Eastern Michigan Preview 2011
Michigan will battle the Eastern Michigan Eagles for the Battle of Washtenaw County. This will be the 10th meeting between the two schools, and the Eagles are winless scoring only 59 points in nine meetings with six of those meetings shutouts. Brady Hoke is 4-2 against the Eagles, and Ron English lost his only meeting against his former team in 2009. English's coaching staff includes four former Wolverines: Kurt Anderson, offensive line, Tom Burpee, Tight Ends and Special Teams, Steve Morrison, linebackers and Mike Hart, running backs. English left Michigan after the 2007 season as defensive coordinator for Lloyd Carr, went to Louisville for one year (2008) as defensive coordinator and has been the Eagles head coach for three years (2009-2011).
On Offense, Junior Alex Gillett is the quarterback; he is 19 of 40 for 176 yards, 3 TDs and 2 interceptions so far in two games, and has run for 150 yards in 21 carries for another TD. Sophomore Javonti Greene is averaging 133 yards per game, and Junior Dominique Sherrer is averaging 115 yards per game, and as a team they average 331 yards per game on the ground. Of course, their first two opponents are Division IA with Howard and Alabama State. Sophomore Joe Fleming may see action at running back. Up front, Senior Bridger Buche anchors the offensive line at Right Guard, Redshirt Freshman Lincoln Hansen is the Right Tackle, Center is manned by Junior Andrew Sorgatz, Left Guard is Junior Corey Watman and Left Tackle is Sophomore Scott MacLeod. Sophomore Nick Olds has 5 receptions and a TD, Senior Trey Hunter has 4 receptions as wide receivers and Junior Tight End Garrett Hoskins has 3 catches including a TD. Senior Corey Welch and Freshman Demarius Reed will also see action at wide receiver.
On Defense, Junior WILL Linebacker Justin Cudworth is their leader with 19 tackles, 3.5 for loss including .5 sack, a quarterback hit and a forced fumble. Senior MIKE Linebacker Marcus English has 13 tackles, 3.5 for loss, a sack and 2 quarterback hits. Senior Defensive End Brad Ohrman anchors the defensive line, and he has 11 tackles, 4 for loss, 2.5 sacks and 2 quarterback hits. Senior Brandon Slater is the Nose Tackle, and Sophomore Kalonji Kashama is the other defensive end in their 3-4 scheme. Junior Devon Davis also comes in the rush in passing situations. Senior Jabar Westerman is another reserve lineman that should see action. Their RUSH Linebacker is Junior Andy Mulumba, and SAM Outside Linebacker is Junior Blake Poole. Senior Willie Williams is the Strong Safety, Sophomore Marlon Pollard is the Left Corner, Senior Latarrius Thomas is the Free Safety and the Right Corner is Junior Marcell Rose. Thomas followed English from Louisville. Senior Herb Waits will also see action at Linebacker for the Eagles.
On Special Teams, Australian Junior Jay Karutz is averaging only 36.3 yards on 10 punts with 6 inside the 20, 3 fair catches and one touchback. Sophomore Kody Fulkerson is two of three on field goals with a 45 yarder as his longest, and his 8 kickoffs have averaged 59.4 yards. Freshman Mike Yocum has also kicked off. Sherrer is their best kickoff returner, and he is flanked by Welch and Freshman Darius Scott. Marlon Pollard runs back punts. Junior Mike Zupancic is the long snapper, and Austin Karcher holds for field goals and extra points.
Ron English has gone to Canada and Junior Colleges to bolster his talent, and has found several good players from Michigan (32), Ohio (13), Indiana (3) and Illinois (12) that didn't get offers from Big Ten or other MAC schools. 9 players on his roster are from Junior College and 4 from Canada. He also has 9 players from California and 9 players from Florida. One regrets beating up on a former Wolverine, but we have to get our players ready for the Big Ten.
Prediction: Michigan 52 Eastern Michigan 7
Game Notes for Eastern Michigan (Eastern Michigan Game Notes for Michigan)
Brady Hoke Press Conference on September 14
Greg Mattison Press Conference on September 13
Al Borges Press Conference on September 13
Ron English Press Conference on September 12