OVERVIEW:
The Eagles went 4-4 in conference play last year, with three of those wins coming by a total of five points. Three other potential victories finished with EMU losing by eight or fewer points. Suffice it to say, the Eagles played in quite a few close games and pretty much split those contests.
Ultimately, Eastern Michigan recorded seven wins -- enough to secure a LendingTree Bowl appearance. Getting back to a bowl game will likely be challenge this season, and the MAC media preseason poll picked EMU for fifth place in the loaded MAC West race.
The Eagles certainly have talent, but there are also big question marks, and EMU will need to find some answers to again pull out some of those close wins.
Perhaps the biggest question is at quarterback. Ben Bryant, who left Cincinnati and recorded the MAC's best passing percentage (68.1%) at the EMU helm, transferred back to UC during the past off season. His presence last year helped Eastern Michigan finish fourth among MAC teams in average passing yards per game (254.8). The Eagles were second in completions (279). With Bryant gone, Eastern brought in former Troy and Missouri QB Taylor Powell. He played in six games, starting five last year before getting injured. Overall, he completed 125 of 189 for 1,271 yards. His top performance was 35 for 49 for 311 yards and two TDs against Louisiana - Monroe.
"Through the spring, Taylor Powell emerged (from our quarterback competiton)," head coach Chris Creighton said at MAC Media Day. "He completed completed 81 percent of his passes in spring ball."
While the quarterback situation is a bit muddy, Eastern Michigan has plenty of talent to target. Senior Hassan Beydoun tops that list. He sete an EMU record for receptions in a season (97) and picked up 1,015 yards in 2021. The second team All-MAC selection also shined as a punt and kick return specialist. Taylor Knue and Dylan Drummond are also part of an experienced receiving corps.
Center Richard Bates and tackle Brian Dooley are among returning starters along the O-line. It's a unit on which is key to EMU success. "We think we've got some really good talent and guys that know what is going on," Creighton said. "We all know that nothing works ... without those guys (up front)."
Last season, the Eagles ranked 10th among MAC terms rushing the ball (116.9 ypg). Eastern Michigan was last in rushing TDs (8) and tied for 10th in average yards per carry (3.8 ypc). Darius Boone Jr and Samson Evans - the team's top running backs - return to carry the load.
A little more consistency in defensive performances would be a big plus in 2021. While the unit shined in a 13-12 win over Miami, Eastern surendered 38 points in a 38-31 loss to Ball State the next week. It gave up 31 in a 31-10 loss to Central Michigan in Week 12. Liberty tallied eight touchdowns while downing EMU 56-20 in bowl action.
Among MAC teams, EMU was sixth in scoring defense (28.4 ppg), seventh in total defense (418.3 ypg), ninth against the run (198.8 ypg) and fifth in pass defense (219.6 ypg).
Top returners for 2022 include DE Jose Ramirez (6.5 sacks, 12 TFLs) and (LB) Tariq Speights (team-high 89 tackles). "Ramirez is disruptive at defensive end. ... He is super-talented," Creighton said.
Along the back end, CBs Kempton Shine and T.J. Peavy also have starting experience. Russell Baden IV recorded three interceptions over eight contests.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Chad Ryland, who made 19 of 22 field goals (long of 55) is gone, with freshman Jesus Gomez moving into that spot. Meanwhile, the Eagles also lost MAC leader Jake Julien, who averaged a whopping 46.2 yards per punt in 2021. Adam Heston could move into that spot.
MISC:
>> The Eagles open 2022 by hosting Eastern Kentucky Sept. 2. After trips to Louisiana and Arizona State, EMU gets an early start on MAC play when it hosts Buffalo.
>> The Eagles are one of three MAC teams to play UMass, which is one of seven FBS teams still independent.
>> Speights recorded a season-best 12 stops against Central Michigan (Nov. 27) and had at least 11 tackles three different times in 2021. He was named to this year's Wuefffel Trophy watch list.
>> Creighton is entering his ninth year as head coach at EMU. The Eagles have been to bowl games in four of his first eight seasons, but they have yet to record an FBS post season victory.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
While West Division champion Northern Illinois was the king of close wins last year, EMU won its share of close encounters. Doing so again is likely to be necessary for another bowl appearance. That means the Eagles need solid replacements for their kicking game and at quarterback. Challenging for a MAC West title will be difficult, but reaching bowl eligibility certainly isn't out of the question of EMU's passing game gets going.