2008 Eastern Michigan Eagles - Rec. Class

Eastern Michigan Eagles 2008 Head Coach: Jeff Genyk

Eastern Michigan Eagles

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class

Eric Morrison DB 5-10 185 Fr. Charleston, W.Va.-George Washington-Fork Union Academy
All-State selection as a senior at George Washington H.S. in Charleston, W.Va....Helped lead Fork Union to a 9-2 record in 2007.

Potential Instant Impact Players

Jon Pryor DB 5-9 175 Fr. Monroeville, Pa.-Gateway
As a senior he recorded 31 tackles and had two interceptions before missing six games with a broken collarbone...Also played wide receiver with eight catches for 135 yards and a touchdown...Named All-Conference and was a member of the West squad for the state of Pennsylvania’s East-West All-Star game...Singled out by ESPN for the play of the month in November 2007 when he helped Gateway score a touchdown on a hook-and-lateral play that helped force overtime in the WPIAL Class AAAA championship game at Heinz Field.

Dominique Sherrer RB 5-11 190 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio-Colerain
Named first-team Division I All-State by the AP ...Ran for 1,443 yards with 29 touchdowns as a senior...Averaged 111 yards a game and 6.99 yards per carry...Also caught four passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Rest of the Class
Alex Beierwalter QB 6-2 195 Fr. Chesterton, Ind.-Chesterton
Corey Brown RB 5-11 180 Fr. Troy, Ohio-Troy
Darrion Brown WR 6-0 185 Fr. West Chester, Ohio-Cincinnati Withrow
Juandez Brown QB 6-3 190 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio-Cincinnati Withrow
Steve Brown LB 6-0 210 Fr. Palmyra, Va.-St. Anne’s Belfield-Fork Union Academy
L’shane Bynum LB 6-1 210 Fr. Taylor, Mich.-Truman
Kyle DeMaster LB 6-2 200 Fr. Macomb, Mich.-Dakota
David Dick, Jr. OL 6-3 220 Fr. New Carlisle, Ohio-Wayne
Ryan Kuhlman DL 6-4 235 Fr. Findlay, Ohio-Findlay
Scott MacLeod OL 6-7 295 Fr. Sterling Heights, Mich.-Warren DeLaSalle
Korey Neal OL 6-2 265 Fr. Bowie, Md.-St. John’s
Kyle Pollock TE 6-3 260 Jr. Grover Beach, Calif.-Arroyo Grande-
Allan Hancock (Calif.) J.C.
Javon Reese DL 6-3 220 Fr. Ft. Wayne, Ind.-Southside
Marcell Rose DB 5-9 180 Fr. Orlando, Fla.-Cyrpress Creek
Marvon Sanders WR 5-9 160 Fr. Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsilanti
Kalven Seilis DL 6-5 230 Fr. Holland Landing, Ontario, Can.-Huron
Heights
Drew Serruto DL 6-3 245 Fr. Dayton, Ohio-Centerville
Tyler Thomas RB 5-9 190 Fr. Jackson, Mich.-Jackson
Mark VanDenburgh OL 6-4 290 Fr. Chesterton, Ind.- Chesterton
Cory Watman OL 6-2 280 Fr. Queensville, Ontario, Can.-Huron
Heights
Josh Williams Ath. 6-1 210 Fr. Ortonville, Mich.-Brandon
Mike Zupancic LS 6-5 255 Fr. Trabuco Canyon, Calif.-Trabuco Hills

- 2007 EMU Season
- 2007 EMU Preview 
- 2006 EMU Season

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 2-10
2007 Season: 4-8

Sept. 1 at Pitt L 27-3
Sept. 8 Ball State L 38-16
Sept. 15 at No Illinois W 21-19
Sept. 22 Howard W 38-15
Sept. 29 at Vanderbilt L 30-7
Oct. 6 at Michigan L 33-22
Oct. 13 at Ohio L 48-32
Oct. 19 Nwestern L 26-14
Oct. 27 Western Mich W 19-2
Nov. 3 at Toledo L 52-28
Nov. 9 Bo. Green L 39-32
Nov. 16 at CMU  W 48-45

