2009 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team

This article's lead section may be too long. Please read the length guidelines and help move details into the article's body. (December 2014)

2009 Eastern Michigan Eagles football
Conference	Mid-American Conference
Division	West
Record	0–12 (0–8 MAC)
Head coach	Ron English
Offensive coordinator	Ken Karcher
Defensive coordinator	Eric Lewis
Home stadium	Rynearson Stadium
Seasons ← 2008 2010 →

2009 Mid-American Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
East Division
Ohio xy		7	–	1					9	–	5
Temple x		7	–	1					9	–	4
Bowling Green		6	–	2					7	–	6
Kent State		4	–	4					5	–	7
Buffalo		3	–	5					5	–	7
Akron		2	–	6					3	–	9
Miami (OH)		1	–	7					1	–	11
West Division
No. 23 Central Michigan x$		8	–	0					12	–	2
Northern Illinois		5	–	3					7	–	6
Western Michigan		4	–	4					5	–	7
Toledo		3	–	5					5	–	7
Ball State		2	–	6					2	–	10
Eastern Michigan		0	–	8					0	–	12
Championship: Central Michigan 20, Ohio 10
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

The 2009 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team represented Eastern Michigan University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Eastern Michigan competed as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division and played their home games in Rynearson Stadium.

Following the firing of Jeff Genyk during the 2008 season, Eastern Michigan hired Ron English, who had formerly been the defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan and the University of Louisville, as the team's head coach.^[1] The coaching change initially brought excitement to the program, as English hired a new staff, including former University of Michigan, New York Giants, and Oakland Raiders running back Tyrone Wheatley, and replaced Genyk's spread offense with a pro-style offense.

However, the change in offense proved difficult for senior quarterback Andy Schmitt, and he was largely ineffective in the first several games of the season.^[2] In the second game of the year, the Eagles traveled to Northwestern, and after trailing 21–0 in the second quarter, they tied the game at 24 with 2 minutes left, before Northwestern kicked a game-winning field goal in the closing seconds. The following week, they had another trip just across the county to play Michigan. Similar to their 2006 game at Michigan State, they played a very competitive first half, only trailing by one score. But like many times before, they couldn't put two good halves together. In the second half, the Eagles were outscored 21–0 and Andy Schmitt suffered a season-ending knee injury.^[2]

The rest of the season they used former starting quarterback Kyle McMahon, and freshman Alex Gillet. Eastern scored no more than 12 points in any of the next three games, including a 56–8 loss at Central Michigan. The week after that, they nearly beat Ball State who was also winless at the time. The difference was a safety in the fourth quarter. Next, they had one more non-conference game as they traveled to Arkansas. This game was the opposite of the Michigan game — bad first half, good second half. They were down 42–0 before eventually losing 63–27. For the rest of the year, they were only close in the finale at Akron, losing by 7. In previous years, Eastern was able to get at least a few wins because of a high scoring offense. Schmitt's injury ended that, and their defense was among the worst in the nation. Eastern gave up 3,321 rushing yards (276.8 per game), more than any other team in the nation,^[3] which was their downfall. They statistically appeared to have one of the best passing defenses, allowing 150.5 passing yards per game, second only to Air Force,^[4] but this was mostly an illusion. Everyone knew they couldn't stop the run, so opponents just didn't call many pass plays.

Eastern finished the season without a win, their first winless season since 1981. The Eagles were one of two winless FBS teams (Western Kentucky was the other).

