Eastern Michigan wins football opener, 41-9, over Howard
It came a day later than planned, but the influx of new defensive players still made an immediate impact on the Eastern Michigan football team.
The Eagles beat Howard 41-9 Sunday at Rynearson Stadium in a game that was postponed from Saturday night because of severe weather.
With the gates open for the rescheduled noon kickoff, those in attendance got a free glimpse of the famous Howard marching band, a new-look EMU defense and the Eagles celebrating their first home victory since 2008.
Justin Cudworth, above, had 13 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in his Eastern Michigan debut.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
The Eagles' last home win at Rynearson Stadium was a 56-52 victory over Central Michigan in the 2008 season finale, the final game of former coach Jeff Genyk’s tenure.
The third season for current coach Ron English started off a little rocky, but the former Michigan defensive coordinator saw some new playmakers on the defensive side of the ball.
Junior college transfers Justin Cudworth (13) and Blake Poole (7) led the team in tackles from their linebacker spots. Cudworth added a sack and a forced fumble.
“I’ve been saying all along that Cudworth is a good football player," English said in his postgame press conference. "We really developed that (weak-side linebacker) position for a player just like Justin Cudworth. He’s athletic. He can tackle. He’s physical. And he’s going to get smarter and smarter. I’m really excited about Justin.”
In the secondary, Marlon Pollard, a transfer from UCLA, made an interception, and Latarrius Thomas, a transfer from Louisville who missed most of last season with an injury, recorded six tackles.
Howard, a Football Championship Subdivision team that went 1-10 last season and was playing its first game for new coach Gary Harrell, isn’t the toughest test the Eagles will face this season. But Eastern Michigan did limit the Bison to 201 total yards, 250 less than teams averaged against the Eagles last season.
“We’ve added some pieces, I think that helped,” English said. “I want us to rush the passer better out of a four-man rush, but we’ve added some perimeter guys that can run around and make some plays.”
After a slow start, the Eagles’ offense eventually found some traction.
Kody Fulkerson made two field goals, the second pulling Eastern Michigan within 9-6 of Howard early in the second quarter before the Eagles rattled off five unanswered touchdowns.
The first pass that quarterback Alex Gillett threw was intercepted by Julien David and returned for a Howard touchdown. From that point, Gillett completed 12 of 20 attempts for 115 yards and touchdowns to Joe Fleming and Garrett Hoskins.
"I don’t think we threw the ball very well at all, and that had not been what we showed at camp," English said. "I think we’ll settle down and throw the ball better."
Dominique Sherrer and Javonti Greene, who battled this fall to become the Eastern Michigan starting tailback, were identical in their production on Sunday. Each gained 120 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts.
Sherrer’s 77-yard touchdown on the second play of the second half put Eastern Michigan ahead 34-9.
Gillett also rushed 13 times for 76 yards and another score.
Terrance Leffall led the Bison with 53 rushing yards and freshman quarterback Greg McGhee was 15 of 27 for 105 yards.
Comments
15crown00
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 5:32 p.m.
Congratulations to the EMU Hurons.hopefully things are beginning to turn around.
joe golder
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.
EMU football on the rise? I believe it is! Ron English is his name and football is his game! Great times are ahead for EMU. One game at a time guys.
Lac Court Orilles
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 10:42 a.m.
Any update on #7 Blake Poole? He was injured and on crutches later in the game. Too bad a quality defensive player like this may end up not playing. Eastern needs all of their new quality defensive players.
Likearock
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.
#7 is Pudge Cotton, the freshman safety. Poole is #36.
Jim Pryce
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 4:40 a.m.
Finally EMU is playing against schools of the same caliber. I wish they would play Grand Valley, Adrian College, Alma. They just are not good enough to play the bigger schools.
Cash
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
Now, the game! Congrats to Ron and his whole staff, who have remained positive and continued to work on improvements. Great game! I hope this is a sign of things to come! Go Eagles!!
Cash
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 12:01 a.m.
The ad has been changed. Thank you AnnArbor.com. Classy move.
Ed Kimball
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 12:40 p.m.
I think the ads must be somewhat random, because it's there now.
Cash
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 9:17 p.m.
Isn't it a shame that I finally get to read a positive article about EMU's football team on the front page.... and about the game and blended along side is an ad for the "finest tight ends in Ypsi" for the topless club? Very disgusting AnnArbor.com. Quite disrespectful to the readers.
lumberg48108
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 12:36 a.m.
how about a total lack of respect for EMU sports - continued ... staff reports? no byline? the pic is a file photo so there was no photagrapher at the game-- and since the game was sunday there was NO reason this game could not be covered better... just typical .com self-fulfilling prophecy -- how can anyone care about EMU football when the press doesn't?
Cash
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 12:08 a.m.
johnnya2, I don't understand the rudeness. I did not complain about another PERSON, I complained about an ad. Big difference. And AnnArbor.com moved it. I don't think you need to "get over yourself". I think you might, however, want to learn to respectfully disagree.
Cash
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 12:04 a.m.
Assuming by your names you are males...I found it offensive as a mom and don't like kids reading this article after the game seeing that. My opinion in this case is one a lot of moms and grandmothers would share.
Nave
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 11:16 p.m.
Try using AdBlock, then you won't seen any advertisements!
A2Woman
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.
I agree, Cash. They could have used that advertising space for something else. Pics of the excited student body during the game, or of the students running onto the field after the game. Go Eagles!