Although Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton and the Eagles have dropped the first two games of the Mid-American Conference schedule, the team still sits at 3-3 on the season and are very much alive in the race for the top spot in the MAC West ahead of their matchup against rival Western Michigan.
Line Latu is playing in his second season with the Eastern Michigan Eagles after coming from San Mateo Community College in California, where former lineman Jimmy Leatiota and former receiver Johnnie Niupalau also attended before transferring to EMU.
The Eastern Michigan women’s volleyball team has had an up-and-down season thus far through 18 matches. The Eagles won two straight games against Ohio and Toledo before falling to Ball State at the Convocation Center on Saturday, Oct. 12. The Cardinals won the match 3-2.
The Eastern Michigan women’s volleyball team defeated the Kent State Golden Flashes, 3-2 on the road in overtime. The Eagles scored two goals in the first half before scoring the game-winning goal three minutes into the overtime period. Sabrina McNeill scored the first and third goals for the Eagles in the win.
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Eastern Michigan women’s golf team won its second consecutive tournament with a score of 942 (316-314-312) after going into the third round of the MAC Fall Preview trailing by three strokes. The Eagles captured the victory at Silver Lake Country Club.
On a cold Saturday afternoon that started off with so much promise for the Eagles, they would go on to lose to Ball State in a game that went all the way down to the wire and fall to 0-2 in the MAC and 3-3 overall for the 2019 season.
The halfway point in the 2019 college football season just passed and the competition has never been tighter in the Mid-American Conference. The Toledo Rockets (4-1, 1-0) lead the MAC West while Ball State (2-3, 0-1) trails them for second place. Ohio (2-3, 1-0), Miami (2-3, 1-0) and Kent State (2-3, 1-0) are all tied at the top of the MAC East after winning their first conference game.
"I knew that ever since I was out of high school that I could play D-1 football. I just never had any looks, I was under recruited, nothing from D-2 or D-3," Hassan Beydoun said. "I did have a moment where I just gave up, like I was just coming to Eastern academically. Then I saw a tweet about trying out, and I was like 'why not? I know I'm capable of doing it.’”
Eastern Michigan women’s soccer player, Lindsey Shira, was named the United Soccer Coaches Player of the Week following wins over Northern Illinois and Western Michigan. Shira, who is in her junior season, scored the game-winning goals in both victories last week, including an 83rd minute score versus the Broncos. The Eagles have now won two consecutive games for the first time this season.
Eastern Michigan dropped their first conference game of the season at Central Michigan by a score of 42-16. In the loss, Mike Glass III threw for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Eagles leading rusher was Willie Parker, who finished the game with just 43 yards on eight carries. Central Michigan's leading rusher, Jonathan Ward, totaled 132 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Despite the loss, the Eagles remain positive.
Desmond Kelly is a senior defensive tackle for the Eastern Michigan football team, who stands at 6’1” and 311 pounds. He has been a player to watch for the Eagles during his senior year. On Sept. 21 2019, Kelly proposed to his girlfriend after an Eastern Michigan win over Central Connecticut 34-29. Kelly brought his girlfriend to the middle of the field, and with the team jumping and shouting around him, proposed to her. She said “yes.”
Terry Myrick, junior linebacker, has been a force for the Eagles defense in 2019. He has a total of 18 solo tackles and 31 total tackles, both third best on Eastern Michigan. He also had a forced fumble in the Week 2 game against Kentucky. Myrick is playing 2019 as a regular starter for the first time. He started his first career game last year against Monmouth.
Transfers in college sports has become more common over the past few years. Shortly after the end of last season, the Eastern Michigan men’s basketball program witnessed a slight downfall after several players graduated or transferred. In total, EMU basketball had to replace nine players before the start of the 2019-20 season,with five of the nine players transferring out.
Eastern Michigan fell to Central Michigan by a final score of 42-16 in their first conference game of the season, falling to a record of 3-2. Central Michigan ran away with the win behind a strong performance from star running back Jonathan Ward. The Eagles struggled to contain Ward all game long. He ended up with 132 yards rushing for two touchdowns as well as 73 yards receiving and another score.
With the bye week behind them, head coach Chris Creighton and the Eagles now set their sights on the Chippewas of Central Michigan. Eastern Michigan is looking to win its second straight game over the Chippewas after a 17-7 victory last season.
The Eastern Michigan women’s soccer team fell to the Ball State Cardinals at Briner Sports Complex in Muncie, Ind. on Sunday, Sept. 29. Ball State jumped out to a 2-1 lead at halftime before the Eagles tied the game in the second half. The Cardinals would go onto win 3-2 in overtime. Sarah Ash scored a goal for the Eagles, while Rebecca Przybylo had four saves.
Mickey Rewolinski announced his commitment to the Eastern Michigan football team on Sunday, Sept. 22. Rewolinski is a 3-star offensive lineman and defensive end for Union Grove High School in Wisconsin. He is 6’6”, 260 pounds and is going to be an offensive lineman for the Eagles. Rewolinski announced his commitment via Twitter.
The Eagles have had a player named Athlete of the Week for the first four weeks of the regular season in the MAC West. Senior quarterback Mike Glass III was named Offensive Player of the Week twice following the victories over Coastal Carolina and Illinois. Brody Hoying earned Defensive Player of the Week after the loss versus Kentucky, and Mathew Sexton won Special Teams Player of the Week following the most recent win over Central Connecticut State. Chad Ryland also won Special Teams Player of the Week after his game-winning kick against Illinois.
Jalen King, who is from Kings Academy in Pasco, Washington, is heading into his junior season with the Eastern Michigan basketball program. King is a 6-foot-10-inch power forward/center who weighs 205 pounds. With some fresh faces on the EMU men’s basketball team following the graduation of James Thompson IV, Paul Jackson and Elijah Minnie, King is poised to make an impact after a strong offseason.
