2022 Record: 9-4, 5-3 MAC
2023 MAC Head Coaches Poll: Second in MAC West
People tend to remember the champs -- second place, not so much!
Maybe so, but you can bet Eastern Michigan fans, coaches and players remember just how close the Eagles came to winning the West Division and a ticket to the MAC championship game last year. Both Toledo and EMU finished conference play with 5-3 records, but the Rockets claimed a title by virtue of a 27-24 victory Oct. 29 in Ypsilanti. Eastern Michigan led 24-17 heading into the fourth quarter, but UT finished with 10 unanswered points.
"There are things that we are super proud of from last year," Head Coach Chris Creighton said, noting EMU's bowl game appearance and a program record nine wins. However, he added, "The pre-eminent thought from last season was that loss to Toledo, which really nullified us doing what we wanted to do."
Prospects of another run at the MAC West title are good enough for MAC Head Coaches to pick Eastern Michigan second in the 2023 preseason poll. Toledo, which also returns significant talent, got the nod for first. For what it's worth, this year's EMU-UT clash will be in Toledo (Nov. 8).
>> Although EMU ranked ninth among MAC teams in total offense (364.7 ypg) last year, the Eagles were third in scoring (29.8 ppg). Eastern Michigan's defense, meanwhile, ranked eighth (28.5 ppg).
>> The biggest turnover is on offense, where four returning starters are sprinkled thorugh the unit.
>> Quarterback Taylor Powell, who played in nine games for the 2022 Eagles, completing 64.7 percent of his passes (2,111 yards, 16 TDs, 8 INTs) is now with the Canadian Football League Hamilton Tiger Cats. However, junior Austin Smith is back after appearing in nine games. He completed 57.1 percent of pass attempts, good for a total of 774 yards with six TDs and four picks. Smith also rushed 61 times, averaging 4.2 ypc with a total of 255 yards and two scores. "We're really excited about Austin," Creighton said. "He started four games last year and was very productive."
>> EMU receiving leader Tanner Knue (Third Team All-MAC) returns after catching 45 balls totaling 632 yards with nine scores. "He can be as good as I've ever coached," Creighton said.
Tyler Drummond and Hassan Beydoun, who had some key catches for EMU, are gone, but junior Von Swinton has transferred in after appearing in 28 games for Indiana. Andreas Paaske is back at tight end.
>> Maintaining a solid running game will be important, and Eastern Michigan will again ride the legs of Samson Evans. The 6-0, 218-pound senior earned Second Team All-MAC honors in 2022. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry, totaling 1,166 yards with a MAC-best 15 rushing TDs.
"Sampson had a sensational year last year," Creighton said. "If you blocked for four yards, he'd get six."
Jaylon Jackson can be part of a one-two punch. He logged 90 carries for a total of 398 yards (4.4 ypc) with two TDs last year.
The senior is also a dangerous kick returner. He brought back 22 kicks, amassing 571-yards and one kick-return touchdown. They included two of the top 16 longest kickoff returns in EMU football history (89-yards versus the University of Buffalo for a touchdown (Sept. 24), 87-yards against Western Michigan.
>> There is some work to do up front. Sidy Sow (First Team All-MAC) was drafted by the New England Patriots. However Alex Howie and Brian Dooley are seniors who could anchor the right side.
>> Eastern Michigan ranked seventh among MAC teams in run defense (256.1 ypg) and fourth in pass defense (220.9 ypg).
EMU was sixth in pass defense efficiency.
>> The defensive side projects more returning starters (8) the EMU's offense.
>> Opponents are no doubt glad to know Jose Ramierez has moved on to NFL competition (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). The 2022 MAC Defensive Player of the Year registered 12 solo sacks in 13 games last year. DT Peyton Price is the lone returning starter along the front line, but Creighton indicated he was excited about the remaining pieces, as well.
>> There is more experience along the next line of defense as seniors Chase Kline and Joe Sparacio return. They ranked one-two among Eagle defenders, combining for 180 tackles (83 solo).
>> Eastern Michigan led the MAC with 13 interceptions in 2022, and the secondary returns nearly intact. Junior rover Joshua Scott recorded three picks.
>> Ben Needham has moved into a defensive cordinator/linebackers coach role. It's his sixth year with the program.
>> "We learned some things about our defense in the latter part of the year that we are going to continue to explore and get better at," Creighton said.
>> The Eagles are strong on specials. Mitchell Tomasek led the loop in punting with an average of 44.1 yards per boot. Meanwhile, Jesus Gomez stepped into the role of full time kicker by earning Third Team All-MAC honors. He converted all 47 PATs and 14-of-17 field goals, with a long of 55 yards.
>> With outstanding options in the return game, Creighton said he felt EMU might have the best special teams unit in the MAC.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The Eagles were tantalizingly close last year. While losing Powell, some receiving production and Ramirez cannot be overlooked, Creighton has managed to bring in and/or develop the talent to challenge once again.
The non-conference schedule is certainly manageable, so reaching another bowl game is a very realistic goal. EMU also avoids MAC East contenders Ohio and Miami during interdivisional play. Things get somewhat tougher down the stretch with Northern Illinois (away), Toledo (away) and Buffalo (away) among the final five games. If the O-line can develop and mesh during the first half of 2022, Eastern Michigan can lean on the run game while while developing its passing game for the critical final weeks.