Football - The Eastern Echo

Gardner adapts to change to offensive line

By Andrew Mascharka · Friday, Sept. 4, 2015

We, as humans, often consider change a bad thing. The people who embrace change, are the ones who realize that it helps us grow as humans.

Echo writers predict Eagles upcoming season

By Thomas Bieszk & Robert Hull · Friday, Sept. 4, 2015

The Eastern Michigan football team opens their season today against Old Dominion so the Echo Sports football beat writers, Robert Hull and Thomas Bieszk, made their predictions for the season ahead.

Ibe and Zappone look to lead defense

By Thomas Bieszk · Friday, Sept. 4, 2015

Eastern Michigan football has seen plenty of recent struggles as a program, particularly on defense. Last season, saw a third consecutive 2-10 finish in which the defense averaged 41 points per game allowed. Despite that, there were bright-spots on the defense, primarily coming from the linebacking corps.

Beck looks to bring more physicality in sophomore year

By Thomas Bieszk · Friday, Sept. 4, 2015

The transition between year one and year two can be difficult for many football players. Some can turn out better since having a full year of experience, while others hit the proverbial “sophomore slump” and struggle in their second year.

Previewing Old Dominion: Freshman QB to See Gametime

By Robert Hull · Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015

Last Season: 6-6 Overall, 4-4 C-USA Head Coach: Bobby Wilder, 7th Season at ODU (3rd year in FBS, 14-10) Projected Returning Starters: Offense 7*, Defense 5* Key Returning Players: OL Tyler Fisher, OL Conner Mewbourne, WR David Washington, RB Ray Lawry, DL Poncho Barnwell, DL Rashaad Coward Last Season: Last season was the first time in history EMU and ODU met on the gridiron.

Freshman wide receiver looks to make impact

By Andrew Mascharka · Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015

He may be one of the smallest players on the field but Eastern Michigan freshman wide receiver Eddie Daugherty is hoping to make a big impact this season.

Tuttle finds "family atmosphere" with Eagles

By Andrew Mascharka · Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015

Eastern Michigan tight end Cody Tuttle has spent the past three years trying to find the right fit for himself. He wanted to find a family atmosphere and that is exactly what he saw in coach Chris Creighton and his staff.

O'Connor to miss entire 2015 season

By Andrew Mascharka · Friday, Aug. 28, 2015

Eastern Michigan defensive lineman and team captain Pat O’Connor will miss the entire 2015 season as announced on “Shep in the Morning” this morning.

From EMU to the NFL, Bronson Hill finds success with the Bills

By Andrew Mascharka · Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015

Former Eastern Michigan football running back Bronson Hill is attempting to do something that only three other active NFL players can say; they played college football at Eastern Michigan University.

Creighton Sees More Depth; Seeks Quick Learners

By Robert Hull · Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015

One week into fall camp and Eastern Michigan football coach Chris Creighton and the Eagles have hit the ground running and it's all about learning something new and getting better everyday.

New Football Series Scheduled; Kentucky, SDSU Coming to The Factory

By Robert Hull · Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015

Eastern Michigan football has scheduled new deals with Kentucky and San Diego State set to begin in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The deals will have both teams coming to The Factory in 2019.

Hill signs with Buffalo Bills

By Thomas Bieszk · Friday, Aug. 7, 2015

Former EMU running back Bronson Hill has found his way into the NFL, signing with the Buffalo Bills as the NFL preseason begins.

Creighton Reflects Back on His First Year

By Robert Hull · Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015

The first year of the Chris Creighton era is in the books and a new chapter is set to begin as fall camp approaches. Looking back on the last year, a lot of learning, and quite a bit of turbulence went into the first year of Creighton’s coaching tenure, but it’s been an all around joy for Coach Creighton.

Column: Five Reasons Why Eastern Michigan Football Will Be Better

By Thomas Bieszk · Friday, July 31, 2015

Every year, every team around college football begins with a strong sense of confidence that “this is the year.” The good teams believe that they will remain good while the teams who struggled the year before believe that they will be better and surprise many critics.

EMU Ranks Last in MAC Preseason Poll

By Robert Hull · Friday, July 31, 2015

It’s a spot Eastern Michigan’s football team knows all too much about as for the third straight year EMU ranks last among six teams in the Mid-American Conference West Division.

Four Eagles Named to Preseason Award Watch Lists

By Robert Hull · Monday, July 20, 2015

Year after year college football experts, reporters, and committees compile a list of the best college football players across the country at their respective positions.

