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

Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Print Archive

Eastern Echo
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Events
  • Classifieds
  • Search
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Events
  • 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


4/9/2016, 11:18pm

Underclassmen shine in Spring Game

By Robert Hull
Underclassmen shine in Spring Game

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

The first couple of seasons for Chris Creighton haven’t exactly been years you would see put into the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame, but they were crucial years in the building process of what Creighton envisions for the future of the football program.

The 2016 team was able to showcase their skills Saturday afternoon in Eastern Michigan’s Green (defense) vs. White (offense) spring football game. With an adjusted scoring system, the defense defeated the offense, 28-20, where many of the younger players apart of Creighton’s recruiting classes saw action in hopes to make an impact on the field in the fall.

EMU lost a big part of last years offense with running back Darius Jackson graduating. The good news is the Eagles return Jackson’s partner in crime, Shaq Vann but Vann might not be the only one to stand out in the backfield for EMU this season.

“The challenge to all of us has been, how can we have a 1-2, or 1-2-3 punch [at running back] so that we’re not taking a step back from this last year,” Creighton said. “We want our program moving forward in every way.”

Although its clear Vann will take the starting job, the reliever in the backfield is still up for grabs. Breck Turner, a redshirt freshman, stood out at the running back position today having more carries than any other running back, multiple carries for over 5-yards, multiple broken tackles, and was finding holes in the offensive line. Ian Eriksen is another running back in contention for a spot on the field, but didn’t see the action due to an injury, but will be ready for the season.

“Shaq is very comfortable in that lead role,” Creighton said. “And we absolutely believe in Ian Eriksen and Breck Turner. There’s not a clear cut number two.”

The wide receiver position is very young compared to past seasons. Only four of the ten players returning have game experience, none of them with more than one year. Injuries have sidelined some of the receivers, but redshirt-freshmen receivers Dieuly Aristilde and Kezio Snelling shined amongst the strongest on the field with the first and second team offenses.

If there’s one thing that needed to be fixed from a year ago, it was stopping the run. EMU ranked last in all of college football in the stopping teams on the ground, but new defensive coordinator Neal Neathery implemented a new 4-2-5 defense in hopes to solve the defensive woes.

“I just want to make sure guys are learning what they’re supposed to do,” Creighton said. “To be able to play fast, and tackle, and be able to get to the football.”

On the defensive line, Pat O’Connor returned to the field after being sidelined in the 2015 season with a shoulder injury, Jeremiah Harris is back to being healthy after a hand injury, and Luke McLean amongst other veterans return up front for EMU. The new name that caught the eyes of many is redshirt-freshman Maxx Crosby.

“[Crosby] was the defensive scout team player of the year last year,” Creighton stated. “He’s really taken some big steps forward this spring.”

The biggest question mark on the defensive side of the ball will be who will start at linebacker. With only two linebacker spots on the field as apposed to four from a year ago it has made it very competitive position.

In 2015, Anthony Zappone’s season ended with an ACL tear, but was back on the field alongside Kyle Rachwal, a redshirt-sophomore that saw more of the field toward the end of last season. Jaylen Pickett moved to linebacker from being a safety, and EMU returns Ike Spearman, Derric Williams, Nathan Adams, among many others trying to work their way into a starting role, which Creighton says could be determined during the season.

Eastern Michigan opens up the season at home with Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 3.

Follow @RobertHull124 on Twitter for me news on EMU Football.  

Share



Related Stories

EMU professor Tom Suchan and friend Greg Kulon host show of old King Kong artifacts at the EMU gallery. 

EMU professor showcases King Kong collection in Student Center gallery for the films 90th anniversary

By Marie White

Stomp n Shake cheer team returns to campus after two year hiatus

By Mackenzie Thompson

EMU swim and dive team hosts Senior Day at Skyline HS in Ann Arbor.

EMU swim and dive host annual Senior Day Extravaganza ahead of MAC Championships

By Blake McQueary


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


2/2/2023, 12:36pm

Michigan's official groundhog predicts early spring in Groundhog Day celebration

By Marie White

Howell Nature Center hosts an annual Groundhog Day event to celebrate the holiday.


2/1/2023, 7:42pm

Makhail Wood: A Record-Breaking Talent


2/5/2023, 4:52pm

EMU football 2023 recruiting class rated first in the MAC by 247Sports


2/4/2023, 12:23pm

EMU men’s basketball defeats Ohio in back-to-back victory, 90-79


Podcast


11/10/2022, 11:35am

TheBlockE Podcast


11/8/2022, 11:35am

Student Interview: Pritish Kokate - The Eastern Echo Podcast Ep. 5


11/3/2022, 5:58pm

Special episode: EMU Journalism Professor Dr. You Li speaks with EMU alumni Nathan Bomey


10/27/2022, 6:03pm

Interview w/ Ronia Cabansag - The Eastern Echo Podcast Ep. 3


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

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2023 The Eastern Echo

Powered by Solutions by The State News.