Recruiting

US college sports recruiting information for 2009 recruits
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Matthew Boyd LB	Southfield, MI	Southfield-Lathrup HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	–	Jan 28, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Melvin Crews DE	Muskegon, MI	Muskegon HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	–	Jan 22, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Devon Davis DE	Columbus, IN	Columbus East HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	–	Aug 13, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 72
Javon Gillespie DB	Washington, DC	Collegiate Academy	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	–	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Alex Gillett QB	Clyde, OH	Clyde HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	183 lb (83 kg)	4.77	Jan 22, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Kelip Goodwin WR	South Haven, MI	South Haven HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	4.49	Jan 25, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Garrett Gronowski DB	Avon, OH	Avon HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	202 lb (92 kg)	–	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Willie Hickman DB	Pahokee, FL	Pahokee HS	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	139 lb (63 kg)	4.4	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Garrett Hoskins TE	Grand Rapids, MI	Creston HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	–	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Delano Johnson DE	Visalia, CA	College of the Sequoias	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	4.65	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Bronley Kashama DE	Brampton, ON	Brampton Centennial SS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	–	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Ryan Leonard DT	Visalia, CA	College of the Sequoias	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	4.9	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Jonte Lewis DB	Visalia, CA	College of the Sequoias	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	–	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Orlando McCord DE	Detroit, MI	King HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	231 lb (105 kg)	4.71	Jan 28, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 67
Darrius Moffett LB	Chicago, IL	Hubbard HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	–	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 72
Andy Mulumba LB	Montreal, PQ	Cegep Du Vieux	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	–	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Nick Olds WR	Columbus, IN	Columbus East HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	–	Jul 23, 2008
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 68
Nate Paopao LB	San Marcos, CA	Palomar	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	–	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Devontae Payne QB	Cleveland, OH	South HS	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	–	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
Stephan Sewell LB	Colorado Springs, CO	USAF Academy Prep	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	252 lb (114 kg)	–	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Andrew Sorgatz OL	Wheaton, IL	Wheaton North HS	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	252 lb (114 kg)	–	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Aaron Tanguma TE	Elsa, TX	Edcouch-Elsa HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	265 lb (120 kg)	–	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Kinsman Thomas WR	Bennettsville, SC	Marlboro County HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	193 lb (88 kg)	4.59	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 72
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 111   Rivals: 104
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Eastern Michigan Commit List for 2009". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 22, 2009. "Football Recruiting: Eastern Michigan". Scout.com. Retrieved August 22, 2009. "Eastern Michigan Football Recruiting 2009". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 22, 2009. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved August 22, 2009. "2009 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 22, 2009.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 5	7:00 p.m.	Army*	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, Michigan		L 14–27	14,499[5]
September 12	11:00 a.m.	at Northwestern*	Ryan Field Evanston, Illinois	BTN	L 24–27	19,239[6]
September 19	12:00 p.m.	at Michigan*	Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, Michigan	BTN	L 17–45	107,903[7]
October 3	1:00 p.m.	Temple	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, Michigan		L 12–24	3,364[8]
October 10	12:00 p.m.	at Central Michigan	Kelly/Shorts Stadium Mount Pleasant, Michigan (rivalry)	ESPN Plus	L 8–56	26,730[9]
October 17	4:00 p.m.	Kent State	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, Michigan		L 6–28	2,401[10]
October 24	1:00 p.m.	Ball State	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, Michigan		L 27–29	1,535[11]
October 31	7:00 p.m.	at Arkansas*	Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, Arkansas	ESPNU	L 27–63	62,501[12]
November 5	6:30 p.m.	at Northern Illinois	Huskie Stadium DeKalb, Illinois	ESPNU	L 6–50	10,527[13]
November 14	1:00 p.m.	Western Michigan	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, Michigan (Michigan MAC Trophy)		L 14–35	3,281[14]
November 20	7:00 p.m.	at Toledo	Glass Bowl Toledo, Ohio		L 21–47	9,967[15]
November 27	2:00 p.m.	at Akron	InfoCision Stadium Akron, Ohio		L 21–28	9,962[16]
*Non-conference game Homecoming All times are in Eastern time

^[17]

Roster

As of 2009-07-15[18]
Wide receivers 1 Kinsman Thomas – freshman 2 Dontayo Gage – senior 9 Tyrone Burke – junior 15 Jacory Stone – senior 18 DeAnthony White – senior 24 Corey Manns – freshman 27 Marvon Sanders – sophomore 28 Brandon Boyle – freshman 80 Nick Olds – freshman 82 Terrance Gourdine – freshman 84 Trey Hunter – sophomore 86 L’Shane Bynum – freshman Offensive line 55 Stephen Johnson – senior 60 Andy Fretz – senior 61 Derek Gotham – sophomore 63 Mark VanDenburgh – freshman 65 Dan DeMaster – junior 68 Korey Neal – freshman 70 Cory Watman – freshman 71 Brian Moore – junior 72 Andrew Sorgatz – freshman 75 Scott MacLeod – freshman 76 Bridger Buche – junior 78 Eric Davis – junior Tight ends 81 Ben Thayer – junior 83 John Bonner – senior 85 Garrett Hoskins – freshman 86 Artie Tanguma – freshman 87 Drew Serruto – sophomore 88 Sonny Paluch – junior 89 Josh LeDuc – junior		Quarterbacks 7 Andy Schmitt – senior 11 Kyle McMahon – junior 12 Jason Williams – sophomore 13 Alex Gillett – freshman 14 Devontae Payne – freshman Running backs 3 Terrence Blevins – senior 22 Dwayne Priest – junior 26 Corey Welch – sophomore 32 Dominique Sherrer – sophomore 35 Joe Fleming – freshman Defensive line 17 Brandon Downs – senior 56 Ryan Leonard – junior 59 Matt Price – freshman 64 Khaled Mheisen – freshman 69 Shawn Sinawe – freshman 90 Javon Reese – sophomore 91 Dan Cordick – junior 92 Ryan Kuhlman – sophomore 93 Brad Ohrman – sophomore 94 Devon Davis – freshman 95 Orlando McCord – freshman 96 Brandon Slater – sophomore 97 Kalven Seilis – freshman 98 Bronly Kashama – freshman 99 Tyler Palsrok – junior		Linebackers 11 Nate Paopao – junior 20 Andre’ Hatchett – senior 25 Jermaine Jenkins – senior 29 Lorenzo Seaberry – senior 40 Neal Howey – junior 42 Marcus English – sophomore 44 Kyle DeMaster – freshman 45 Matt Boyd – freshman 47 Chris Bittner – sophomore 48 James Ervin – freshman 49 Andy Mulumba – freshman 50 Blake Browe – freshman 51 Herb Waits – sophomore 52 Steve Brown – sophomore 57 Tim Fort – junior 67 Marty Newman – freshman Defensive backs 4 Kevin Long – junior 5 Willie Hickman – freshman 6 Marty Cardwell – sophomore 8 Johnny Sears – senior 10 Ryan Downard – junior 14 Brandon Pratt – junior 16 Jonte Lewis – junior 19 Arrington Hicks – junior 21 Garrett Gronowski – freshman 23 Chris May – senior 24 Kelip Goodwin – freshman 24 Tyler Thomas – freshman 28 Nate Wilson – sophomore 31 Marcell Rose – sophomore 34 Jaron Gillespie – freshman 36 Jon Pryor – freshman 37 Mark Mitchell – junior 41 Latarrius Thomas – junior 43 Alex Bellfy – freshman 46 Sterling Vaughn – freshman Punters 39 Patrick Treppa – junior Kickers 33 Zach Johnson – senior 38 Joe Carithers – junior Long snapper 46 Alexander Gudejko – sophomore 53 Mike Zupancic – freshman 58 Matt Bowman – freshman 59 Tyler Cochran – sophomore
† Starter at position     * Injured; will not play in 2009.

