Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 3
9/8/2025 9:46:00 PM | Football, Soccer, General
Setbacks, Fresh Faces, and SEC Challenge
Click Here to Listen Now!
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Greg Steiner and Elena Davis opened the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE by pointing the focus toward Kentucky, where Eastern Michigan football will meet the Wildcats in their third all-time matchup. Before looking ahead, they broke down a busy week across EMU athletics. Women's soccer fell on the road at DePaul in a penalty kick finish but returns home Thursday at Scicluna Field. That same afternoon, Rynearson Stadium will host Field Day, part of Homecoming week activities, where fans can take part in games like tug of war, three-legged races, potato sack runs, and water balloon tosses. Davis shared her excitement for the event, while the two joked about childhood favorites like egg races and Nickelodeon-style slime.
The show also spotlighted Saturday's official watch party at Aubree's Pizzeria and Grill in Depot Town for fans to gather while EMU football plays on the road. The conversation shifted back to the football team's home opener, where Long Island spoiled Chris Creighton's squad's first game in Ypsilanti. The Eagles struggled to generate defensive stops and never led, although a late touchdown narrowed the final score. Looking ahead to Kentucky, Steiner and Davis noted the Wildcats' experienced quarterback, their two-strong running back rotation, and the difficulty of a schedule that already featured Toledo and Ole Miss, with SEC powers still ahead.
Other EMU sports were highlighted as well. Volleyball improved to 5-2 after sweeping their home tournament and now heads to Oakland University for a weekend slate against Xavier, Southern Illinois, and the host Golden Grizzlies. Both golf programs opened play, with women's golf surging to a massive early lead in Statesboro, sitting nearly 10 strokes under par and well ahead of the field.
Segment 1 - Chris Creighton
Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton did not sugarcoat his team's position as it prepares for a road trip to Kentucky this weekend.
"We were behind the whole game," Creighton said of Saturday's 28-21 home loss to LIU. "We brought that on our own. We had the ball first and weren't able to score, and then they did. They had the lead for the entire game."
The setback, which left EMU at 0-2, followed a similar pattern to the opener at Texas State. The Eagles struggled to sustain drives and often found themselves playing from behind. Creighton pointed to early execution as the key.
"For us, it comes down to first-down success," he said. "When your first-down productivity puts you in second-and-long, it makes it tougher. You've got to keep people off balance with play action, RPOs, different looks. At times we've been really good at that, but when we stall, it's usually because we're not winning first down."
The running back duo of Dontae McMillan and Tavierre Dunlap has been one bright spot. McMillan's burst in open space and ability as a pass catcher give the offense versatility, while Dunlap has added steady production.
"Having both those guys on the field at the same time has been really good for us," Creighton said. "They're two potent weapons."
Defensively, the Eagles recorded six tackles for loss against LIU, but the Sharks countered with creativity, including multiple quarterbacks and unexpected wrinkles.
"They were really creative and did a good job keeping us off balance," Creighton said. "Their starter led them in rushing and passing, then quarterbacks made big plays catching the ball. They used a lot of different looks."
Creighton acknowledged that adversity has hit early, from injuries to key leaders to an 0-2 start. Four of the team's six captains are sidelined, and the Eagles have 12 first-time starters, tied for the national lead with Navy.
"There's real-life hard stuff in football," Creighton said. "We lost some guys for the season. We lost our opener. But you have to battle through it. Whether you're 2-0 or 0-2, you're still in the same spot on the climb. You're not where you're going to end up."
The climb, as Creighton often frames it, is toward a Mid-American Conference championship. The Eagles open MAC play in two weeks, but before then, they face a Kentucky program led by longtime coach Mark Stoops.
"Lots of respect," Creighton said. "He's built it his way, and they're a really good football program. Their offensive line is experienced and massive, their backs are productive, and they've got speed at receiver. It's going to start with trying to stymie their run game."
Saturday's matchup will carry personal ties for some on the EMU sideline. Former quarterback Mike Glass is on staff, while players and staffers with Kentucky roots will return home.
"It's a big deal," Creighton said. "It's SEC football, a great venue, and a great opportunity for our program."
Kickoff between Eastern Michigan and Kentucky is set for Saturday night in Lexington.
Segment 2 -Abby Parsons
Freshman defender Abby Parsons has only been on Eastern Michigan's campus for a few weeks, but she already feels at home.
"Eastern has been a really good experience," Parsons said. "My teammates have done such a good job making us freshmen feel comfortable, like family. It doesn't even feel like we're new."
