EMU gets gouged again in loss to Rockets

Eastern Michigan Eagles 2009 ... Head Coach: Ron English

2009 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 3-9
2009 Season: 0-11

9/5 Army L 27-14
9/12 at Nwestern L 27-24
9/19 at Michigan L 45-17
9/26 OPEN DATE
10/3 Temple L 24-12
10/10 at Central Mich L 56-8
10/17 Kent St L 28-6
10/24 Ball State L 29-27
10/31 at Arkansas L 63-27
11/5 at N Illinois L 50-6
11/14 WMU L 35-14
11/20 at Toledo L 47-21
11/27 at Akron

2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 4-8
2008 Season: 3-9

8/28 Indiana State W 52-0
9/6 at Michigan State L 42-10
9/13 Toledo L 41-17
9/20 at Maryland L 51-24
9/27 Northern Illinois L 37-0
10/4 at Bowling Green W 24-21
10/11 at Army L 17-13
10/18 Akron L 42-35
10/25 at Ball State L 38-16
11/1 at Western Mich L 31-10
11/8 OPEN DATE
11/15 OPEN DATE
11/22 at Temple L 55-52
11/28 Central Mich W 56-52

Eastern Michigan Eagles

Nov. 14
Western Michigan 35 … at Eastern Michigan 14
Eastern Michigan scored first on a four-yard Alex Gillett run, and then it was all Western Michigan with 28 straight points with Brandon West scoring from one-yard out and Tim Hiller throwing three short touchdown passes with two to Matt Stevens. Robert Arnheim put the game away with a 65-yard touchdown catch. West became the NCAA’s all-time total yardage leader, passing former Memphis RB DeAngelo Williams.
Player of the Game: Western Michigan RB Brandon West became the NCAA’s all-time total yardage leader. He ran 25 times for 140 yards and a score and returned two kickoffs for 43 yards.
Eastern Michigan: Passing: Alex Gillett, 15-26, 186 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Alex Gillett, 26-105, 1 TD, Receiving: Kinsman Thomas, 5-47, 1 TD
Western Michigan: Passing: Tim Hiller, 21-31, 275 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Brandon West, 25-140, 1 TD, Receiving: Jordan White, 10-140
What It All Means: Even though the Eagles had yet another awful game, there was a sign of life for the future with Alex Gillett running well, taking off for 105 yards, but he threw three picks as part of the six turnovers that put Western Michigan in a position to stay ahead easily. With two games left, both on the road at Toledo and Akron, an 0-12 season is more than likely, and with the way the team is playing defensively and inefficiently offensively, it’ll be lucky to make the games close. 

Oct. 35
at Northern Illinois 50 … Eastern Michigan 6
NIU ran for 418 yards with both Chad Spann and DeMarcus Grady rumbling for over 100 yards in the easy win. Tommy Davis took the opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown, but EMU was able to stay alive in the first quarter with two Joe Carithers field goals. It was all Huskies the rest of the way with 37 unanswered points highlighted by Spann scoring runs from 65 and 79 yards out. Mike Salerno hit three field goals and Landon Cox scored on touchdown passes from 30 and 31 yards out.
Player of the Game: Northern Illinois RB Chad Spann ran 11 times for 174 yards and two scores.
Eastern Michigan: Passing: Alex Gillett, 2-12, 49 yds
Rushing: Dwayne Priest, 17-75, Receiving: Kinsman Thomas 1-48
Northern Illinois: Passing: DeMarcus Grady, 4-5, 119 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Chad Spann, 11-174, 2 TD, Receiving: Landon Cox, 3-84, 2 TD
What It All Means: What a disaster. Instead of improving as the season goes on, EMU is getting worse with the quarterbacks, Alex Gillett and Kyle McMahon, combining to complete just 5-of-22 passes and the running game gaining a mere 100 yards. The defense wasn’t even close and had a hard time getting off the field allowing too many third down conversions. The nation’s worst run defense will have an easier time next week against Western Michigan, but it’ll get ripped up by DaJuane Collins and Toledo. The only plus was Marty Cardwell, who made 17 tackles. 

Oct. 31
at Arkansas 63 … Eastern Michigan 27
Arkansas got up to a 42-0 halftime lead highlighted by a 99-yard Broderick Green touchdown run and a 78-yard Joe Adams scoring catch. The defense got into the act early with a 50-yard Freddy Burton interception return for a score, and the special teams came up with a score on a blocked punt for a touchdown for a 49-0 lead. Eastern Michigan got three touchdown passes from Kyle McMahon in the third quarter including a 77-yarder to Kinsman Thomas.
Player of the Game: Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett completed 14-of-16 passes for 248 yards and three scores, and he ran five times for 42 yards.
Eastern Michigan: Passing: Kyle McMahon, 10-19, 231 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Dwayne Priest, 21-66, 1 TD, Receiving: John Bonner, 2-66, 1 TD
Arkansas: Passing: Ryan Mallett, 14-16, 248 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Broderick Green, 9-134, 2 TD, Receiving: Cobi Hamilton, 4-73 
What It All Means: At least the offense moved the ball a bit. Yeah, EMU was down 49-0 to Arkansas before Kyle McMahon, but the attack finally produced with a flurry in the third quarter. EMU is 118th in the nation in offense and 112th in passing efficiency, and the problems should keep getting worse with three road games in the next four with the home game against Western Michigan. Considering the run defense is dead last in America, the offense had better find some consistency in a hurry.