Coaching staff

Name	Position	Year at school
Ron English	Head coach	1st
Ken Karcher	Offensive coordinator Quarterbacks coach	1st
Eric Lewis	Defensive coordinator Defensive backs coach	1st
Kurt Anderson	Offensive line coach	2nd
Tom Burpee	Tight ends coach Special teams coach	1st
Antonio Carter	Wide receivers coach	1st
Tim Carter	Defensive backs coach Recruiting coordinator	1st
Casey Creehan	Defensive line coach	1st
Steve Szabo	Associate head coach Linebackers coach	1st
Tyrone Wheatley	Running backs coach	1st

^[19]

Game summaries

Army

	1	2	3	4	Total
Black Knights	6	7	0	14	27
Eagles	0	0	0	14	14

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

• 06:12 ARMY – Mealy 6-yard run (Campbell kick failed) 6–0 ARMY

2nd Quarter

• 05:56 ARMY – Carter 12-yard run (Campbell kick) 13–0 ARMY

3rd Quarter

4th Quarter

• 13:58 EMU – Hunter 20-yard pass from Schmitt (Carithers kick) 13–7 ARMY
• 10:22 ARMY – Ehie 10-yard run (Smith rush) 21–7 ARMY
• 06:53 ARMY – Ehie 5-yard run (Campbell kick failed) 27–7 ARMY
• 03:31 EMU – Priest 1-yard run (Carithers kick) 27–14 ARMY

Northwestern

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	3	7	14	24
Wildcats	7	14	0	6	27

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

• 06:38 NU Simmons 1-yard run (Demos kick) 0–7 NU

2nd Quarter

• 12:33 NU Simmons 14-yard run (Demos kick) 0–14 NU
• 09:08 NU Johnson 70-yard interception return (Demos kick) 0–21 NU
• 03:32 EMU Carithers 33-yard field goal 3–21 NU

3rd Quarter

• 04:33 EMU Priest 1-yard run (Carithers kick) 10–21 NU

4th Quarter

• 12:57 NU Demos 20-yard field goal 10–24 NU
• 09:55 EMU Stone 25-yard pass from Schmitt (Carithers kick) 17–24 NU
• 02:40 EMU Blevins 3-yard run (Carithers kick) 24–24
• 00:06 NU Demos 49-yard field goal 24–27 NU

Michigan

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	3	14	0	0	17
Wolverines	10	14	14	7	45

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

• 10:46 MICH Olesnavage 37-yard field goal 0–3 MICH
• 05:32 EMU Carithers 43-yard field goal 3–3
• 02:30 MICH Brown 9-yard run (Olesnavage kick) 3–10 MICH

2nd Quarter

• 11:16 EMU Schmitt 11-yard run (Carithers kick) 10–10
• 09:20 MICH Shaw 5-yard run (Olesnavage kick) 10–17 MICH
• 07:15 MICH Brown 90-yard run (Olesnavage kick) 10–24 MICH
• 02:05 EMU Priest 5-yard run (Carithers kick) 17–24 MICH

