2002 Statistics

written by Dave Bagchi

The Eagles were one of the stronger offensive teams in the 2002 Mid-American Conference, averaging 361 yards a game and scoring 24 points per contest. From that unit, the Eagles may have lost but three pertinent players, although they were team leaders and the most productive three players on game day: starting QB Troy Edwards, starting RB Ime Akpan and leading WR Kevin Walter. Coach Jeff Woodruff is looking for a leader or two, and it's first-come, first-serve.

The battle will begin at quarterback with a free-for-all competition between seniors Jeff Crooks and Chinedu Okoro, and redshirt-freshman Eric Deslauriers. Crooks, a JUCO transfer, has been with the Eagles for two injury-riddled seasons. His 29 passes in 2002 are the most among the returnees, and the early word is that he is fully healthy for 2003. Okoro has never played in an actual game during his three seasons but has had strong spring game performances the past two years. Both are classic drop-back passers with limited mobility. Considering EMU's spread formations and necessity for a mobile quarterback, the more athletic Deslauriers could steal the starting spot come September. There is no word on who will win the starting job, but coaches are leaning towards Crooks. Expect a short-leash on whoever takes the role.

Running back will be a clone-like quartet of players led by senior Ashantti Watson. As the team primarily runs a one-back offensive set, the Eagles employ four small-sized rotating backs. Watson, and sophomores Nelson Drew, Anthony Sherrell and Kaliym Hazel, are all under 5'9 and focus on shiftiness and quickness more than strength in their running style. Watson is the expected starter. But interestingly, when Akpan was sidelined with an injury against Ball State, the coaches turned to Sherrell. Considering the spring-ball struggles of this group, this competition won't be decided until well into fall.

Departed WR Kevin Walter will be difficult to replace. The Eagles deploy three- (and sometimes four-) receiver sets, therefore expect Robertson and Talley to be joined by junior college transfer Mark Mathieu. It is unclear at this point who else will step up to provide any depth. However, returning senior TE Kevin Zureki (28 catches) will certainly provide one more weapon. Coming off a terrible season-ending injury, Zureki sat out spring drills, but is expected to be ready by season's start. Sophomore Wes Kesner and Adam Jacobs also look to contribute, and will.

Most of EMU's returning depth will be in the trenches. The offensive line battled injuries throughout 2002, but in the process gained 2003's returning players valuable playing time. The unit is slightly under-sized, but their superior athletic ability will be crucial in the Eagles' wide-open passing attack. In total, three seniors and two juniors will get the start. Look for back-up 333-pounder Maurice Lewis to make a move at one of the guard spots. Lewis won the coach's team award for backup offensive player of the year in 2002.

TE Kevin Zureki

written by Dave Bagchi

The 2002 Eagles had the nation's worst defense. They allowed an unmatched 47 points and 520 yards per game. Coach Woodruff has hired new defensive coordinator, Tim Rose, to revamp the unit. Despite returning all of last year's starters, expect wholesale changes and free-for-all competition from the Eagles on the defensive side of the ball in 2003. No job is safe and no position is ever final - players continually move around to fill vacancies caused by injury and/or poor play.

One expected constant should be senior LB David Lusky, who finished second in the conference(!) in tackles with 12 per game. Lusky gives the Eagles a solid defensive team leader around which to build. Juniors Kevin Harrison and Keyvon Barbee, who will flank Lusky in the middle, are by no means fixtures and will face stiff competition from a group of backups (lead by Steven Bednarik's 39 tackles, and also John Wester). Backup FS Rontrell Woodruff (51 tackles) is expected to compete - he moved into the LB rotation this spring. Rose will put the best players on the field and is considering changing from the 4-3 defensive formation currently deployed to the five DB 4-2-5, depending upon the fall play of Woodruff.

The defensive front returns all four starters, but obviously this is not necessarily good news (10 sacks while allowing over six yards per rush). On paper, the foursome will be Jason Robert and Brian Jenkins at tackle, joined outside by DEs Matt Lisek and Matt Kudu. Juniors Eric Pettway and Nick Suszan could replace the returnees. Spring practices did not lead to any clear changes but the coaches may consider a youth movement. Of the Eagles' 8 deep along the front, six are upperclassmen. Expect Rose to wipe the slate clean and even seek help from the new recruiting class - DTs Kyle Westman and Khalid Walton have been making noise.

If competition is the name of the game, then defensive back will be no different. In this battle-royale at cornerback between six players, junior Michael Woods and Steven Lewis have the early nod. The Eagles only intercepted four passes in route to an overall minus-22 TO-margin. Coaches are excited about sophomore DB Yves Dieudonne, who (at 6'0) would provide a stronger match against some of the taller receivers in the MAC. Dieudonne is also a playmaker. The safety spots will see returning starters Jamie Manor and the team's third-leading tackler from a year ago, junior Jerry Gaines. Backups Nate Brooks (moved from CB) and Corey Parker will compete. Expect Gaines' job to be secure, meaning Manor will be the first to get any hook for marginal play.

LB David Lusky