Eastern Michigan Athletics
Start Stackin’: EMU Football Begins Fall Practice
8/2/2022 1:47:00 PM | Football
Team 131 will open play against Eastern Kentucky, Sept. 2
Highlight Video
Video Interviews with: Chris_Creighton. Russell_Vaden IV. Brian_Dooley.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — There may not have been any caroling out in the snow, but if Andy Williams was a college football fan, even he might say that it's officially the most wonderful time of the year; The Eastern Michigan University football program officially kicked off its fall practice schedule on the gray turf inside "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium. The session, dubbed as an "Opportunity" by ninth-year Head Coach Chris Creighton, is the first the team will use in preparation for its Sept. 2 bout with Eastern Kentucky University, set to begin at 7 p.m.
"There is definitely excitement," proclaimed Creighton. "This is what we love to do. To really start the official first day of the season, we are so excited."
When Creighton's Eagles take the field against the Colonels, they will begin the 131st season of football at Eastern Michigan.
This practice was the first of the three-day acclimation period where the players can only wear helmets, before sporting shoulder pads on the fourth day, and finally full pads on the fifth day.
Throughout the session, Creighton reminded his team of the magnitude each practice leading up to the season opener carries, and encouraged the squad to use every drill, practice, and week throughout camp to improve as an individual player and teammate. The words "Stack 'Em" were prevalent throughout the day.
The "Stack 'Em" mantra reminds each player and coach that in order to achieve their ultimate goal of winning a championship, they must stack each day on top of the next, continually building momentum as they get closer to their goal.
After a new look dynamic warm-up, ran by first year Director of Sports Performance Deonte Mack, the team took part in Creighton's always popular "Turnover Circuit," which splits the squad into smaller units and puts them through numerous activities, all aimed at improving ball security.
From there, the practice featured various special teams drills and individual position group work. Team-based activities concluded the day's events.
After an evening walk-through session tonight, a portion of camp in-place for just the sixth year after the elimination of two-a-days following the 2016 season, practice will resume tomorrow morning with another session on the "EMU Gray," field turf.
For updates on the team, be sure to follow @EMU_FB on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Season tickets are on sale in anticipation for the fall, as fans will have the opportunity to select their seat inside the stadium The "fan-friendly" 2022 schedule features six home games, with five set to be played before the month of October concludes. Furthermore, Eastern will defend the gray turf for four-of-six games between Sept. 24 and Oct. 29.
Eastern Michigan continues to offer the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for just $144. This package includes a wide chairback with armrests on the 50-yard line along with VIP season parking. Chairback Season Tickets are $108 and include a chairback in Reserved Sections 104-109.
Reserved season tickets are just $99 (Reserved Sections 104-109), while General Admission season tickets are $75 (Sections 110-114 and the visiting side).
Tickets are on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
Below is a full schedule for this year's fall practices:
OPPORTUNITY 1: Tuesday, Aug. 2
OPPORTUNITY 2: Wednesday, Aug. 3
OPPORTUNITY 3: Thursday, Aug. 4
OPPORTUNITY 4: Saturday, Aug. 6
OPPORTUNITY 5: Sunday, Aug. 7
OPPORTUNITY 6: Monday, Aug. 8 (first day in full pads)
OPPORTUNITY 7: Tuesday, Aug. 9
OPPORTUNITY 8: Thursday, Aug. 11
OPPORTUNITY 9: Friday, Aug. 12
OPPORTUNITY 10: Saturday, Aug. 13
OPPORTUNITY 11: Monday, Aug. 15
OPPORTUNITY 12: Tuesday, Aug. 16
OPPORTUNITY 13: Wednesday, Aug. 17
OPPORTUNITY 14: Friday, Aug. 19
OPPORTUNITY 15: Saturday, Aug. 20
OPPORTUNITY 16: Monday, Aug. 22
OPPORTUNITY 17: Tuesday, Aug. 23
OPPORTUNITY 18: Wednesday, Aug. 24
OPPORTUNITY 19: Thursday, Aug. 25
OPPORTUNITY 20: Friday, Aug. 26
*Practices are closed to the public. Any media wishing to attend must seek credentialed access through the EMU Office of Athletic Media Relations*
