Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan in Pictures

This is my sixth season photographing Eastern Michigan football. My camera has witnessed many ups and downs. Unfortunately, it seemed like there were more downs than ups. Despite the many losses, I’ve seen many victories that were thrilling. I’ve seen a few thrilling Eastern Michigan victories prior to shooting from the field but the first the rings out in my mind from the field was in 2011 when I traveled up to Mount Pleasant to watch Eastern Michigan defeat the Chippewas. Then I got to see another as Eastern Michigan defeated Western Michigan at home after a nice goal line stand.

Victories were sparse the next season and the season after that. But in 2013, the day after the Eagles unceremoniously dumped Ron English, interim head coach Stan Parrish would lead the Eagles to a victory over Western Michigan in a thrilling overtime finish. In December of that year, Coach Creighton is introduced at a basketball game and I had a feeling.

The next two season would be dreadful. There were two wins in 2014 and only one win in 2015. Despite the bleakness of the 2014, I saw something in the Eagles. Maybe a glimmer of hope in those losses.

Spring ahead to the beginning of this season and I made a bold prediction of the Eagles finishing 6 and 6. I really had no basis for that prediction other than a gut feeling but it turns out I was wrong...in the right way. The Eagles actually exceeded my expectations. Despite the setbacks of the Miami and Northern Illinois games, I had a feeling about last night’s game. And it turns out that I was right. I hoping with the bowl game that this is the beginning of brighter days for my Eagles.

Enjoy the pictures from last night’s victory. And to the team and fans that have struggled this past five years, enjoy this moment.

Grid View

• Corey Willis eludes an Eastern Michigan defender after a catch.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Blake Banham during a run Kenneth Bailey
• Blake Banham scoring the opening touchdown
  Kenneth Bailey
• Amari Coleman after getting an interception.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Cooper Rush setting up to pass
  Kenneth Bailey
• Eddie Daugherty during a run
  Kenneth Bailey
• Brogan Roback during one of his runs
  Kenneth Bailey
• Dieuly Aristilde catching the second Eastern Michigan touchdown.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Corey Willis not eluding an Eastern Michigan defender. Kenneth Bailey
• Corey Willis trying to find paydirt.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Devon Spalding cutting the Eastern lead to 7. Kenneth Bailey
• Antoine Porter after a catch.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Dieuly Aristilde trying to catch a pass. Kenneth Bailey
• Nigel Kilby trying to elude a tackler. Kenneth Bailey
• Brogan Roback setting up to pass.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Blake Banham during a run.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Sergio Bailey II during a run after a catch.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Blake Banham catching the ball. Kenneth Bailey
• Paul Fricano kicking a field goal
  Kenneth Bailey
• And Blake Banham again
  Kenneth Bailey
• Paul Fricano making it 20-7 Eastern Michigan.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Pass broken up
  Kenneth Bailey
• Devon Spalding cuts the Eastern lead to 7.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Nice tackle!
  Kenneth Bailey
• Johnathon Ward during a run.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Devon Spalding ties it up at 20-20.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Brian Eavey gives Centeral Michigan the 1 point lead.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Sergio Bailey II hauls in the Brogan Roback pass to give Eastern Michigan the lead Kenneth Bailey
• Celebrating that touchdown!
  Kenneth Bailey
• The Jeremiah Harris interception seals the deal.
  Kenneth Bailey
• Eagle Nation celebrates! Kenneth Bailey
• The face of victory!
  Kenneth Bailey