Addition of Snyder should help EMU passing game
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES
2023 RECORD: 6-7 (4-4 MAC)
2024 MAC Head Coaches Poll: 6th
MRO STAFF
A two-game winning streak to close the 2023 reguiar season enabled Eastern Michigan to reach a bowl game. However, a lopsided (59-10) loss to South Alabama in the 68 Ventures Bowl left EMU with a 6-7 record on the year. The Eagles were 4-4 in MAC action).
Coach Chris Creighton's 2023 squad had trouble getting traction as the Eagles failed to win win more than two straight games. That happened twice. Meanwhile, the longest losing streak was three games (once).
Statistically, EMU struggled . . .
2023 RECORD: 6-7 (4-4 MAC)
2024 MAC Head Coaches Poll: 6th
MRO STAFF
A two-game winning streak to close the 2023 reguiar season enabled Eastern Michigan to reach a bowl game. However, a lopsided (59-10) loss to South Alabama in the 68 Ventures Bowl left EMU with a 6-7 record on the year. The Eagles were 4-4 in MAC action).
Coach Chris Creighton's 2023 squad had trouble getting traction as the Eagles failed to win win more than two straight games. That happened twice. Meanwhile, the longest losing streak was three games (once).
Statistically, EMU struggled . . .
Cole Snyder was a productive passer at Buffalo over the last two seasons. (MVSmith/MRO) . . . on both sides of the ball. It was last among MAC teams in total offense (264.1 ypg) and 11th (of 12) in total defense (401.7 ypg). Somehow, though, the Eagles fared better in scoring (9th - 19.5 ppg) and scoring defense (7th - 26.7 ppg).
OFFENSE:
Any improvements in the passing game would be a step in the right direction for EMU's offense. The Eagles were 11th in passing (152.0 ypg).
Enter Cole Snyder, former Rutgers and Buffalo quarterback. He completed 203 of 372 attempts, good for 2,109 yards, 13 TDs and 9 interceptions last year in a Bulls uniform. During his two campaigns with UB, he threw for over 5,000 yards with 31 TDs and 17 picks.
Tanner Knue, who led EMU receivers last year, is gone (Tampa Bay). However, senior JB Mitchell III returns after registering 35 catches for 398 yards and 1 TD in 2023. He will be joined by transfer Oran Singleton (Hutchinson CC). Tight end Jere Getzinger had 10 starts for EMU last year, snagging 16 passes totaling 88 yards with one TD.
Durable veteran Samson Evans is gone, with senior Dontae McMillan possibly stepping into the featured running back position.
The Eagles also have question marks up front. Mickey Rewalinski is one of several seniors but the only returning starter.
OFFENSE:
Any improvements in the passing game would be a step in the right direction for EMU's offense. The Eagles were 11th in passing (152.0 ypg).
Enter Cole Snyder, former Rutgers and Buffalo quarterback. He completed 203 of 372 attempts, good for 2,109 yards, 13 TDs and 9 interceptions last year in a Bulls uniform. During his two campaigns with UB, he threw for over 5,000 yards with 31 TDs and 17 picks.
Tanner Knue, who led EMU receivers last year, is gone (Tampa Bay). However, senior JB Mitchell III returns after registering 35 catches for 398 yards and 1 TD in 2023. He will be joined by transfer Oran Singleton (Hutchinson CC). Tight end Jere Getzinger had 10 starts for EMU last year, snagging 16 passes totaling 88 yards with one TD.
Durable veteran Samson Evans is gone, with senior Dontae McMillan possibly stepping into the featured running back position.
The Eagles also have question marks up front. Mickey Rewalinski is one of several seniors but the only returning starter.
DEFENSE:
Five starters return on the defensive side, including three along the defensive line. Nose tackle Peyton Price tops that group. He registered four sacks last year, while fellow senior Justin Jefferson recorded 3.5 sacks.
Cornerback Daiquan White and safety Quentaius Scandrett are back to anchor the secondary. Joshua Scott's season ended early due to injury last year, but he played in all 13 games the previous season, recording 30 tackles and three interceptions.
As for linebackers, fall camp and non-conference play may help sort out who can replace the departed playmakers of last year.
Five starters return on the defensive side, including three along the defensive line. Nose tackle Peyton Price tops that group. He registered four sacks last year, while fellow senior Justin Jefferson recorded 3.5 sacks.
Cornerback Daiquan White and safety Quentaius Scandrett are back to anchor the secondary. Joshua Scott's season ended early due to injury last year, but he played in all 13 games the previous season, recording 30 tackles and three interceptions.
As for linebackers, fall camp and non-conference play may help sort out who can replace the departed playmakers of last year.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
The Eagles are fortunate to have a solid special teams tandem in kicker Jesus Gomez and punter Mitchel Tomasek.
Gomez hit 12 of 16 field goals in 2023. He was 2 of 4 from 50 yards or longer, with a long of 55.
Tomasek led the MAC in punts (67) and punting average (45.7). His long went for 72 yards!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
>> Adding Snyder to the mix certainly adds to the offense's potential. On the other hand, NOT seeing Samson Evans in the backfield is a little scary -- especially with a lot of new faces along the starting offensive line.
>> The defense flat out needs to improve as the Eagles ranked last against the run (188.7 ypg) and ninth in defending the pass (213 y pg).
>> Special teams look solid and Creighton is a respected head coach who has managed to get EMU to a bowl game in every season after 2020.
>> Washington and Jacksonville State are the more challenging parts of EMU's non-conference schedule, with JSU shutting out the Eagles 21-0 last year. The MAC schedule is a mix, but EMU does get league favorites Miami and Toledo at home. Struggling Kent State and Akron provide two of the four MAC road tests.
The Eagles are fortunate to have a solid special teams tandem in kicker Jesus Gomez and punter Mitchel Tomasek.
Gomez hit 12 of 16 field goals in 2023. He was 2 of 4 from 50 yards or longer, with a long of 55.
Tomasek led the MAC in punts (67) and punting average (45.7). His long went for 72 yards!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
>> Adding Snyder to the mix certainly adds to the offense's potential. On the other hand, NOT seeing Samson Evans in the backfield is a little scary -- especially with a lot of new faces along the starting offensive line.
>> The defense flat out needs to improve as the Eagles ranked last against the run (188.7 ypg) and ninth in defending the pass (213 y pg).
>> Special teams look solid and Creighton is a respected head coach who has managed to get EMU to a bowl game in every season after 2020.
>> Washington and Jacksonville State are the more challenging parts of EMU's non-conference schedule, with JSU shutting out the Eagles 21-0 last year. The MAC schedule is a mix, but EMU does get league favorites Miami and Toledo at home. Struggling Kent State and Akron provide two of the four MAC road tests.
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