Football - The Eastern Echo

Final arguments begin in trial of Ed Thomas

By Drew Saunders · Monday, July 28, 2014

The final arguments for the trial of Ed Thomas in the murder of EMU wide receiver Demarius Reed started at 8:30, Monday. Thomas is accused of felony murder or assisting in murder, as well as armed robbery. Nimish Gantra, assistant prosecuting attorney for Washtenaw County began the closing arguments.

EMU football team lands highly touted transfer

By Al Willman · Friday, July 18, 2014

After reports surfaced earlier this week, the Eastern Michigan University athletic department officially announced the transfer of Rob Bolden from Louisiana State University late Friday afternoon. He will be eligible for the 2014 season.

First defendant pleads guilty in shooting of Demarius Reed

By Drew Saunders · Friday, July 18, 2014

The case of murdered Eastern Michigan University football player Demarius Reed took a new twist Friday morning when one of the accused men, Kristopher Pratt, 20 of Detroit, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

COLUMN: Putting The Factory in perspective

By Al Willman · Sunday, June 22, 2014

Thursday’s announcement by Heather Lyke, Eastern Michigan University Vice President and Director of Athletics and football coach Chris Creighton of the installation of grey turf at Rynearson Stadium (henceforth called “The Factory”) has already sparked a great deal of discussion on social media – most of it negative.

Prosecution, defense plan two pretrials in Reed case

By Drew Saunders · Monday, June 9, 2014

The pretrial hearing for Ed Jameal Thomas and Kristopher Pratt was held in court room 9 of the Washtenaw County courthouse June 2, with the Honorable Donald E. Shelton presiding.

The field was coated in a thin layer of snow before EMU's game against CMU on 29 November in Mt. Pleasant.

3 Eagles named to All-MAC preseason teams Monday

By Al Willman · Monday, June 2, 2014

Eastern Michigan University hired Chris Creighton to be its new football coach in December and the fruits of his labors are already beginning to show with Monday’s announcement of three players to Mid-American Conference preseason teams by MAC blogger Phil Steele.

Kalonji Kashama (95) signed with the Detroit Lions on Monday.

Former EMU defensive end signs contract with Detroit Lions

By Al Willman · Monday, June 2, 2014

Former Eastern Michigan University football standout Kalonji Kashama was signed Monday by the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, after participating in a rookie mini-camp earlier in the spring.

Eastern Michigan head coach Rob Murphy calls out the play in the Eagles 61-59 double overtime loss to Northern Illinois Thursday in Dekalb.

Managing Editor, host of Eastern Echo Sports Podcast, names 2013-14 Eagles of the Year

By Al Willman · Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The school year is quickly winding down and with it ends an eventful year for Eastern Michigan University’s athletic teams. As part of my weekly appearances on E-TV’s Eagles Sports Update, I share my “Eagle of the Week” – a player or coach who stands out to me for their performances in the week leading up to the show. For this, the final issue of the school year (not counting the summer semester), I have compiled a list of my Eagles of the Year for all of EMU’s sports, as well as for some specialized categories.

Creighton uses EMU football spring game as a teaching tool

By Drew Dood · Saturday, April 12, 2014

The Green team beat the White team on Saturday in Eastern Michigan University football’s Annual Spring Game 43-41 and first-year coach Chris Creighton would be the first to admit the game was not pretty.

Creighton inks four more recruits

By Eugene Evans · Friday, April 4, 2014

Eastern Michigan University football coach Chris Creighton announced the addition of four recruits to his first class on April 3.

Trial dates set for two men charged with murder of EMU football player

By Drew Saunders · Tuesday, March 25, 2014

The court was packed as 20-year-old Ed Jermeal Thomas and Kaivon Kristopher Pratt of Detroit were led through separate doors of courtroom 9 of the Washtenaw County Trial Court in Ann Arbor, Tuesday.

Creighton graduated from Kenyon College in 1991 with his bachelor’s degree and received his master’s degree in 1993 from Concordia University Chicago while at the same time taking on duties as offensive coordinator for their football team.

Details of Chris Creighton's five-year contract

By Eugene Evans · Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Eastern Michigan University football coach Chris Creighton’s will make a base annual salary of $400,000 according to his new contract which will last a maximum of five seasons.

Gators and Spartans highlight EMU 2014 football schedule

By Eugene Evans · Friday, Feb. 28, 2014

Eastern Michigan University announced on Feb. 28 its 2014 football schedule, which features non-conference road meetings against the University of Florida and Michigan State University.

EMU football to hold walk-on tryouts

By Eugene Evans · Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014

Eastern Michigan University Head Coach Chris Creighton has announced that walk-on football tryouts will take place Friday, March 7, beginning at 7 a.m.

All of the EMU hall of fame class were honored during halftime of the men's game.

7 inducted into E-Club Hall of Fame

By Al Willman · Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014

Saturday morning the Eastern Michigan University E-Club honored the newest members of the E-Club Hall of fame in the Student Center Ballroom.

Stubblefield takes Utah job as wide receivers coach

By Eugene Evans · Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014

Less than a week after joining Eastern Michigan University as the wide receivers coach, Taylor Stubblefield will be heading to the University of Utah.

Taylor Stubblefield (above) is one of three new assistant coaches hired by Chris Creighton on Feb. 6.

Creighton adds three more coaches to his staff

By Eugene Evans · Friday, Feb. 7, 2014

On Feb. 6, Eastern Michigan University head coach Chris Creighton announced the addition of three assistant coaches to his staff.

Tyler Benz no longer a member of the EMU Football team

By Eugene Evans · Friday, Feb. 7, 2014

Tyler Benz, who started 16 games over the last two seasons, is no longer on the Eastern Michigan University football team.

EMU football coach Chris Creighton speaks at Wednesday’s National Signing Day event in the atrium of the Convocation Center.

National Signing Day event held at Convocation Center

By Thomas Bieszk · Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014

National Signing Day is essentially a national holiday in the world of college football. First year Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton treated it as such.

17 recruits sign National Letters of Intent to play at EMU

By Al Willman · Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014

Wednesday, 17 recruits joined the Eastern Michigan University football team, including defensive end Lion King (Southfield, Mich. – Southfield High School). Yes – that’s his actual name.