Is English To Blame: Eagles Embarassed on Homecoming

       

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          There was a lot of hype coming into this game, as well as a lot of questions. It was a game that would've really helped the Eagles if they pulled out a win, but it wasn't meant to be. But the big question after this game was, is English to blame for this loss?

         On homecoming, Eastern came in with high hopes and left in disappointment with a 51-20 loss to Ball State. The only time Eastern Michigan lead the entire game was the opening possession which went for a touchdown, and a blacked PAT. After that it was all Ball State.

       
 Just in the first quarter the Cardinals put up 27 points, and went into halftime with a 34-13 lead.

         The second half just got uglier. Ball State's QB Keith Wenning was putting the ball right in the bread basket. Eastern's man coverage wasn't that bad, it's just Wenning's throws were better. The Eagles defense did have a ton of trouble contain Ball State's run, which isn't really what they are known for doing, but BSU RB Jahwan Edwards ran for 3 touchdowns in this game.

         So the defense wasn't very impressive in this one, as they forced 1 turnover all game, that was too late to do anything. EMU's defense gave up about 350 yards passing and 200 yards rushing in one game.

        When the offense took the field there was one bright spot. RB Bronson Hill, looked to be better in this game then previous games. He came off the field shortly with an injury but made a quick return, and had some impressive runs. Now I wouldn't call Hill EMU's running back because EMU also tends to rely on Darius Jackson and Ryan Brumfield a lot as well.

        What kept Eastern Michigan out of this game in the first half was turnovers. The running backs had 2 fumbles lost, and Benz had thrown 2 interceptions in this game, both were never meant to be thrown. The Eagles also had 9 penalties resulting in 81 yards total. Some of the calls were very questionable though.

         So this brings up my question of, Is Ron English to blame for this loss? Eastern Michigan fumbled the ball in the first quarter, as a result Ball State scores a touchdown. Again in the 2nd quarter, EMU fumbles and recovered by Ball State which allowed them to run the clock and punt for better field position for the Cardinals defense. In the 3rd quarter Tyler Benz throws a interception, as a result Ball State scores.

          Can you blame English for these types of mistakes. I do give a lot of credit to Ball State's offense because they played outstanding. Keith Wenning couldn't have thrown better footballs then he did in this game.

          Eastern Michigan will take a week off before traveling to Buffalo.

Eagles Dominate Rutgers: Still Lose

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        After coming off a week 2 loss to Penn State, Eastern Michigan tried getting back in the win column by trying to beat Rutgers. Unfortunately the outcome didn't go in Eastern Michigan's favor.

      The Eagles were right in this game and could have came out with a win, as the team fought very hard for the first three quarters, but were unable to contain the Scarlet Knights in the fourth.

      Rutgers was able to get on the board to start the game on the opening drive. Later in first EMU marches down the field but stopped on 3rd down and forced to kick a field goal.

      When getting to the second quarter Rutgers is up 14-3 and EMU is very much in this ball game. Then Eastern Michigan pulls off the best play they've had this year. Some trickery with Ryan Brumfield at QB, throwing a lateral pass to QB Tyler Benz lined up at WR. Benz throw back to Brumfield across field for a touchdown.

      As we get to the second half of the game Rutgers takes full advantage and pulls away on a couple of touchdowns.

       Even though Rutgers came out with the win, Eastern Michigan dominated almost the whole game. Looking at these stats, EMU had 373 total yards compared to Rutgers who had 274. But wait there's more EMU went 7/19 on 3rd down conversions, Rutgers was 1/8. EMU had 21 first down, Rutgers had 12. The Eagles went 24/40 passing completions, as Rutgers 8/13. Time of procession EMU had the ball for about 38 minutes, Rutgers had it for 22 minutes.

      How did we not win?!?! Eastern Michigan could not execute on field goals, they would get flagged for stupid penalties which kept us out of being in any good field position.

      The kicking game was not up to par in this game. Dylan Mulder went 1/3 in field goal today. Punter Austin Barnes, shanked a few of his punts out of bounds giving Rutgers the advantage in field position.

      The defense I thought played alright, and kept it a pretty close game. The offensive line is what is holding this team back from success. EMU hasn't been able to establish a running game, because Bronson Hill of Darius Jackson is just wrapped up in the back-field before the play can develop.

      The offensive line had the most penalties called against them, with holding calls and more. QB Tyler Benz did take a few sacks in this game. In order for EMU to be successful it has to start up front.

       By now we all can tell we can pass the ball, well that's because we can't run, unless we go backwards.

        As far as the defense goes, I do see improvements every week. DL Mike Steals made his presence felt in this game getting in the backfield often. The secondary was outstanding against some very big Rutgers wide receivers.

