Sports - The Eastern Echo

Creighton's impact on the EMU football program

By Charles Post · Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019

Chris Creighton was hired by Eastern Michigan before the 2014 season and after Ron English being fired the year prior. English was the Eagles head coach for four years before being fired nine games into his fifth campaign. English led them to just one six-win season, with a record of 11-46. Creighton has doubled that and is on the verge of adding another one this year.

Week 9 Preview: Eastern Michigan takes on Toledo

By Joey Pisaneschi · Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019

After two consecutive home games, head coach Chris Creighton and the Eastern Michigan Eagles hit the road Oct. 26 to play the Rockets from the University of Toledo. Toledo is coming off two straight losses, including a 52-14 loss at the hands of Ball State University.

Men's basketball 2019-20 season preview

By Luke Gremban · Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019

The Eastern Michigan men’s basketball program is looking to improve on last year’s 9-9 record in the MAC. The Eagles are in a potential rebuilding season, losing four seniors who were major contributors during the 2018-2019 season. However, this schedule is not as difficult as last years.

Preston Hutchinson shines in Eastern Michigan's 34-27 win over Western Michigan

By Joey Pisaneschi · Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019

Preston Hutchinson's heroic performance in his first career start gave the Eagles their first win over Western Michigan in six seasons on Saturday, Oct. 19 by a score of 34-27. Hutchinson stepped in for an injured Mike Glass III and threw for 357 yards while completing 84% of his passes and accounting for four touchdowns.

EMU gymnastics ranked 24th in academics after 2018-19 season

By Tiauna Allen · Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019

The Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association announced the top academic teams from the 2018-19 year and the Eastern Michigan’s gymnastic team landed the 24th spot in the country with a team GPA of 3.5. Four other MAC schools joined EMU on the list in the top 25.

Kobie Beltram steps up in senior season

By Jadan Shorts · Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019

Eastern Michigan football continues to support one another as their season comes to the halfway point. A big part of the Eagles’ team has been the defense and Kobie Beltram has stepped up during his senior season. Beltram has had a diligent season so far.

Breck Turner prepares for rival Western Michigan

By Charles Post · Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019

Breck Turner committed to the Eagles prior to the 2016 season, and now he’s a senior running back looking to end his career with a successful season. Before the season began, Turner was named to the Doak Walker award watch list for the top running back in the country, which included 71 players.

Week 8 Preview: Eastern Michigan looks to bounce back against Western Michigan

By Joey Pisaneschi · Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019

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 and the receiving core for the Eagles

By Zach Sturgill · Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019

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.

EMU volleyball falls to Ball State after two straight victories

By Jadan Shorts · Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019

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.

Eagles women's soccer defeats Kent State in overtime

By Charles Post · Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019

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.

EMU women's golf wins back-to-back tournaments

By Tiauna Allen · Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019

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.

Eagles drop a heart breaker 29-23 against Ball State

By Joey Pisaneschi · Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019

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.

Around the MAC: Toledo leads the MAC West following win over Western Michigan

By Joey Pisaneschi · Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019

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.

Hassan Beydoun: The walk-on making plays for Eastern Michigan

By Zach Sturgill · Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019

"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.’”

Lindsey Shira named United States Coaches Player of the Week after two straight wins

By Tiauna Allen and Charles Post · Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019

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.

Week 7 Preview: Homecoming versus the Cardinals

By Joey Pisaneschi · Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019

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’s senior season has been special on and off the field

By Luke Gremban and Charles Post · Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019

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.”

Myrick and EMU defense prepare for the road ahead

By Zach Sturgill · Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019

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.

Taking a look at how the rise of transfers has impacted Eastern Michigan basketball

By Tiauna Allen and Charles Post · Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019

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.