2008 Early Lookahead
Why to get excited: There were several signs of life throughout the season with the offense showing late in the year it could keep up in a few shootouts. QB Andy Schmitt is a good veteran who knows the offense and should come up with more big plays, while the defense has the potential to be the best in the Jeff Genyk era with almost everyone returning, including LB Daniel Holtzclaw. P Zach Johnson is back after leading the nation's sixth best punting game.
Why to be grouchy: The D line struggled to get into the backfield, and that was with an NFL-caliber tackle in Jason Jones and DE Eric Young. Those two are gone. RB Pierre Walker came on over the last four games to finally provide a spark to the running game, and now he's done
The number one thing to work on is: Getting more from the passing game. The graduation of Eric Deslauriers was bigger than it originally seemed with nothing coming from the receivers. The line gave the quarterbacks time, but there weren't any yards after the catch and there wasn't anyone who threw a scare into defenses. With several good MAC passing attacks to deal with, EMU will have to figure out how to keep up the pace.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Pierre Walker
Biggest defensive loss: DT Jason Jones
Best returning offensive player: QB Andy Schmitt, Jr.
Best returning defensive player: LB Daniel Holtzclaw, Sr.

2007 Recap
Recap: It was, to say the least, a strange year for Eastern Michigan, which beat in-state rivals Central Michigan and Western Michigan to win the Michigan MAC Trophy, yet won only two other times.  In all, the Eagles felt pretty good about their progress in 2007, improving by three games over the prior year and playing well even when they lost.  An opportunistic group, EMU was No. 2 in the league in turnover margin, and surprisingly sound in the trenches, paving the way for a monster finish from RB Pierre Walker.               

Offensive Player of the Year: RB Pierre Walker

Defensive Player of the Year: LB Daniel Holtzclaw

Biggest Surprise: Beating Western Michigan was a surprise, but handling Central Michigan, the eventual MAC champion, was a shocker.  Rallying from a 38-28 deficit in the fourth quarter, Eastern Michigan got huge days on the ground from Walker and QB Andy Schmitt to leave Mt. Pleasant with a season-ending 48-45 upset.       

Biggest Disappointment: A visit from Bowling Green on Nov. 9 was one that got away for Eastern Michigan.  The Eagles got off to a smoking start and ran the ball extremely well, but blew leads three different times, the last one on a Tyler Sheehan touchdown plunge late in the final quarter.     

Looking Ahead: Through improved recruiting, Jeff Genyk has Eastern Michigan gradually moving in a northerly direction.  Assuming the Eagles develop an adequate replacement for Walker and build on last year’s strides, a .500 record could be within reach in 2008.

Nov 16
Eastern Michigan 48 ... Central Michigan 45
Pierre Walker scored his third touchdown with 3:08 to play, but the extra point failed allowing CMU one final shot in the shootout. Dan LeFevour got the Chippewas down to the EMU 14, but an unsportsmanlike penalty pushed it back to the 34 and a fourth and 30. Andrew Aguila's 52-yard field goal attempt went wide left to seal the Eagle win. LeFevour ran for three touchdowns for CMU on the way to a 38-28 lead, but the Eagle rallied in the fourth quarter on a three-yard Andy Schmitt touchdown run, his third score of the day, and Walker ran for an 11-yard score to give EMU the lead, before Justin Hoskins ran for a 12-yard touchdown to give CMU its final lead.
Player of the game: Eastern Michigan RB Pierre Walker ran 31 times for 149 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Eastern Michigan - Passing: Andy Schmitt, 25-34, 212 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Pierre Walker, 31-149, 3 TD. Receiving: Jacory Stone, 7-58
Central Michigan - Passing: Dan LeFevour, 26-47, 246 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Justin Hoskins, 11-133, 2 TD. Receiving: Justin Gardner, 7-65
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Finishing off the season with a clutch win over Central Michigan puts a gap on a nice finishing kick. EMU might have only won two of its final eight games, but it won two of the last four and was competitive against Bowling Green and Toledo. The team was competitive last year in several close losses, and now there were a few wins to close out. Better yet, the team got better as the season went on. Will it be enough for Jeff Genyk to stay around? Possibly.