3rd Quarter

• 04:47 MICH Odoms 13-yard run (Olesnavage kick) 17–31 MICH
• 03:06 MICH Robinson 13-yard run (Olesnavage kick) 17–38 MICH

4th Quarter

• 07:14 MICH Robinson 36-yard run (Olesnavage kick) 17–45 MICH

Temple

	1	2	3	4	Total
Owls	14	7	0	3	24
Eagles	0	6	0	6	12

Central Michigan

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	0	0	8	8
Chippewas	14	21	14	7	56

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

• 08:51 CMU Brown 70-yard pass from LeFevour (Aguila kick) 0–7 CMU
• 03:58 CMU LeFevour 1-yard run (Aguila kick) 0–14 CMU

2nd Quarter

• 12:33 CMU LeFevour 1-yard run (Aguila kick) 0–21 CMU
• 02:51 CMU Brown 75-yard punt return (Aguila kick) 0–28 CMU
• 00:18 CMU Schroeder 11-yard pass from LeFevour (Aguila kick) 0–35 CMU

3rd Quarter

• 12:50 CMU Poblah 25-yard pass from LeFevour (Aguila kick) 0–42 CMU
• 01:57 CMU LeFevour 5-yard run (Aguila kick) 0–49 CMU

4th Quarter

• 11:25 EMU Welch 1-yard run (Gillett rush) 8–49 CMU
• 07:36 CMU Volny 3-yard run (Aguila kick) 8–56 CMU

Kent State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Flashes	14	0	7	7	28
Eagles	6	0	0	0	6

Ball State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	6	7	16	0	29
Eagles	7	13	7	0	27

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

• 9:08 EMU Thayer 3-yard pass from McMahon (Carithers kick) 0–7 EMU
• 4:52 BSU Sykes 51-yard run (Schott kick blocked) 6–7 EMU

2nd Quarter

• 10:59 EMU Carithers 20-yard field goal 6–10 EMU
• 9:23 EMU Welch 12-yard run (Carithers kick) 6–17 EMU
• 6:37 EMU Carithers 26-yard field goal 6–20 EMU
• 4:06 BSU Lewis 48-yard run (Schott kick) 13–20 EMU

3rd Quarter

• 10:44 EMU White 10-yard run (Carithers kick) 13–27 EMU
• 6:37 BSU Sykes 6-yard run (Schott kick) 20–27 EMU
• 5:33 BSU Team Safety 22–27 EMU
• 1:47 BSU Sykes 37-yard run (Schott kick) 29–27 BSU

Arkansas

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	0	20	7	27
Razorbacks	21	21	21	0	63

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

• 10:42 AR Davis 36-yard run (Tejada kick) 0–7 AR
• 6:42 AR Green 3-yard run (Tejada kick) 0–14 AR
• 4:02 AR Burton 50-yard interception return (Tejada kick) 0–21 AR

2nd Quarter

• 12:21 AR Adams 10-yard pass from Mallett (Tejada kick) 0–28 AR
• 4:10 AR Green 99-yard run (Tejada kick) 0–35 AR
• 1:38 AR Adams 78-yard pass from Mallet (Tejada kick) 0–42 AR

3rd Quarter

• 12:38 AR Armbrust 1-yard blocked punt return (Tejada kick) 0–49 AR
• 9:30 EMU Thayer 8-yard pass from McMahon (Carithers kick failed) 6–49 AR
• 5:58 EMU Thomas 77-yard pass from McMahon (Carithers kick) 13–49 AR
• 4:30 AR Davis 4-yard run (Tejada kick) 13–56 AR
• 2:50 EMU Bonner 32-yard pass from McMahon (Carithers kick) 20–56 AR
• 0:18 AR Miller 16-yard pass from Mallet (Tejada kick) 20–63 AR

4th Quarter

• 2:14 EMU Priest 10-yard run (Carithers kick) 27–63 AR

Northern Illinois

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	6	0	0	0	6
Huskies	20	17	10	3	50

Western Michigan

	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	7	21	0	7	35
Eagles	7	7	0	0	14

Toledo

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	14	7	0	21
Rockets	3	23	7	14	47

Akron

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	7	7	0	7	21
Zips	14	7	7	0	28

Awards/MAC Leaders

Team Statistics

• 150.5 ypg Pass Defense (1st)
• 33.7 Net yards per punt (1st)

Zach Johnson

• All-MAC Second Team Defense
• 40.4 Punting Yards Per Punt (2nd)

Andre Hatchett

• All-MAC Third Team Defense
• 113 Total Tackles (5th)

Johnny Sears

• 33 Kickoff Returns (5th)
• 7 Passes Defended (Tied 3rd)

Martavius Cardwell

• 60 Solo Tackles (5th)

Brandon Downs

• 7.5 Sacks (4th)

Chris May

• 6 Interceptions (Tied 2nd)
• 126 Interception Return Yards (1st)

References