Eagles look to end losing streak, play Temple after two weeks off
The Eastern Michigan football team hasn?t played since Nov. 1 when it lost, 31-10, to Western Michigan, but the Eagles will try to end a four-game losing streak at 1 p.m. Saturday at Temple in Philadelphia.
The Eagles (2-8, 1-5 Mid-American Conference) will play Temple (3-7, 2-4) for the first time since Sept. 23, 2000, when they lost 49-40. EMU is 0-3 against Temple, which joined the MAC in 2007.
?It?s like the season?s over, and we get to start a new one," EMU wide receiver Tyler Jones said. "I?m excited we?ve got two games left.?
Coach Jeff Genyk said he hopes his team is able to get off to a quick start following the layoff.
?I think probably both sides [offense and defense] are affected by this much of a layoff,? Genyk said at Wednesday?s practice. ?We?ve probably done everything in our power to ensure we?ve practiced at a high level, but we?ll certainly find out here in a few days.?
He said the extra-practice time gave the team a chance to work on fundamentals and get healthy again. Even quarterback Andy Schmitt, who hadn?t practiced in awhile because of a left-shoulder injury, returned to practice.
?I?m just ready to get going,? Schmitt said. ?I?m real anxious to get back on the field.?
The Eagles return some usual starters from injuries, including linebacker Andre? Hatchett and defensive back Arrington Hicks. Genyk said, ?More experienced players should lead to better defense.?
Said running back Corey Welch: ?It was a great time to recover from any injuries we had, but when it comes down to it, you just want to play every week.?
However, not everyone made it through the bye weeks unscathed. Punter Zach Johnson will be out for the season after aggravating a pulled quadricep that kept him out of several games this season.
Replacing him will be Patrick Treppa, who played throughout the season, most recently at Western Michigan. He is averaging 33.4 yards on 14 punts.
Offensively, the Eagles will have to use running backs Terrence Blevins and Dwayne Priest to get past the Temple front line, which has caught the attention of EMU?s players and coaches.
?We have to be able to control them up front and convert in the passing game,? Schmitt said. ?They have a real good front four, probably the better ones we?ve seen all year.?
Temple?s defense has forced at least two turnovers in every game and is anchored by tackles Terrance Knighton (49 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks) and Andre Neblett (35 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks). The defense has 25 turnovers, but does allow 377.3 yards per game. Five of Temple?s seven loses have been by six points or fewer.
?Temple has got a very good defensive line and defensive front so it?s going to be a challenge for us to move the ball,? Genyk said. ?We have to establish run and eventually throw the ball down the field.?
Temple quarterback Adam DiMichele has thrown for 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Owls average 92.7 rushing yards.
Genyk said he noticed DiMichele holds onto ball and will take a sack before throwing into coverage. DiMichele has been sacked 14 times in the seven games.
One factor in stopping DiMichele will be the pressure forced by linebackers Hatchett, Daniel Holtzclaw and Spenser Smith.
Holtzclaw will get an opportunity to pass Scott Russell for second place all-time in tackles at EMU. Holtzclaw has 416; Russell had 423 from 1998-01. Reese McCaskill (1992-95) has the record with 450.
The Eastern Michigan football team hasn?t played since Nov. 1 when it lost, 31-10, to Western Michigan, but the Eagles will try to end a four-game losing streak at 1 p.m. Saturday at Temple in Philadelphia.
The Eagles (2-8, 1-5 Mid-American Conference) will play Temple (3-7, 2-4) for the first time since Sept. 23, 2000, when they lost 49-40. EMU is 0-3 against Temple, which joined the MAC in 2007.
?It?s like the season?s over, and we get to start a new one," EMU wide receiver Tyler Jones said. "I?m excited we?ve got two games left.?
Coach Jeff Genyk said he hopes his team is able to get off to a quick start following the layoff.
?I think probably both sides [offense and defense] are affected by this much of a layoff,? Genyk said at Wednesday?s practice. ?We?ve probably done everything in our power to ensure we?ve practiced at a high level, but we?ll certainly find out here in a few days.?
He said the extra-practice time gave the team a chance to work on fundamentals and get healthy again. Even quarterback Andy Schmitt, who hadn?t practiced in awhile because of a left-shoulder injury, returned to practice.
?I?m just ready to get going,? Schmitt said. ?I?m real anxious to get back on the field.?
The Eagles return some usual starters from injuries, including linebacker Andre? Hatchett and defensive back Arrington Hicks. Genyk said, ?More experienced players should lead to better defense.?
Said running back Corey Welch: ?It was a great time to recover from any injuries we had, but when it comes down to it, you just want to play every week.?
However, not everyone made it through the bye weeks unscathed. Punter Zach Johnson will be out for the season after aggravating a pulled quadricep that kept him out of several games this season.
Replacing him will be Patrick Treppa, who played throughout the season, most recently at Western Michigan. He is averaging 33.4 yards on 14 punts.
Offensively, the Eagles will have to use running backs Terrence Blevins and Dwayne Priest to get past the Temple front line, which has caught the attention of EMU?s players and coaches.
?We have to be able to control them up front and convert in the passing game,? Schmitt said. ?They have a real good front four, probably the better ones we?ve seen all year.?
Temple?s defense has forced at least two turnovers in every game and is anchored by tackles Terrance Knighton (49 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks) and Andre Neblett (35 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks). The defense has 25 turnovers, but does allow 377.3 yards per game. Five of Temple?s seven loses have been by six points or fewer.
?Temple has got a very good defensive line and defensive front so it?s going to be a challenge for us to move the ball,? Genyk said. ?We have to establish run and eventually throw the ball down the field.?
Temple quarterback Adam DiMichele has thrown for 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Owls average 92.7 rushing yards.
Genyk said he noticed DiMichele holds onto ball and will take a sack before throwing into coverage. DiMichele has been sacked 14 times in the seven games.
One factor in stopping DiMichele will be the pressure forced by linebackers Hatchett, Daniel Holtzclaw and Spenser Smith.
Holtzclaw will get an opportunity to pass Scott Russell for second place all-time in tackles at EMU. Holtzclaw has 416; Russell had 423 from 1998-01. Reese McCaskill (1992-95) has the record with 450.
