Eastern Michigan fans hold out hope that coach Ron English can turn program around despite loss to UM
Few picked the Eastern Michigan University Eagles to pull off an upset against the cross-county rival Wolverines. But Eastern fans who attended the game in Ann Arbor said they expected to see their team put up a fight.
Visually, however, Eagles fans appeared to be few and far between at Michigan Stadium - seas of green, or red, or white weren't on display as they usually are when the University of Michigan's Big Ten rivals come to town.
The Eagles, led by former UM defensive coordinator Ron English, came into the game wanting to prove their 0-2 record wasn't an accurate reflection of the team's future. Fans who support the English regime said they're taking a wait-and-see attitude as to whether he can reverse Eastern's losing tradition.Â
"We've heard it all before," said Bill Martin, a graduate of the class of 1979 at Eastern, of English's motivational efforts. After his time at Eastern, Martin went on to earn a master's degree in business administration in finance from UM.
Martin wore those divided loyalties on his sleeve, between his Michigan hat and his Eagle-green shirt. Martin didn't expect the Eagles to win - he is a Michigan season ticket holder - but did want the team to show its mettle in a tough environment.
"It's exciting to see the program go somewhere, get some attention," said Pat Lemon, also from the class of '79. "I don't know how many games we'll win, but we are fighting hard."
Sharon De St. Aubin said she had "mixed feelings" about the game. De St. Aubin, who is a nurse at the University Hospital, normally cheers for Michigan but came out to support her son, Josh, who is a volunteer graduate assistant at Eastern. She was at the game with daughter Yvonne Watkins of Ann Arbor. Both wore matching green Eastern sweatshirts.
"I'm not disappointed (with Eastern's season so far),"Â De St. Aubin said. "As long as we keep holding our own, I'm proud of the team."
That's exactly what happened, at least in the first half. Several Eastern fans expressed confidence that senior quarterback Andy Schmitt would put on a strong performance.
Schmitt didn't disappoint. He led the team to 17 first-half points, including an 11-yard quarterback scramble in the second quarter to tie the game at 10.
But Schmitt went down clutching his knee in the second half and didn't return. Michigan held the Eagles scoreless from there, with freshman quarterback Alex Gillett stepping in to replace the senior. Michigan won 45-17.
The second half of the game gave fans a preview of how the Eagles' continuing rebuilding process could go without a veteran signal-caller to move the chains.
"I don't think six, seven wins is unrealistic," said Eastern alumnus George Stringer of Clarkston, who graduated in 1972. Before Schmitt went down, Stringer predicted that Eastern would make it to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl - formerly known as the Motor City Bowl - at Ford Field.
But even without Schmitt, some Eastern fans believed that the program would improve under coach English.Â
"Hopefully he can bring some of that winning tradition (from U-M) down the road to Eastern," said Anthony Petrucci, an Eastern student from Northville, "[English] knows how to win. Now it's the time to show it."
James David Dickson reports on human interest stories for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at JamesDickson@AnnArbor.com, or on Twitter at Twitter.com/JamesDDickson.
Comments
The Grinch
Sun, Sep 20, 2009 : 9:48 a.m.
What a strange and uncivil comment above. I went to the Army-EMU game (I'm an USMA alum) and saw a competitive if poorly played game. Neither team was very impressive, and I thought both would be lucky to win many games without substantial improvement. But, yesterday, Army beast what is supposed to be a pretty good Ball State team. And, more to the point, I was amazed by the difference in the EMU team when compared to two weeks ago. They gave the U a good game for most of three quarters and had a running game that was AWOL against Army. That, and the game they played against Northwestern last week, bodes well, I think, for EMU. I bleed Maize and Blue, and I am quite happy with yesterday's outcome. But I wish Coach English and his team well. I hope EMU give him the time necessary to turn the program around.
DCTenor1
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 : 4:59 p.m.
The top picture is wonderful because, though the meat-headed Easterners hog the forefront, just beside them is a diminutive Wolverine (who clearly uses his brain more than his muscles) who is, at that moment, plotting their demise. GO BLUE!