastern Michigan University Football players, Quincy Jones, Darius Scott and Jay Jones, were brought into court on assault charges, Wednesday according to a report from MLive. The alleged victim, Demarko Taylor, 24, is the cousin of Kristopher Pratt, the Detroit man who pleaded guilty to the second degree murder of EMU wide receiver Demarius Reed. According to the police, no weapons were used in the assault.

Report: 3 Eastern football players charged with assault

By Al Willman · Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014

Three Eastern Michigan University football players were reportedly charged with assault stemming from an incident which took place off-campus Friday afternoon, according to a Monday afternoon MLive story.

EMU football releases depth chart for regular season opener

By Al Willman · Monday, Aug. 25, 2014

Eastern Michigan University first-year football coach Chris Creighton released his depth chart to start the 2014 season Monday afternoon.

Morgan State football player dies over the weekend

By Al Willman · Monday, Aug. 25, 2014

Morgan State University freshman defensive lineman Marquise Meadow, 18, died Sunday after becoming disoriented during a workout two weeks ago, according to the Washington Post.

Reggie Bell named starting QB vs. Morgan State

By Al Willman · Monday, Aug. 25, 2014

Eastern Michigan University football coach Chris Creighton took part in his first Mid-American Conference teleconference Monday morning and wasted no time naming redshirt freshman quarterback Reggie Bell the starter for the Aug. 30 regular season opener against Morgan State University.

New coach, different attitude highlight optimistic EMU football team

By Al Willman · Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014

After the emotional roller coaster the Eastern Michigan University football team rode last year – the death of receiver Demarius Reed, the firing of former coach Ron English and the usual attendance woes – it appears as if first-year coach Chris Creighton has made strides toward improving the atmosphere in the locker room.

SPORTS COLUMN: EMU needs to add Demarius Reed to the Ring of Honor at Rynearson Stadium, retire his jersey

By Al Willman · Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014

The Eastern Michigan University athletic department announced Tuesday in a story on its website that construction on “The Factory” – the nickname it gave to Rynearson Stadium – was complete.There’s only one thing wrong – it’s not.

EMU Football adds 3 non-conference games to schedule

By Andrew Mascharka · Monday, July 28, 2014

The Eastern Michigan University football team has announced three future non-conference games to its schedule according to the 2014 EMU media guide. On Sept.

Final arguments begin in trial of Ed Thomas

By Drew Saunders · Monday, July 28, 2014

The final arguments for the trial of Ed Thomas in the murder of EMU wide receiver Demarius Reed started at 8:30, Monday. Thomas is accused of felony murder or assisting in murder, as well as armed robbery. Nimish Gantra, assistant prosecuting attorney for Washtenaw County began the closing arguments.

EMU football team lands highly touted transfer

By Al Willman · Friday, July 18, 2014

After reports surfaced earlier this week, the Eastern Michigan University athletic department officially announced the transfer of Rob Bolden from Louisiana State University late Friday afternoon. He will be eligible for the 2014 season.

First defendant pleads guilty in shooting of Demarius Reed

By Drew Saunders · Friday, July 18, 2014

The case of murdered Eastern Michigan University football player Demarius Reed took a new twist Friday morning when one of the accused men, Kristopher Pratt, 20 of Detroit, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

COLUMN: Putting The Factory in perspective

By Al Willman · Sunday, June 22, 2014

Thursday’s announcement by Heather Lyke, Eastern Michigan University Vice President and Director of Athletics and football coach Chris Creighton of the installation of grey turf at Rynearson Stadium (henceforth called “The Factory”) has already sparked a great deal of discussion on social media – most of it negative.

Prosecution, defense plan two pretrials in Reed case

By Drew Saunders · Monday, June 9, 2014

The pretrial hearing for Ed Jameal Thomas and Kristopher Pratt was held in court room 9 of the Washtenaw County courthouse June 2, with the Honorable Donald E. Shelton presiding.