      I was pretty impressed EMU competed with Rutgers so well, but the keys for the teams success is.
-Play all four quarters.
-Establish at least some blocking up front.
-Stop running the ball on first and second down if you know we're going to have to go for a long pass on 3rd down.
-Make Field Goals.
-Get better field position.

       Eastern Michigan has a good chance at competing in the MAC this year, if we can get the small problems worked out we have a chance at being a good team.

        Now it's homecoming week, as the Eagles host a talented Ball State team. Game starts at 1PM at Rynearson Stadium.

Fourth Quarter Run lifts Eagles to win Opener

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EASTERN MICHIGAN PULLS OFF WIN AGAINST HOWARD

  The 2013 season starts out with an EMU victory. It might not have been the prettiest win we could have asked for, but a win we will take it.

      With everyone excited for the season to start Eastern had a great crowd on hand. Most of the home side of the stadium was filled. The energy of the stadium was great, and the Eagles could use a crowd like this every game. Players can pump up the crowd and get them loud and make noise which I do think made a difference on a few plays in this game.

        The first quarter nobody scored but both teams were close to getting there. An interception in the first quarter cost the Eagles a very good drive, while they were marching down field pretty easily.

       Howard definitely came to play, as they did lead Eastern Michigan at a few points in the game. Howard wasn't the most impressive team but a team that proved they could contend.

       As we go to the second quarter that's when both teams started to warm up a little more. EMU got on the board first with an 18 yard touchdown reception to TE Tyreese Russell. Howard did have a quick answer on a huge touchdown run going for 65 yards and later in the quarter scoring a field goal. Then a late run by EMU got the Eagles the lead going into halftime with a 33 yard touchdown pass to D. Reed. The extra-point was later blocked by Howard (13-10 EMU).

      Tyler Benz did come to play in this game. He was outstanding throwing the ball for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns both being in the second quarter. Benz did play the entire game and took every single snap.

      With only a three point lead going into the second half Eastern knew they needed to separate themselves to get a bigger lead. Well that didn't quite happen right out of the gate. Howard's Jonathan Booker caught a 32 yard touchdown reception to put the Bison back on top 17-13.

      Howard wouldn't go away, later in the quarter Eastern Michigan's defense holds Howard on fourth down from the 1 yard line. But a penalty against the Eagles made it first down from the 1 for Howard. They would score the very next play making it 24-13 Howard.

      The penalty turned out to be a key penalty in the game. EMU's Donald Coleman was called for a targeting penalty. A new rule put in place this season by the NCAA. With that penalty Coleman was ejected from the game and must sit out four quarters as part as punishment. The quarters do carry over so he will likely be out the first two quarters of the Penn State game as well. The only way for that to change is if the review team at EMU and NCAA overturn it and allow him to play.

      So in the third quarter things weren't looking to good for the Eagles, being down 11. Late in the third quarter RB Bronson Hill takes a 2 yard run in for a big touchdown. This would pull Eastern Michigan to within 4 of Howard.

      As the fourth quarter went on it was all EMU. Bronson Hill had another touchdown this time for 3 yards to give the Eagles a 27-24 lead. With time running down in the game RB Darius Jackson breaks tackles for 19 yards and a touchdown to seal the win for Eastern Michigan 34-24.

      It was a big learning game for Eastern Michigan. There is still much to be improved on before the start of conference play. The passing game and running game looked outstanding on the offensive side of the ball. On defense the coverage was good but stopping the run or short passes tended to be a problem.

      QB Tyler Benz distributed the ball very well during this game, not having one specific receiver he would pass to. J. Jones and D. Reed both led the team with 4 receptions for more then 50 yards. WR Dustin Creel had a few nice catches right before going to halftime, as he had 4 receptions for 43 yards.

       Bronson Hill led the running backs as expected with 101 yards on the ground and 2 touchdown rushes. Darius Jackson also helped out the running game with 7 carries for 64 yards.

       I was expecting the offense to put more points up on the board then they did. Maybe it was just the first game jitters but EMU started pretty slow and played at the same level as the competition. It wasn't until the fourth quarter until I saw sense of urgency and EMU playing like a good football team.

      The defense has to stop the run. Giving up big plays is what kept Howard in the game and gave them a little momentum.

      Eastern Michigan has a tough road of games coming up. The Eagles travel to Penn State to play the 1-0 Nittany Lions in their home opener. Then following week EMU will head to Rutgers to play the Scarlet Knights after they took a tough loss in week 1.

       Be sure to watch your Eastern Michigan Eagles on the Big Ten Network at noon next Saturday when taking on Penn State.