Oct. 24
Ball State 29 … at Eastern Michigan 27
Ball State netted 463 rushing yards with MiQuale Lewis running for 301 yards and Cory Sykes running for 203, with three touchdowns, but it took a comeback to win. Eastern Michigan, helped by three Cardinal turnovers, got up 27-13 on a ten-yard DeAnthony White touchdown run early in the third, but that would be the team’s final score as Ball State scored 16 unanswered points helped by Sykes runs from six and 37 yards. Sykes scored on a 51-yard run in the first quarter and Lewis tore off a 48-yard scoring dash in the third.
Player of the Game: Ball State RB MiQuale Lewis ran 26 times for 301 yards and a score and Cory Sykes ran 23 times for 203 yards and three scores.
Eastern Michigan: Passing: Alex Gillett, 3-7, 52 yds
Rushing: Dwayne Priest, 18-84, Receiving: Nick Olds, 2-20
Ball State: Passing: Tanner Justice, 2-10, 1 yd, 1 INT
Rushing: MiQuale Lewis, 26-301, 1 TD, Receiving: Toriel Gibson, 1-8 
What It All Means: And welcome to rock bottom. The Eagles have had problems all season long, but the nation’s worst run defense was ripped apart by Ball State and failed to come up with any key stops outside of the three takeaways. The team didn’t take advantage of all the breaks and the passing game went from bad to worse. The Arkansas game will be a nightmare unless the offense can find something that works over the next few days. With four road games in the final five, it’s not like things are going to get appreciably better.

Oct. 17
Kent State 28 … at Eastern Michigan 6
Spencer Keith threw two first quarter touchdown passes, highlighted by a 48-yarder to Tyshon Goode, and he ran for a one-yard score in the easy win. Eastern Michigan only came up with 258 yards of total offense, with 75 yards passing, and got two Joe Carithers field goals. KSU put the game well out of reach in the fourth on a 31-yard Kendrick Pressley touchdown grab.
Player of the Game: Kent State LB Cobrani Mixon made 11 tackles and two tackles for loss.
Eastern Michigan: Passing: Alex Gillett, 5-8, 45 yds
Rushing: Alex Gillett, 10-75, Receiving: Ben Thayer, 4-20
Kent State: Passing: Spencer Keith, 10-24, 164 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Jacquise Terry, 18-79, Receiving: Tyshon Goode, 3-75, 1 TD
What It All Means: Yuck. The Eagles have been struggling all season long, but to manage just six points at home against Kent State in an ugly loss shows just how far the team has to go to be even passable. The passing game was an embarrassment, with Alex Gillett and Kyle McMahon combining to complete 10-of-18 passes for 75 yards. Gillett ran well, but it didn’t matter with seven penalties and to turnovers proving to be too costly. The defensive line has to get to the quarterback to beat Ball State, and the offense, after scoring 26 points in the last three weeks, has to find something that works. 

Oct. 10
at Central Michigan 56 … Eastern Michigan 8
Dan LeFevour threw three touchdown passes and ran for three short scores in the ugly blowout. The Chippewas scored the first 49 points of the game, highlighted by a 70-yard Antonio Brown touchdown catch and a 75-yard punt return for a score. EMU finally got on the board in the fourth quarter with a one-yard Corey Welch touchdown run. CMU outgained EMU 521 yards to 255.
Player of the Game: Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour completed 16-of-22 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran 11 times for 44 yards and three scores.
Eastern Michigan: Passing: Kyle McMahon, 8-14, 76 yds
Rushing: Corey Welch, 12-81, 1 TD, Receiving: Kinsman Thomas, 3-20
Central Michigan: Passing: Dan LeFevour, 16-22, 318 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Bryan Schroeder, 10-57, Receiving: Kito Poblah, 5-126, 1 TD 
What It All Means: The team missed Andy Schmitt. He wouldn’t have been the difference against Central Michigan, but the offense simply isn’t moving and there wasn’t any hope of keeping up with the CMU offense. Kyle McMahon wasn’t awful, and freshman Alex Gillett ran well, but there’s nothing happening down the field. With no wins so far this year, the two best chances come next with Kent State and Ball State at home.

