Eagles Unsuccessful in English's Debut

Box score.

Photo Gallery.

Click Here for Postgame Press Conference Video.

Click Here to Re-Watch the Game.

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Nearly 15,000 fans were on hand to usher in the 2009 Eastern Michigan University football season and the beginning of Head Coach Ron English's era here Saturday evening, Sept. 5, when the Eagles faced off against the Black Knights of Army.

Despite holding Army to just eight yards passing, the Eagles gave up 300 yards on the ground en route to a 27-14 loss in English's first game as head coach.

Army junior running back Patrick Mealy started the scoring when he capped a 12-play, 57-yard drive with a six-yard scamper into the end zone with 6:12 left in the first quarter. Junior place kicker Matthew Campbell missed the extra point and the Eagles were down 6-0.

In Eastern's three first quarter possessions, the team was unable to get the ball rolling, only producing 11 yards of total offense in three three-and-out possessions. English alluded to his squad's troubles from transitioning to the pro style offense from the spread offense the team ran under previous head coach Jeff Genyk.

“Yeah, we had some trouble adjusting,” English said of his Eagles' effort. “But when you can't score when you're on the five-yard line and when you turn the ball over inside the 10 you can't win that way.”

Running back Jameson Carter stretched Army's lead to 13-0 when he capitalized on Andrew Rodriguez's recovery of a fumbled snap by EMU. Carter was able to take a hand off from quarterback Trent Steelman and turn it into a 12-yard touchdown run.

Army's defensive pressure, coupled with the youth of EMU's starting offensive line, made for a long night for Eagle's senior quarterback Andy Schmitt (St. Johns, Mich.-St. Johns). The Black Nights sacked Schmitt six times on the evening and didn't allow him to get into a rhythm until near the end of the third quarter.

The Eagles' offense picked up the pace in the second half with Schmitt completing four straight passes from the shotgun, including a 20-yard touchdown pass to redshirt junior wideout Trey Hunter (Pemberville, Ohio-Eastwood), as Eastern scored its first points of the young season to cut Army's lead to 13-7 with 13:58 left in the third.

The Black Knights' rushing attack carved the Eagles defense with 44 yards rushing on one scoring drive from Kingsley Ehie and a 75-yard run from Mealy (who finished the game with five carries for 109 yards and a touchdown) on a subsequent scoring drive and Eastern fell into a 27-7 deficit with just under seven minutes left in the contest.

“They played well against our triple option,” said first year Army Head Coach Rich Ellerson of Eastern's defense. “We were just able to get the big plays.”

The Eagles were able to add one more touchdown late after Biletnikoff Watch List receiver Jacory Stone (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) caught a pass and dove into the end zone. The play was reviewed and ruled that Stone was down at the one-yard line. Junior running back Dwayne Priest (Roanoke, Va.-Fleming-Fork Union) plunged in on the very next play to make it 27-14 in favor of the visitors. Stone finished the game with eight grabs for 97 yards.

The teams would exchange turnovers before Army continued to control the clock and the ball and run the clock out.

“Learning how to win is a process,” English said. “Our guys have to learn how to win on every play and they're continuing to learn.”

EMU HISTORICALLY IN THE HOME OPENER: EMU has historically fared exceptionally well in home-opening contests, but the Eagles loss Saturday night dropped them to 71-42-4 (.607) all-time in openers. The Green and White are 6-4 in home openers this decade.

KEY PERFORMERS FOR THE EAGLES: On the defensive side of the ball, Brandon Downs (Springfield, Ohio-Kenton Ridge) had 10 tackles, 2.5 for losses, and two first-quarter sacks. Priest rushed the ball 19 times for 85 yards and one score, while Schmitt completed 18 of his 31 pass attempts for 183 yards and a touchdown. Junior college transfer and former University of Michigan cornerback Johnny Sears (Fresno, Calif.-Edison) made his presence felt as he acted as the utility man for the Eagles. Sears played well on defense and special teams, recording four tackles, and fielding two kickoffs for a total of 38 yards.

UP NEXT: The Eagles next game is Sept. 12, when the Green and White travel to Evanston, Ill. to take on Northwestern at 11 a.m. The next game at Rynearson will be Oct. 3, against Temple at 1 p.m.

Next Event

Team Stats

Andy Schmitt

Players Mentioned

Brandon Downs

Trey Hunter

Dwayne Priest

Andy Schmitt

Johnny Sears

Jacory Stone

Players Mentioned

Brandon Downs

Trey Hunter

Dwayne Priest

Andy Schmitt

Johnny Sears

Jacory Stone

Eastern Michigan Athletics