The Kentucky native is part of a large freshman class, nine players in all. That number has even shaped road trips, where bus seating turns into a rotating system.
"One freshman doesn't get to sit with anyone, so we rotate," Parsons said. "But I don't have complaints. We talk, do homework, or watch movies. Even on an eight-hour drive, we're laughing the whole way."
Parsons' path to Ypsilanti started with a strong first impression from the coaching staff. She recalled her visit with head coach Scott Hall and assistants Taylor, Matt, and Mary, who devoted an entire day to showing her around campus.
"They made me feel special," Parsons said. "Even before I committed, they made me feel like I belonged here."
She chose Eastern not only for soccer, but also academics. A chemistry major, Parsons credits her high school teachers for sparking her interest.
"I had the best chemistry teacher, then took AP Chemistry my senior year and loved it," she said. "Every career I'm considering involves chemistry in some way."
On the field, Parsons embraces her role in the back line. While she played attacking midfield in high school, she has quickly adapted to defense at the college level.
"I love defense because I like being the savior," Parsons said. "If someone gets beat, I want to be the one there. But I still find myself pushing forward and attacking when I get the chance."
Sports run in Parsons' family. Her sister and cousin both competed in track, which led her to add pole vaulting to her schedule in high school. Though she came up short of breaking her sister's record, she said the experience shaped her.
"Playing different sports made me a better athlete," Parsons said. "It pushed me to compete and use different muscles."
Living in the Village residence hall has also helped Parsons connect with fellow athletes. She rooms with other soccer players, while two track athletes share the suite.
"Our whole block is athletes," Parsons said. "It's been so fun meeting people from other teams. The track girls have been great roommates."
Off the field, Parsons enjoys doing nails, a hobby that grew into a side business in high school. She also took AP Art and considers herself creative.
Looking ahead, Parsons hopes to grow into a leadership role over the next four years.
"I want to be a role model, like Hannah Thompson is for us," she said. "When I'm a senior, I want the younger girls to look up to me."
For now, Parsons is focused on adjusting to college soccer and academics, grateful for the support she has already found.
"I love everybody here so far," she said. "It's a clean slate, and it feels like the perfect place for me."
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Greg Steiner and Elena Davis opened the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE by pointing the focus toward Kentucky, where Eastern Michigan football will meet the Wildcats in their third all-time matchup. Before looking ahead, they broke down a busy week across EMU athletics. Women's soccer fell on the road at DePaul in a penalty kick finish but returns home Thursday at Scicluna Field. That same afternoon, Rynearson Stadium will host Field Day, part of Homecoming week activities, where fans can take part in games like tug of war, three-legged races, potato sack runs, and water balloon tosses. Davis shared her excitement for the event, while the two joked about childhood favorites like egg races and Nickelodeon-style slime.
The show also spotlighted Saturday's official watch party at Aubree's Pizzeria and Grill in Depot Town for fans to gather while EMU football plays on the road. The conversation shifted back to the football team's home opener, where Long Island spoiled Chris Creighton's squad's first game in Ypsilanti. The Eagles struggled to generate defensive stops and never led, although a late touchdown narrowed the final score. Looking ahead to Kentucky, Steiner and Davis noted the Wildcats' experienced quarterback, their two-strong running back rotation, and the difficulty of a schedule that already featured Toledo and Ole Miss, with SEC powers still ahead.
Other EMU sports were highlighted as well. Volleyball improved to 5-2 after sweeping their home tournament and now heads to Oakland University for a weekend slate against Xavier, Southern Illinois, and the host Golden Grizzlies. Both golf programs opened play, with women's golf surging to a massive early lead in Statesboro, sitting nearly 10 strokes under par and well ahead of the field.
Segment 1 - Chris Creighton
Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton did not sugarcoat his team's position as it prepares for a road trip to Kentucky this weekend.
"We were behind the whole game," Creighton said of Saturday's 28-21 home loss to LIU. "We brought that on our own. We had the ball first and weren't able to score, and then they did. They had the lead for the entire game."
The setback, which left EMU at 0-2, followed a similar pattern to the opener at Texas State. The Eagles struggled to sustain drives and often found themselves playing from behind. Creighton pointed to early execution as the key.
"For us, it comes down to first-down success," he said. "When your first-down productivity puts you in second-and-long, it makes it tougher. You've got to keep people off balance with play action, RPOs, different looks. At times we've been really good at that, but when we stall, it's usually because we're not winning first down."
The running back duo of Dontae McMillan and Tavierre Dunlap has been one bright spot. McMillan's burst in open space and ability as a pass catcher give the offense versatility, while Dunlap has added steady production.