Oct. 3
Temple 24 … at Eastern Michigan 12
Bernard Pierce ran for 180 yards and two touchdowns, with the two scores coming in the first quarter on the way to a 21-0 lead as Temple won a surprising breather. Eastern Michigan, who was without starting QB Andy Schmitt, sputtered offensively with just 280 yards of total offense and two second quarter field goals before finally getting into the end zone in the final moments on a one-yard Terrence Blevins run.
Player of the Game: Temple RB Bernard Pierce ran 25 times for 180 yards and two scores
Eastern Michigan: Passing: Kyle McMahon, 25-36, 230 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Dwayne Priest, 12-14, Receiving: Jacory Stone, 8-85
Temple: Passing: Vaughn Charlton, 9-18, 123 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Bernard Pierce, 25-180, 2 TD, Receiving: Jason Harper, 3-83
What It All Means: The Owls have found something in Bernard Pierce. He has changed the face of the offense and has taken all the pressure off of Vaughn Charlton and the woeful passing game by running for 116 yards against Buffalo and 180 yards against EMU. The Owls came up with a whale of a defensive performance on the road, and while it was only against Eastern Michigan, it was a huge victory with home games against Ball State and Army up next. There’s a chance to go on a nice run and completely turn around the season after a rough start. 

Sept. 19
at Michigan 45 … Eastern Michigan 17
Carlos Brown took over the Michigan offense with a nine yard touchdown run in the first quarter and a 90yard dash in the second to overcome a bad day from the passing game. Denard Robinson struggled throwing the ball, but he scored on runs of 13 and 36 yards in the second half, and WR Martavious Odoms ran for a 13 yard score to help the Wolverines pull away in the third. EMU didn’t score in the second half, but stayed alive in the first on a five-yard Dwayne Priest run and an 11-yard dash from QB Andy Schmitt.
Player of the Game: Michigan RB Carlos Brown ran 13 times for 187 yards and two scores.
Eastern Michigan: Passing: Andy Schmitt, 13-22, 97 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Dwayne Priest, 27-91, 1 TD, Receiving: Marvon Sanders, 4-32
Michigan: Passing: Tate Forcier, 7-13, 68 yds
Rushing: Carlos Brown, 13-187, 2 TD, Receiving: Martavious Odoms, 2-33
What It All Means: The Eagles battled well with Michigan, but the offense died in the second half and disaster struck when QB Andy Schmitt went out with a knee injury. He was having a rough start to the year, and if he’s out, it’ll be up to freshman Alex Gillett to take over and it’ll be more about the running game with the pass an afterthought. Dwayne Priest will be counted on even more, but if Schmitt can’t go, Gillett will have to prove right away that he can make something happen through the air. It would help if the receivers started to do more to add more pop to the attack.

Sept. 12
at Northwestern 27 ... Eastern Michigan 24
Northwestern was cruising along with a 21-0 lead on two Stephen Simmons touchdown runs and a Ben Johnson 70-yard interception return for a score, but Eastern Michigan cam roaring back with a 24-3 run helped by two Andy Schmitt touchdown passes and a three-yard Terrence Blevins three-yard score to tie it with 2:40 to play. But Northwestern was able to go 26 yards in nine plays leading to a 49-yard Stefan Demos field goal with six seconds left to get the win.
Player of the Game: Northwestern SS Brendan Smith made 12 tackles.
Eastern Michigan: Passing: Andy Schmitt, 20-28, 148 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Dwayne Priest, 17-127, 1 TD, Receiving: Jacory Stone, 7-61, 1 TD
Northwestern: Passing: Mike Kafka, 14-24, 158 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Stephen Simmons, 13-73, 2 TD, Receiving: Demetrius Fields, 4-25
What It All Means: It took a while for the Eagles to warm up, but after spotting Northwestern 21 points, Andy Schmitt got hot and the defense did a great job of stuffing everything the Wildcats wanted to do. Call this a nice step forward after getting torn up by Army last week. The run defense was far better and Schmitt had a far better game. However, the offense will have to quickly get more explosive  to be able to hang with Michigan next week. Schmitt has to start coming up with bigger plays after dinking and dunking all day vs. the Wildcats.

Sept. 5
Army 27 ... at Eastern Michigan 14
Army forced three key turnovers and sacked EMU QB Andy Schmitt six times, while the offense got touchdown runs from ten and five yards out from Kinsley Ehie to pull away in the fourth quarter. The Knights took a 13-0 lead into halftime highlighted by a 12-yard Jameson Carter run, but Eastern Michigan came back with a 20-yard Trey Hunter touchdown pass to pull within six. The Eagles got on the board late on a one-yard Dwayne Priest run, but it was too little, too late.
Player of the Game: Army DE Josh McNary made nine tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Eastern Michigan: Passing: Andy Schmitt, 18-31, 183 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Dwayne Priest, 19-83, 1 TD, Receiving: Jacory Stone, 8-97
Army: Passing: Trent Steelman, 2-5, 8
Rushing: Patrick Mealy, 5-109, 1 TD, Receiving: Damion Hunter, 2-8
What It All Means: The Ron English era couldn't have gotten off to more of a clunk. Andy Schmitt never had time to throw, the running game was fine, but not consistent, and the defense didn't have a prayer against the Army ground game. To be fair, there was almost no way to properly prepare for it, but the D didn't make the adjustments needed in the fourth quarter. This was a home win the team had to have, and now it's going to be an uphill climb to get more than a few wins without some major upsets.