Nov 9
Bowling Green 39 ... Eastern Michigan 32
Tyler Sheehan snuck it in from a yard out with just under four minutes to play to give Bowling Green the lead, and Eastern Michigan failed to respond with its final drive halted on a fourth down incompletion. Eastern Michigan got 155 yards and a five-yard touchdown run from Pierre Walker, along with two touchdown passes and an eight-yard scoring run from Andy Schmitt. The Falcons always had a response, getting a fumble recovery for a score early in the third quarter and two Anthony Turner touchdown runs. It was a nearly dead-even game with BGSU outgaining EMU 419 yards to 403.
Player of the game: Bowling Green QB Tyler Sheehan completed 20 of 32 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown with an interception, and ran ten times for 65 yards and a score.
Stat Leaders: Eastern Michigan - Passing: Andy Schmitt, 12-18, 134 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Pierre Walker, 31-155, 1 TD. Receiving: Ken Bohnet, 3-23, 1 TD
Bowling Green - Passing: Tyler Sheehan, 20-32, 230 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Tyler Sheehan, 10-65, 1 TD. Receiving: Anthony Turner, 6-53
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Pierre Walker had yet another tremendous game, running for 155 yards on Bowling Green, but the team failed to capitalize on a strong first half to take a big lead, and the Falcons were able to come back in the second half. The Eagle played a solid game offensively, but the defense struggled for the second straight week despite staying off the field for extended stretches. The Eagles finish up with West champion Central Michigan, but the Chippewas don't have anything to play for. EMU has to take advantage for its fourth win of the year.

Nov 3
Toledo 52 ... Eastern Michigan 28
Toledo cranked out 600 yards of total offense, and it needed most of them despite getting out to a 28-7 first half lead on Jalen Parmele touchdown runs from 31 and 29 yards out, and touchdown catches from 20 and 64 yards away from Stephen Williams. Eastern Michigan's Pierre Walker went nuts with 168 yards and scoring runs from one yard, three yards and one yard out to help make it interesting. But every time the Eagles made if close, Toledo pulled away. Parmele finished with three touchdown runs and DaJuane Collins added two rushing touchdowns as the Rocket rolled up 324 yards on the ground.
Player of the game: Toledo RB Jalen Parmele ran 22 times for 168 yards and three touchdowns. 
Stat Leaders: Eastern Michigan - Passing: Andy Schmitt, 10-17, 111 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Pierre Walker, 22-93, 3 TD. Receiving: Tyler Jones, 5-54
Toledo - Passing: Aaron Opelt, 17-29, 276 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Jalen Parmele, 22-168, 3 TD. Receiving: Stephen Williams, 6-150, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Where has Pierre Walker been hiding? After running for 151 yards against Western Michigan, he tore off 93 yards and three scores against Toledo to take the heat off Andy Schmitt and the passing game. Of course, the defense, a week after stuffing the Broncos, didn't have a prayer of keeping Toledo under wraps, but this was an aberration. Stopping Bowling Green next week, at least the passing game, will be a must, and Walker has to keep on producing for EMU to finish strong.

Oct. 27
Eastern Michigan 19 ... Western Michigan 2
Eastern Michigan held on to the ball for 40:29, including 12:41 in the fourth, getting a 55-yard Dontayo Gage touchdown run, a 19-yard Jacory Stone catch, and Zach Johnson field goals from 25 and 50 yards out as part of a 19-0 scoring run. Western Michigan started off the scoring with a sack for a safety, but the offense turned it over six times and only managed 199 yards of total offense.
Player of the game: Eastern Michigan RB Pierre Walker ran 33 times for 151 yards, and caught a pass for seven yards.
Stat Leaders: Western Michigan - Passing: Tim Hiller, 10-18, 117 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Brandon West, 10-37. Receiving: Jamarko Simmons, 6-59
Eastern Michigan - Passing: Kyle McMahon, 8-17, 74 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Pierre Walker, 33-151. Receiving: Jacory Stone, 5-70, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It could be argued that the win over Western Michigan was the best yet in the Jeff Genyk era. It was nearly perfect with great ball control on offense, tough defense that forced six turnovers, and a little bit of explosion to the ground game. There wasn't much of a passing game, but that's nitpicking in what needs to be seen as a possible turning point. Now a win over a high-powered Toledo team is a must to show that this wasn't a fluke.

