Seniors' last dance
Ashley Williamson
CMU (2-6 overall, 1-5 in the Mid-American Conference) is currently riding a four game losing streak. While EMU (2-6 overall and 0-3 MAC) is coming off from a 40-17 loss to Northern Illinois Saturday.
The Eagles are led by their defense. Eastern, holds opponents to 340.6 yards per game (159.9 pass ypg, 180.8 rush ypg).
“They have a highly ranked defense, they like to blitz a lot,” said CMU Head Coach Mike DeBord. “They have a nice blitz package, sometimes you can see the blitz coming, other times you can’t tell.”
While the Eastern offense is young. EMU starts a true freshmen at quarterback in Kainoa Akina, and at tailback in C.R. Robinson.
“They have struggled offensively. They are very young, and they are not executing and turning the ball over too much,” DeBord said.
The Chippewas will be without quarterback Derrick Vickers.
“Vickers will be out again this week, he should start practicing earlier next week,” DeBord said.
Vickers is out with swelling and deep bruises in his shin.
Derek Gorney will get his second straight start.
“He started off slow, he wasn’t completing passes in the early part of the game. But once he got in rhythm he was very solid,” DeBord said.
Against Ball State Gorney threw 50 times for a new CMU pass attempts record and 279 yards.
While Terrence Jackson ran for 199 yards on 32 carries, his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game.
“The blockers in front of him are getting off the line very well, but he also is running very well,” DeBord said.
CMU leads the all-time series 49-23-6. After Eastern, the Chippewas travel to Western to face the Broncos.
“We can’t look ahead, we need every win we can get. We have a lot of respect for Eastern,” DeBord said.
