The Eastern Michigan Eagles will open up the season against the Old Dominion Monarchs at home to begin their 2015 campaign. The Eagles finished 2-10 last season and look to not only rebound from having another depressed season like that, but to come back from their 17-3 loss last year in Norfolk, Virginia.
With quarterback Reggie Bell coming back to lead the offense and stud linebacker Great Ibe to hopefully help and improve this defense, EMU is looking for a turnaround season (for the n'th time) starting with a season-opening win. However, the program will instantly be surrounded with pessimism if the Eagles should lose to ODU: and that would just fulfill the social standard of what EMU football is, was and always will be. Or they could just win and avoid all of that drama.
Quick Game Info
Game time, date: This game is on Saturday 5, 2015; kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 pm (EST).
Location: The two will meet up at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan where the Eagles play all of their home football contests.
TV: Through ESPN3, this game will be syndicated on television on WXYZ's Bounce TV affiliate in Detroit (Comcast 296, Charter 437, Brighthouse 127, and WOW! 101).
Radio: WEMU (89.1 FM). Click here to listen online.
Online streaming: ESPN3. Click here to watch.
Players to Watch
Reggie Bell (QB, EMU)- One of the few quarterbacks in America last year to lead his team in both passing and rushing. Bell has earned the respect across the MAC as a legitimate dual-threat quarterback and a possible breakout player this year.
Shaq Vann (RB, EMU)- Red-shirted last season, Vann is listed as the no. 2 running back on the depth chart. We'll find out what his role will be in the running game soon enough.
Cody Tuttle (TE, EMU)- Will Tuttle be the big receiving threat that fans are hoping for? He's a big target for Bell to throw to and should be a huge boost in the Eagles' passing game.
Jason Beck (SS, EMU)- One of two players to not wear a redshirt his first year on campus last season. Beck was an impressive safety last year and should be a key part in the secondary yet again.
Ray Lawry (RB, ODU)- The C-USA Freshman of the year, Lawry rushed for 947 yards with 16 touchdowns just last year for the Monarchs, and it's not like EMU had a good rushing defense last year. Stopping the run is going to be key for them all season long, so it's a good idea to see how they'll look in the first game of the season.
Fellonte Misher (SS, ODU)- The senior started every game his sophomore and junior seasons and recorded 79 tackles with two interceptions last year. He's probably the best returning athlete on the Monarchs' defense.