Oct. 19
Northwestern 26 ... Eastern Michigan 14
It took Northwestern a while to wake up, but eventually, the offense got going with C.J. Bacher leading the offense 82 yards, with a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and then ended the drama with a 71-yard touchdown pass to Kim Thompson. EMU hung tough with Kyle McMahon, in for an injured Andy Schmitt at quarterback, running for scores from five and 19 yards out. Four turnovers proved costly for the Eagles, who were outgained 516 yards to 381.
Player of the game: Northwestern QB C.J. Bacher completed 41 of 58 passes for 470 yards and four touchdowns, and ran seven times for 21 yards and a score
Stat Leaders: Northwestern - Passing: C.J. Bacher, 41-58, 470 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Omar Conteh, 14-81. Receiving: Eric Peterman, 12-114, 1 TD
Eastern Michigan - Passing: Kyle McMahon, 28-48, 282 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Kyle McMahon, 13-44, 2 TD. Receiving: Tyler Jones, 8-104
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The EMU offense did a fairly decent job against Northwestern considering starting QB Andy Schmitt was out with a shoulder injury. As has been the problem all year long, there hasn't been any production from the running backs, and not enough big plays from the receiving corps. The big issues was red zone turnovers, as EMU had its chances, but didn't always taek advantage. Overall, the team is playing better, especially on defense, at least compared to last week against Ohio, but the result was still a fourth straight loss. Western Michigan is up next for what might amount as a must-win for the coaching staff.

Oct. 13
Ohio 48 ... Eastern Michigan 42
Ohio got out to a 28-0 lead helped by two Kalvin McRae touchdown runs, and then held on for deal life as EMU stormed back with 14 points in each of the last three quarter. Andy Schmitt threw four touchdown passes including two to Jacory Stone, and the defense got into the act with a 80-yard Derrick Hunter fumble return for a touchdown late in the second half. Tyler Jones caught two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, including a five-yarder with just over a minute to play, but the Bobcats recovered the onside kick. The two teams combined for 935 yards of total offense, and 19 penalties.
Player of the game: Ohio RB Kalvin McRae ran 32 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns, and caught two passes for 14 yards.
Stat Leaders: Ohio - Passing: Brad Bower, 18-29, 232 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 32-170, 2 TD. Receiving: Taylor Price, 5-83, 1 TD
Eastern Michigan - Passing: Andy Schmitt, 20-28, 210 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Andy Schmitt, 15-55. Receiving: Jacory Stone, 9-62, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The offense showed a pulse against Michigan, and then finally, for the first time all year, the attack exploded with a tremendous day against Ohio. In the end, the 28-0 deficit was too much to overcome, but Andy Schmitt was on fire, while Jacory Stone and Tyler Jones each had strong days burning the Bobcat secondary. Now the team has to put it all together again against a red-hot Northwestern offense. Can the Eagles get into another shootout? It had better be ready.

