• About
  • Rent College Pads
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
Search
News
Opinions
Sports
Classifieds
Comics
BMA
Subscribe

Donate

Eastern Echo

Thursday, December 5, 2019 Print Edition

Subscribe

  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Profiles
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Classifieds
  • Search
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Profiles
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Classifieds
Search

Subscribe to the Echo

Donate to The Echo

You can support the Echo by donating through the EMU Foundation and selecting to apply your gift to a specific fund. Any of the funds listed below will provide support to the Echo.

01049 -- EMU Echo Editor Endowed Scholarship:  Provides financial support for the current EMU Echo Editor.

02414 -- Scott Stephenson Eastern Echo Scholarship:  This expendable scholarship is for the benefit of student(s) in the School of Communication, Media & Theater Arts in the College of Arts & Sciences.  It will be awarded to a full or part-time junior or senior EMU student majoring in journalism and working for the Eastern Echo.  The student should be working to self-finance their education and not be eligible for need-based grants.

00825 -- Student Media Development:  Provides support for the Student Media program.

Thank you for supporting the Echo and EMU Student Media.

Give Now


9/23/2009, 9:50pm

Commentary: Andy Schmitt's injury doesn't spell end for Eastern Michigan

By Justin Souva

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

A true test lies ahead for coach Ron English and his Eastern Michigan football team. Following a bye week, it’s set to open Mid-American Conference play against Temple two Saturdays from now.

And, as the competition was to become more equal than in the previous two games, it was announced Tuesday the Eagles lost their starting quarterback Andy Schmitt to a season-ending right knee injury that will require surgery.

“It is always disappointing news when you lose a player to injury,” English said in a press release. “Andy Schmitt is and will continue to be a great leader and tremendous part of what we are doing offensively.”

Losing a fifth-year senior and four-year starter can never be easy for a team and its coaching staff, but it isn’t the end of the world, either. The newly implemented pro-style offense has taken a lot of pressure off the quarterbacks and placed more on the running game.

The possible options to replace Schmitt are Kyle McMahon and Alex Gillett, but English has yet to announce a starter.

McMahon, a junior, has playing experience from filling in for an injured Schmitt in previous seasons. Gillett is a true freshman who replaced Schmitt when he was injured in a loss to Michigan on Saturday.

But, again, this probably means more carries for tailbacks Dwayne Priest, a junior, and Terrence Blevins, a senior. That shouldn’t be much of a burden, though, if the running game is as effective as it’s been against two Big Ten opponents.

Eastern is second in the MAC in rushing yards per game (130). Dwayne Priest is first in the conference in carries (63) and second in yards (301). Blevins has 59 yards and a touchdown.

With a bulk of its nonconference games done and over, aside from a Halloween date at Arkansas, the Eagles will play teams of their caliber – games on which they and English should be measured.

Those conference games are ones they need to be at least competitive in, with or without Schmitt, who told The Eastern Echo he’s “really excited about where this offense and team can go once we get into the MAC.”

Conference openers and homecoming games usually provide a lift and sense of excitement to teams, especially to ones struggling like 0-3 Eastern. Then the quarterback is injured and spirits are downed. English cannot let that happen against Temple (0-2) or the team is toast.

“It hurts,” senior receiver Jacory Stone told The Eastern Echo. “You don’t want to see anyone get hurt, especially someone you came in with. It’s painful because you think about what if you were in his shoes.”

Schmitt, Stone and 12 other seniors are on the roster. Most of them, aside from some transfers, have been with the program since they were recruited by former coach Jeff Genyk.

They’ve endured a 1-11 season in 2006, and the most wins they’ve had in a season was four in 2007. It takes a lot of determination and love of the game to stick with it through turmoil like that.

It takes even more to stick with it even after a season-ending injury – to be leader for your teammates. Schmitt has shown he has character, and I’d bet he’s up for the challenge.

Share



Related Stories

EMU running back Willie Parker runs through Ball State defense at Rynearson Stadium on Oct. 12.

Eastern Michigan football finishes regular season 6-6 after home loss versus Kent State

By Charles Post

Opinion: Why Detroit’s major sports teams are stuck in a state of sub mediocrity

By Caleb Burlingame

EMU guard Natalia Pineda brings the ball past half court at the Convocation Center on Nov. 8.

EMU women’s basketball falls to Wolverines

By Charles Post


The Eastern Echo welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.


Most Popular


12/4/2019, 1:54pm

The Michigan Murders: Series Trailer

By Ronia-Isabel Cabansag

12/3/2019, 11:30pm

Ann Arbor City Council finally moves on affordable housing


12/1/2019, 8:46am

Opinion: Why Detroit’s major sports teams are stuck in a state of sub mediocrity


12/2/2019, 4:05pm

Eastern Michigan football finishes regular season 6-6 after home loss versus Kent State


Podcast


Last Updated 2 hours ago

The Michigan Murders Part 1: Seven Young Women


12/4/2019, 1:54pm

The Michigan Murders: Series Trailer


12/2/2019, 3:29pm

Podcast: December 1, 2019


11/26/2019, 11:13am

Podcast: November 25, 2019


Tweets by TheEasternEcho
Eastern Michigan Echo To Homepage
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Freelance
  • Submissions
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Distribution

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2019 The Eastern Echo

Powered by Solutions by The State News.