Experienced Eastern Michigan squad aims for more
SEASON PREVIEW: EASTERN MICHIGAN
2024 RECORD: 5-7 (2-6 MAC)
2025 MAC HEAD COACHES POLL: 8TH
2024 RECORD: 5-7 (2-6 MAC)
2025 MAC HEAD COACHES POLL: 8TH
MRO STAFF
Chris Chreighton's Eagles will try to turn around a mini-slide this year as Eastern Michigan looks for its first winning season since 2022. EMU went 9-4 that year, posting a 6-3 MAC record along the way. The Eagles were 6-6 in 2023 and 5-7 last year.
Eastern Michigan seemed in relatively good shape at 5-2 with five contests remaining, but it dropped all five to close out the campaign.
There are some . . .
Chris Chreighton's Eagles will try to turn around a mini-slide this year as Eastern Michigan looks for its first winning season since 2022. EMU went 9-4 that year, posting a 6-3 MAC record along the way. The Eagles were 6-6 in 2023 and 5-7 last year.
Eastern Michigan seemed in relatively good shape at 5-2 with five contests remaining, but it dropped all five to close out the campaign.
There are some . . .
. . . definite plusses in the 2025 outlook. Among them is a cast that includes 11 returning starters spread relatively equally on both sides of the ball.
OFFENSE:
• Four seniors figure to start along the offensive line, and three linemen are returning starters. That should give the offense a good base.
Senior Terry Lockett Jr. is back after leading EMU receivers with 46 catches for 660 yards and five TDs. He was a Third-Team All-MAC selection.
Transfers dot some key spots in other places. Senior Noah Kim (Michigan State, Coaster Carolina) is likely at quarterback, although there are some other viable options. All can keep the defense honest with runs to compliment EMU's passing game.
• Senior Dontae McMillan is back at RB after an injury just two games into 2024. However, the Eagles also have talented transfers Taviere Dunlap (Michigan) and James Jointer Jr.
OFFENSE:
• Four seniors figure to start along the offensive line, and three linemen are returning starters. That should give the offense a good base.
Senior Terry Lockett Jr. is back after leading EMU receivers with 46 catches for 660 yards and five TDs. He was a Third-Team All-MAC selection.
Transfers dot some key spots in other places. Senior Noah Kim (Michigan State, Coaster Carolina) is likely at quarterback, although there are some other viable options. All can keep the defense honest with runs to compliment EMU's passing game.
• Senior Dontae McMillan is back at RB after an injury just two games into 2024. However, the Eagles also have talented transfers Taviere Dunlap (Michigan) and James Jointer Jr.
DEFENSE:
• There are plenty of seniors on defense and five returning starters spread across all three levels.
Nose tackle Tyrell Martin and Donovan Green anchor the E-line. There is depth at defensive end.
• Senior Zach Mowchan started three games early in 2024 but missed the rest of the season due to injury. Bryce Eliuk and transfer Kadin Bailey (Syracuse) round out the linebackers.
• Senior corner Josh Scott missed EMU's final 11 contests but returns for 2025. Jaivian Norman and Dramarian McNulty return at the safety spots.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
• Mitchell Tomasek is again expected to be among the MAC's top punters. His 44.2 yards per punt career average is tops in EMU history. Placekicker Jesus Gomez, who had a long of 57 yards in 2024, is now at Arizona State, so redshirt freshman Rudy Kessinger likely takes over duties.
• There are plenty of seniors on defense and five returning starters spread across all three levels.
Nose tackle Tyrell Martin and Donovan Green anchor the E-line. There is depth at defensive end.
• Senior Zach Mowchan started three games early in 2024 but missed the rest of the season due to injury. Bryce Eliuk and transfer Kadin Bailey (Syracuse) round out the linebackers.
• Senior corner Josh Scott missed EMU's final 11 contests but returns for 2025. Jaivian Norman and Dramarian McNulty return at the safety spots.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
• Mitchell Tomasek is again expected to be among the MAC's top punters. His 44.2 yards per punt career average is tops in EMU history. Placekicker Jesus Gomez, who had a long of 57 yards in 2024, is now at Arizona State, so redshirt freshman Rudy Kessinger likely takes over duties.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The Eagles ranked third among MAC teams in total offense last year, putting up an average of 377.8 ypg. However, they were sixth in scoring (26.9 ppg) and middle of the pack in several defensive categories.
With a decent amount of returning starters, including some stout linemen, EMU can aim higher in 2025. This is especially true if the quarterback and run game options work out, but adequately replacing Gomez is certainly a question waiting to be answered in close games.
The non-conference schedule is certainly navigable, with Kentucky being the only Power Four opponent. However, after opening MAC play at Central Michigan, EMU runs a gauntlet of MAC toughies (Buffalo, Northern Illinois, Miami, Ohio and Bowling Green) over the next five weeks. Avoiting a late-season losing streak could again be important to bowl hopes.
The Eagles ranked third among MAC teams in total offense last year, putting up an average of 377.8 ypg. However, they were sixth in scoring (26.9 ppg) and middle of the pack in several defensive categories.
With a decent amount of returning starters, including some stout linemen, EMU can aim higher in 2025. This is especially true if the quarterback and run game options work out, but adequately replacing Gomez is certainly a question waiting to be answered in close games.
The non-conference schedule is certainly navigable, with Kentucky being the only Power Four opponent. However, after opening MAC play at Central Michigan, EMU runs a gauntlet of MAC toughies (Buffalo, Northern Illinois, Miami, Ohio and Bowling Green) over the next five weeks. Avoiting a late-season losing streak could again be important to bowl hopes.
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