Oct. 6
Michigan 33 ... Eastern Michigan 22
It wasn't a smooth game, but Michigan was able to get ahead 10-0 and never trail, as Chad Henne connected with Adrian Arrington for a 31-yard touchdown, while Mike Hart became the school's all-time leading rusher and ran for scores from four, 24 and 17 yards out. Eastern Michigan stated alive early on two Zack Johnson field goals, and a two-point conversion off a blocked extra point, and pulled within two on a ten-yard Andy Schmitt touchdown run, but the Wolverines cranked out 17 straight points to finally pull away.
Player of the game: Michigan RB Michael Hart ran for 215 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries, catching three passes for 18 yards.
Stat Leaders: Eastern Michigan - Passing: Andy Schmitt, 15-28, 108 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Andy Schmitt, 9-41, 1 TD. Receiving: Travis Lewis, 4-54
Michigan - Passing: Chad Henne, 17-26, 195 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing: Mike Hart, 22-215, 3 TDs. Receiving: Adrian Arrington, 6-102, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Considering EMU was playing Michigan, this might have been the team's best game of the year. The defense didn't have a prayer of stopping Mike Hart, but no one has had any luck with that. For the first time in a while, the offense has shown signs of life, even if it was all Andy Schmitt, who did a nice job of using all his receivers and spreading it out. EMU simply doesn't have the playmakers to explode against a team like Michigan, but it found a way to stay competitive.

Sept. 29
Vanderbilt 31 ... Ole Miss 17
Vanderbilt got up 20-0, highlighted by a 47-yard Earl Bennett touchdown grab. Sean Walker scored from 17 yards out, and Bryant Hahnfeldt nailed three field goals. But the game was won on defense, as the Commodores forced six turnovers, with D.J. Moore taking a pick 24 yards for a touchdown. EMU got its only points on a 14-yard Travis Lewis catch in the third.
Player of the game: Vanderbilt WR Earl Bennett made nine catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Stat Leaders: Eastern Michigan - Passing: Andy Schmitt, 13-24, 111 yds, 1 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Pierre Walker, 13-34. Receiving: Ken Bohnet, 4-39
Vanderbilt - Passing: Chris Nickson, 14-28, 168 yds, 2 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Cassen Jackson-Garrison, 23-76. Receiving: Earl Bennett, 9-93, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... EMU isn't good enough to turn it over six times and commit nine penalties. The offense simply doesn't have any playmakers. That might sound like a broken record, but it continues to be an issue with nothing to count on, and next to nothing from the running game. The team didn't have a prayer after getting down early against Vanderbilt, and it's only going to get worse with road trips to Michigan and Ohio ahead.

Sept. 22
Eastern Michigan 38 ... Howard 15
Andy Schmitt threw four touchdown passes to four different receivers and Pierre Walker ran for a seven-yard score on the second play from scrimmage as the Eagles rolled to an easy win. EMU started off the game with an on-side kick and recovered, leading to the Walker score, and the rout was on. Down 31-0 late in the third, Howard scored twice late in the game with two Brian Johnson touchdown passes, but the Eagles would make the final score look better with a 12-yard Travis Lewis scoring grab with 35 seconds left. Daniel Holtzclaw made 19 tackles for EMU.
Player of the game: Eastern Michigan QB Andy Schmitt threw for 214 yards and four touchdown passes on 14-of-21 passing.
Stat Leaders: Howard - Passing: Brian Johnson, 20-32, 167 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing: Brian Johnson, 22-136. Receiving: Jarahn Williams, 5-25, 1 TD
Eastern Michigan - Passing: Andy Schmitt, 14-21, 214 yds, 4 TDs
Rushing: Pierre Walker, 16-52, 1 TD. Receiving: Jacory Stone, 4-66
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... With a two-game winning streak, it's time the program enjoys a little bit of the moment. Wins haven't been easy to come by in Ypsilanti, but now at 2-2, the hope is for a corner to finally be turned. Of course, beating Howard isn't anything to do carthwheels over, and there were way too many problems with the run defense, but the offense had its second straight decent week and is going into Vanderbilt on a roll.