"Having both those guys on the field at the same time has been really good for us," Creighton said. "They're two potent weapons."
Defensively, the Eagles recorded six tackles for loss against LIU, but the Sharks countered with creativity, including multiple quarterbacks and unexpected wrinkles.
"They were really creative and did a good job keeping us off balance," Creighton said. "Their starter led them in rushing and passing, then quarterbacks made big plays catching the ball. They used a lot of different looks."
Creighton acknowledged that adversity has hit early, from injuries to key leaders to an 0-2 start. Four of the team's six captains are sidelined, and the Eagles have 12 first-time starters, tied for the national lead with Navy.
"There's real-life hard stuff in football," Creighton said. "We lost some guys for the season. We lost our opener. But you have to battle through it. Whether you're 2-0 or 0-2, you're still in the same spot on the climb. You're not where you're going to end up."
The climb, as Creighton often frames it, is toward a Mid-American Conference championship. The Eagles open MAC play in two weeks, but before then, they face a Kentucky program led by longtime coach Mark Stoops.
"Lots of respect," Creighton said. "He's built it his way, and they're a really good football program. Their offensive line is experienced and massive, their backs are productive, and they've got speed at receiver. It's going to start with trying to stymie their run game."
Saturday's matchup will carry personal ties for some on the EMU sideline. Former quarterback Mike Glass is on staff, while players and staffers with Kentucky roots will return home.
"It's a big deal," Creighton said. "It's SEC football, a great venue, and a great opportunity for our program."
Kickoff between Eastern Michigan and Kentucky is set for Saturday night in Lexington.
Segment 2 -Abby Parsons
Freshman defender Abby Parsons has only been on Eastern Michigan's campus for a few weeks, but she already feels at home.
"Eastern has been a really good experience," Parsons said. "My teammates have done such a good job making us freshmen feel comfortable, like family. It doesn't even feel like we're new."
The Kentucky native is part of a large freshman class, nine players in all. That number has even shaped road trips, where bus seating turns into a rotating system.
"One freshman doesn't get to sit with anyone, so we rotate," Parsons said. "But I don't have complaints. We talk, do homework, or watch movies. Even on an eight-hour drive, we're laughing the whole way."
Parsons' path to Ypsilanti started with a strong first impression from the coaching staff. She recalled her visit with head coach Scott Hall and assistants Taylor, Matt, and Mary, who devoted an entire day to showing her around campus.
"They made me feel special," Parsons said. "Even before I committed, they made me feel like I belonged here."
She chose Eastern not only for soccer, but also academics. A chemistry major, Parsons credits her high school teachers for sparking her interest.
"I had the best chemistry teacher, then took AP Chemistry my senior year and loved it," she said. "Every career I'm considering involves chemistry in some way."
On the field, Parsons embraces her role in the back line. While she played attacking midfield in high school, she has quickly adapted to defense at the college level.
"I love defense because I like being the savior," Parsons said. "If someone gets beat, I want to be the one there. But I still find myself pushing forward and attacking when I get the chance."
Sports run in Parsons' family. Her sister and cousin both competed in track, which led her to add pole vaulting to her schedule in high school. Though she came up short of breaking her sister's record, she said the experience shaped her.
"Playing different sports made me a better athlete," Parsons said. "It pushed me to compete and use different muscles."
Living in the Village residence hall has also helped Parsons connect with fellow athletes. She rooms with other soccer players, while two track athletes share the suite.
"Our whole block is athletes," Parsons said. "It's been so fun meeting people from other teams. The track girls have been great roommates."
Off the field, Parsons enjoys doing nails, a hobby that grew into a side business in high school. She also took AP Art and considers herself creative.
Looking ahead, Parsons hopes to grow into a leadership role over the next four years.
"I want to be a role model, like Hannah Thompson is for us," she said. "When I'm a senior, I want the younger girls to look up to me."
For now, Parsons is focused on adjusting to college soccer and academics, grateful for the support she has already found.
"I love everybody here so far," she said. "It's a clean slate, and it feels like the perfect place for me."
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
D
/ Soccer
MF
/ Soccer2025 Football Week 3 Hype vs. Kentucky
Saturday, September 13
Eastern in 60 Seconds Part 3
Tuesday, September 09
Season 8 - Episode 3: Setbacks, Fresh Faces, and SEC Challenge
Tuesday, September 09
EMU Football Pregame Press Conference: Week 3 vs. Kentucky
Monday, September 08