2015 MAC Football Preview Guide

By Thomas Bieszk · Sunday, June 28, 2015

Eastern Michigan Eagles Head Coach: Chris Creighton 2nd Season Record at EMU: 2-10 Record Last Season: 2-10, 1-7 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 14-46 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Reggie Bell- 1,297 yards passing, 9 TDs Defense: DL Pat O’Connor- 64 tackles, 7.5 sacks Western Michigan Broncos Head Coach: PJ Fleck 3rd Season Record at WMU: 9-16 Record Last Season: 8-5, 6-2 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 26-36 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: RB Jarvion Franklin- 1,551 yards, 24 TDs Defense: LB Grant DePalma- 102 tackles, 8 TFL Central Michigan Chippewas Head Coach: John Bonamego 1st Season Record at CMU: 0-0 Record Last Season: 7-6, 5-3 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 26-36 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Cooper Rush- 2,664 yards, 20 TDs Defense: DB Tony Annese- 74 tackles, 3 INT Ball State Cardinals Head Coach: Pete Lembo 5th Season Record at BSU: 30-20 Record Last Season: 5-7, 4-4 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 34-28 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Jack Milos- 1,302 yards, 9 TDs Defense: LB Ben Ingle- 87 tackles Northern Illinois Huskies Head Coach: Rod Carey 3rd Season Record at NIU: 23-6 Record Last Season: 11-3, 7-1 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 57-13 (2011, 2012, 2014 MAC Champions) Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Drew Hare- 2,322 yards, 18 TDs Defense: DE Perez Ford- 54 tackles, 9 TFL, 5 sacks Toledo Rockets Head Coach: Matt Campbell 4th Season Record at UT: 26-13 Record Last Season: 9-4, 7-1 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 42-22 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: RB Kareem Hunt- 1,631 yards, 16 TDs Defense: DE/LB Trent Voss- 77 tackles, 15 TFL Bowling Green Falcons Head Coach: Dino Babers 2nd Season Record at BGSU: 8-6 Record Last Season: 8-6, 5-3 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 33-32 (2013 MAC Champions) Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: RB Travis Greene- 949 yards, 12 TDs Defense: DB Nick Johnson- 72 tackles, 5 INTs Ohio Bobcats Head Coach: Frank Solich 10th Season Record at Ohio: 72-56 Record Last Season: 6-6, 4-4 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 40-25 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: RB AJ Ouellette- 785 yards, 7 TDs Defense: LB Jovon Johnson- 67 tackles, 10 TFL Buffalo Bulls Head Coach: Alex Wood 1st Full Season Record at UB: 2-2 Record Last Season: 5-6, 3-4 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 22-38 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Joe Licata-2,647 yards, 29 TDs Defense: LB Jarrett Franklin- 48 tackles Akron Zips Head Coach: Terry Bowden 4th Season Record at Akron: 11-25 Record Last Season: 5-7, 3-5 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 13-47 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Kyle Pohl- 2,189 yards, 9 TDs Defense: LB Jatavis Brown- 99 tackles, 14 TFL Miami Redhawks Head Coach: Chuck Martin 2nd Season Record at Miami: 2-10 Record Last Season: 2-10, 2-6, 5-3 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 20-42 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Andrew Hendrix-3,280 yards, 23 TDs Defense: DB Heath Harding- 97 Tackles, 2 INTs Kent State Golden Flashes Head Coach: Paul Haynes 3rd Season Record at KSU: 6-17 Record Last Season: 2-9, 1-6 MAC Record Last Five Seasons: 27-34 Top Returning Starters With 2014 Statistics: Offense: QB Colin Reardon- 2,466 yards, 14 TDs Defense: DB Nate Holley- 137 tackles

Eagles invited to NFL Rookie Camps

By Thomas Bieszk · Thursday, May 7, 2015

Five former Eastern Michigan football players have found themselves on NFL teams as undrafted rookie mini-camp invitees.

Eastern Michigan tight end Tyreese Russell catches the ball against Morgan State.

Two Eagles sign with Lions

By Thomas Bieszk · Sunday, May 3, 2015

Two former Eastern Michigan football players have found themselves in the NFL. Former EMU TE Tyreese Russell and QB Rob Bolden have both signed with the Detroit Lions as undrafted free agents. Russell spent all four years of eligibility with the Eagles, while Bolden only played with EMU during the 2014 season after stops at Penn State and LSU. Russell, a 6’3” tight end out of Chicago, recorded 39 catches for 523 yards with three touchdowns during his senior season and started every game at tight end for the Eagles the past two seasons.

Eagles hold Spring Game

By Thomas Bieszk · Sunday, April 5, 2015

It is an annual tradition around college football for a team to showcase early progress from offseason workouts in a spring scrimmage, and Eastern Michigan is no different, holding its yearly spring game Saturday afternoon in Ypsilanti.