Sept. 15
Eastern Michigan 21 ... Northern Illinois 19
Eric Young blocked a 50-yard NIU field goal attempt as time ran out to seal the two-point win for EMU. Daniel Holtzclaw picked off a pass that led to a Pierre Walker one-yard touchdown with 5:29 to play to give EMU a 21-13 lead, but NIU would bounce back. The Huskies went 58 yards in four plays with Brandon Davis catching a seven-yard touchdown pass with just over four minutes left, but the pass two point conversion attempt failed. EMU went three and out, giving the Huskies the ball back with 1:54 to play, leading to the ill-fated final drive. NIU held a 13-0 lead in the first half, but Walker got in from one-yard out with 22 seconds remaining. The Eagles took the lead on a 68-yard DeAnthony White touchdown dash, and never trailed the rest of the way.
Player of the game: Eastern Michigan LB Daniel Holtzclaw made 13 tackles, a tackle for loss, and an interception that set up the game-winning touchdown
Stat Leaders: Eastern Michigan - Passing: Andy Schmitt, 16-24, 189 yds
Rushing: DeAnthony White, 3-78, 1 TD. Receiving: DeAnthony White, 5-89
Northern Illinois - Passing: Dan Nicholson, 20-28, 160 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Justin Anderson, 28-168, 1 TD. Receiving: Justin Anderson, 6-45
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... For the first time in what seems like years, Eastern Michigan got explosion out of the offense, big plays from the defense, and real, live win over Northern Illinois. Andy Schmitt had an efficient day throwing the ball, but there weren't many long, sustained drives, needing the big play to generate points after a rocky start. With Howard up next, EMU can honestly think about a two-game winning streak.

Sept. 8
Ball State 38 ... Eastern Michigan 16
Ball State got four Nate Davis touchdown passes with three going to Dante Love on the way to an easy win. EMU had several chances to get into the game, but 24-pound run ended any hopes. The Eagles got a 67-yard touchdown catch from DeAnthony White and a 90-yard kickoff return for a score in the fourth quarter following a 27-yard Love scoring grab. 
Player of the game: Ball State QB Nate Davis threw for 306 yards and four touchdowns on 19-of-38 passing.
Stat Leaders: Ball State - Passing: Nate Davis, 19-38, 306 yds, 4 TDs
Rushing: MiQuale Lewis, 21-73, 1 TD. Receiving: Dante Love, 7-114, 2 TDs
Eastern Michigan - Passing: Andy Schmitt, 16-24, 155 yds, 1 TDs
Rushing: Pierre Walker, 15-65. Receiving: DeAnthony White, 7-94, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Eagles can't seem to make their own offensive breaks, and they weren't able to come up with any big second half drives to change the momentum against Ball State. The secondary couldn't stop Nate Davis and Dante Love, having a hard time getting the Cardinals off the field, and the running game didn't do nearly enough to force BSU to do anything drastic. Basically, the offense has to start going on longer drives and has to start giving the defense some breaks.

Sept. 1
Pitt 27 ... Eastern Michigan 3
Pitt had few problems with Eastern Michigan, but it took a quarter. The Eagles struck first on a 27-yard Sean Dutcher field goal, and then Pitt reeled off 27 unanswered points as Shane Brooks ran for two one-yard scores, Bill Stull hit Oderick Turner on a 21-yard touchdown pass, and Conor Lee nailed two fourth quarter field goals. The defense held EMU to just eight first downs and 145 yards of total offense, while the Panther attack held on to the ball for close to 22 minutes of the second half.
Player of the game ... Pitt QB Bill Stull went 14-of-20 for 177 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game injured.
Stat Leaders: Eastern Michigan Passing: Andy Schmitt, 16-27, 106 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Pierre Walker, 11-30  Receiving: Travis Lewis, 5-52
Pittsburgh - Passing: Bill Stull, 14-20, 177 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: LeSean McCoy, 10-68  Receiving: Marcel Pestano, 3-72
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Eagles have to quickly find an identity. The defense wasn't bad against Pitt, but the offense failed to find any sort of a groove and didn't come up with a single big play. Andy Schmitt didn't provide any spark under center, and Tyler Jones didn't do anything in his limited work. This is an attack in desperate need of playmakers, and they need to emerge in a big hurry or this will be an ugly start to the year. A win over Ball State next week is a must with four of the following five games on the road.