EASTERN MICHIGAN (2-10, 1-7)
After an impressive 2011 season that saw the Eagles go 6-6 overall and 4-4 in the Mid American Conference and saw coach Ron English awarded MAC Coach of the Year, Eastern Michigan took a step back last year and finished with a 2-10 overall record and a 1-7 mark in the MAC. It has not been easy for English and the Eagles to win – he has just 10 wins in his first four years at the helm. Conference respectability is what all EMU players and fans are looking for — something they got in 2011 and lost in 2012.
OFFENSE: Last year, the Eagles had two players who saw considerable time under center – Alex Gillett, who played five games and Tyler Benz, who played the other seven. Benz, who threw for 1,511 yards and 14 touchdowns in his time on the field, is back as a red-shirt junior, while Gillett graduated. Eastern Michigan also has its leading rusher back in junior Bronson Hill, who rushed for 944 yards and six touchdowns. Some key pieces are back, but it remains to be seen if they are enough. The Eagles will need better line play, but they can get that with some decent returning talent.
DEFENSE: The Eastern Michigan defense lost two of its top three tacklers from last year. The only returner from that group is junior strong safety Donald Coleman, who ended 2012 with 88 tackles. Aside from Coleman, eight other lettermen do return on the defense, but improving a unit that gave up 5,747 yards and 37.6 points per game last year is critical. The MAC is too tough not to have a unit that plays some defense.
OUR TAKE: Winning at Eastern Michigan is not easy, not even for a successful coach like English, who has a great resume and pedigree. The Eagles did prove they can win in 2011, and they would like to repeat that this year. This team can score some points, but so can their opponents. It could be another long year in Ypsilanti.
COACH’S COMMENT: “You know I’ve been doing this 21 years, and there are always expectations, but more than that, I’m concerned with developing players. I’m in a role where I can have a significant impact in developing players,” English told the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun recently.
SCHEDULE:
8/31 HOWARD 6 p.m.
9/7 Penn State Noon
9/14 Rutgers 1 p.m.
9/21 BALL STATE 1 p.m.
10/5 Buffalo Noon
10/12 Army Noon
10/19 OHIO 1 p.m.
10/26 Northern Illinois 2:30 p.m.
11/2 Toledo 7 p.m.
11/9 WESTERN MICHIGAN 1 p.m.
11/23 BOWLING GREEN 1 p.m.
11/29 Central Michigan TBA