 YPSILANTI, MI - While there has been considerable note over Eastern Michigan coach Ron English’s skydiving experience with the U.S. Army’s Golden Knight’s this summer, it might be argued that English took a riskier jump when he accepted the Eagle’s head coach offer almost three years ago. Considering the situation into which English walked, the challenges were daunting. Yet, after a winless campaign in 2009, EMU managed two wins and was a much more competitive squad - at times - last year.
2010 RECORD: 2-10, (2-5 MAC, TIED FOR 5TH IN WEST)
2011 MAC MEDIA PREDICTION: 6TH IN WEST DIVISION
OFFENSE
While some rebuilding programs find their early successes on the defensive side, Eastern Michigan owes much of its improvement to the offense. Leading the way has been gritty quarterback Alex Gillett. The 6-1, 210 junior was fifth (MAC games only) in total offense, producing 223.1 yards per game last year.
On a given day, Gillett is capable of producing with his throwing arm or legs. In the Eagles 41-38 overtime win over Ball State last October, for example, he ran for 169 yards on 25 carries. In addition, Gillett passed for 225 yards and three touchdowns while completing 10-of-18 aerials. That was good for a 116.9 QB rating. However, Gillett also registered a quarterback rating as low as 54.7 percent (versus Northern Illinois). Getting a consistently good rating will take improvement in several individual and team areas.
Ranked ninth (MAC games only) in passing, Eastern Michigan finished fourth in rushing with 1,360 yards on the ground and an average of 170 ypg. Gillett provided 546 of those yards. Another 512 came from now departed running back Dwayne Priest, who averaged 85.3 ypg. in conference play. That was good for second, only three-tenths behind second place Thomas Merriweather of Miami.
Unless the passing game takes a big leap forward, EMU needs to keep the running game going. For both Garrett’s sake and the Eagles, another running option is imperative.
Dominique Scherrer, a 5-9, 202-pound senior, is listed atop the Eagles depth chart at running back. However, he again battled injuries last season, managing a total of 43 yards on 20 attempts from scrimmage.
Sophomore Javonti Green (5-10, 188), meanwhile, netted 277 yards on 50 carries while appearing in nine games. Green had three starts and turned in a 155-yard rushing performance against Virginia. Carrying the pigskin just eight times against the Cavaliers, Green became the first EMU player in school history to record two 50-yard plus runs (55,53) for scores in a single game.
Senior Bridger Buche is a key returning veteran along the line, along with Center Andrew Sorgatz (6-5, 280, Jr) and Korey Neel (6-2, 296, Jr). The latter started all 12 games last year and got the nod for some preseason all-conference honors. Campbell Allison (6-6, 315, R-Fr) and Lincoln Hansen will get their first game opportunities in an Eagles uniform after redshirting last year.
Tight end Ben Thayer was a key target last year when he led the team with 30 catches for 386 yards. With the 6-4, 240-pound Thayer gone, junior Garrett Hoskins (6-2, 233, 8 catches, 217 yards, 2 TDs) will move into the spot.
EMU does return its top receiver on the outside. Junior Kinsman Thomas (6-2, 205) was the Eagles leader in reception yardage last year. He managed 473 yards on 26 receptions (18.2 ypc) for the campaign, with a season-best 133 yards and two TDs during a 28-21 loss at eventual MAC champ Miami last September.
Sophomore Donald Scott, a former AAU national champ in the triple jump, who qualified for the NCAA East Regionals last year, should be at the other wideout spot after catching 12 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns in six games as a freshman.
DEFENSE
While the Eagles certainly weren’t an offensive juggernaut in 2010, they sometimes allowed opponents to play like it. On two occasions, EMU yielded over 70 points. One of those occasions was a 73-20 loss to Ohio State. The other was a disappointing season and home finale in which the Northern Illinois Huskies posted a 71-3 defeat on the hosts – not exactly the way you want to head into the offseason.
Overall, Eastern Michigan gave up an average of 43.9 points per contest over 12 games. The damage was 40.4 ppg. in conference-only play. Both were last among MAC teams.
For the Eagles to continue moving forward, the defensive deficiencies needed to be addressed, and that has been done in part with an influx of junior college talent.
Seven starters return on the defensive side, but there could be considerable movement on the depth chart as the Eagles go through fall practice and open with a pair of FBS games against Howard and Alabama State. Finding the right mix and developing chemistry/cohesiveness is an early challenge for this unit.
Stopping the run (last in MAC) and getting quarterback sacks (last in the MAC) are two indicators of a defensive line that is undersized and susceptible to being worn down. A lack of pass rush, in turn, puts added pressure on a secondary that can’t ignore the run.
Senior Safety Martavius Cardwell could be an important piece in the Eagles 2011 defense - if he can stay healthy. He missed the first five games of 2010, but returned for the last seven and finished with 46 stops (four tackles-for-loss). Junior cornerback Marcell Rose registered 56 tackles and had seven pass breakups while starting all 12 games. Like Cardwell, middle linebacker Marcus English hopes to stay healthy in his senior season. The 6-1, 228-pounder missed five games with injuries last season but finished with 37 tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior punter Jay Karutz is back after averaging 38.7 yards on 68 punts. The Eagles hope he gets less work and junior place kicker Sean Graham gets more field goal opportunites this time around. Graham was 5-for-8 last year with a long of 42 yards.
NOTES
Eastern Michigan’s schedule has a little bit of everything. In addition to the MAC West menu, the Eagles meet Akron and Buffalo from the East division. Both were 1-7 in MAC play and tied for fifth place in their division. EMU faces each in Ypsilanti, where they have six home games in 2011.
Eastern Michigan also gets an early break with two FCS teams (Howard and Alabama State. It gets a little harder after that, with trips to Michigan and Penn State before opening MAC play.
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