EMU 28, UMass 14: Last Year's Strengths Look Improved, and so Does This Offense
EMU 28, UMass 14: Last Year's Strengths Look Improved, and so Does This Offense
Reactions to Eastern Michigan's season-opener at UMass.
Eastern Michigan fans have waited a long time for this season to finally kick off, and a clean 28-14 victory over UMass is exactly what the doctor ordered to start this season off.
While UMass will be a conference opponent again, EMU certainly had its fun as non-conference foes ripping off four-straight wins over the program since 2021.
Some instant reactions to Saturday’s season-opening victory:
Cole Snyder’s hot start
Cole Snyder didn’t miss much. His incompletions weren’t awful misfires.
Some notable drops by a couple of his teammates, and three of his 11 incompletions still turned into first downs through penalties. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he looked like a quarterback that’s been running this offense for a few years already.
Until a film session tells me otherwise, Snyder’s made a strong first impression for this offense, making more smart decisions than costly ones.
And not just good decisions, but good decisions with some mileage to them – he completed passes of 19, 29, and 32 yards to second-year transfer Terry Lockett, 17 and 18-yard completions (the second one being a score) to Deuce honoree Oran Singleton, and a 40-yarder plus a 2-point conversion completion to former 4-star and Wisconsin transfer Markus Allen.
In his two season-opening games as the Bulls’ quarterback, Snyder went 18/35 for 160 yards with no scores at Maryland (2022), and 26/41 for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns at Wisconsin (2023).
Against UMass, Snyder was 17/29 for 241 yards, 1 TD throwing, and another rushing.
Earlier in the summer, I wrote that Snyder’s efficiency early in the year would be vital for this team to have season-long success.
I think that EMU really wants to be able to stretch the field (and its playbook) more than it was able to show last year, and it’d be nice to be able to run more plays to get some of its developing players the ball more too. And while big plays are fun and necessary out of the QB spot, efficiency is probably a better fix for this side of the ball.
After a stinker of an opening possession, EMU responded with a 97-yard scoring drive
Once EMU got to UMass’ side of the field on the opening possession, it was met with its first fourth-down decision of the season.
On third down and 7, Snyder’s pass over the middle to Singleton was complete, but the receiver was instantly wrestled down short of the sticks.
Snyder’s decision, to hit NC State grad transfer running back Delbert Mimms III on a swing route, was half-right. While his pass over a UMass defender was on the money, Mimms bobbled and dropped the ball as if he expected the pass to get to him quicker.
Not an ideal end to a drive that EMU, otherwise, looked fine on. The Eagles began with the ball on their 8-yard line and got to UMass’ side of the field in six plays.
That wasn’t the only drop that’ll be revisited in Eastern’s film room sessions.
In the second quarter, Max Reese was the perfect target for a perfect throw from Snyder on the run late in the second quarter, which would’ve put this team in the red zone for a second drive in a row. But Reese, who left his feet for the ball to hit him square in the hands, dropped the third-down pass to put EMU’s punt team on the field.
Then on its next drive, EMU drove the length of the field to get on the board. Ten plays, 97 yards, and in just a hair under four minutes — EMU got on the board first in the second quarter.
Dontae McMillan had some short runs, but it was all Snyder with a first-down pass to Allen, run for 11 yards, a long connection to Lockett, and, in the end, a QB punch at the goal line to lead his new team on the scoreboard.
EMU certainly deeper with its pass rush this season
Last year’s defense finished with a havoc rate – which includes tackles for loss, fumbles forced, pass breakups, and interceptions – finished the year with a havoc rate of 15.22%.
By the end of the first half, EMU had five sacks. This team had a single-game season high of four sacks recorded in last year’s opener vs. Howard.
By the end of the game, EMU finished with a havoc rate of 16.9%. A small sample size, sure. But defense was certainly this team’s stronger side of the ball in 2023, and there’s already reason to think this unit might be even better in 2024.
Not only did EMU make sure it felt “bolstered” at the interior defensive line spots, but the edge rushing needed more active participants than it was able to field last year. D-ends Joseph Zelinsky (4 tackles, 1 forced fumble vs. UMass) and Justin Jefferson (7 tackles, 2 sacks) returned to lead the way Saturday, but Carter Evans (1 tackle) and Sterling Miles (2 tackles) each returned from injuries last year.
New transfers Trey Laing (4 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack) and linebacker James Djonkam (13 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack) both applied pressure throughout the game. Jefferson Adam (2 tackles) got in the game too.
Jordan Toney’s just so tall out there
I’m over-stating the obvious. But, man. Forget about his ability and whether or not you think he’s a good football player. Just look at how tall this 6’5” true freshman is out there compared to literally any UMass wide receiver on the other side.
That’s all. I’m just so used to seeing 5’10” cornerbacks all the time in this conference. When somebody noticeably taller than it defensive ends is out there at cornerback, it’s just hard to ignore.
4th & goal at the 2: Creighton settled for field goal to go up by 10
Instead of going up two full touchdowns after UMass’ offense marched downfield for its first score the possession before, Chris Creighton called on Jesus Gomez to kick the short 3-pointer to go up two scores.
Gomez is now 27/34 all-time in field goals and was a 75% shooter last season.
The field goal finished a 10-play, 73-yard drive.
Immediately after EMU got to its 17-7 lead, Phommachanh chugged along for a 33-yard run to get his offense to midfield, then his team converted on a 4th & 1 run up the middle to try and get another score on the board.
But EMU’s defense still battled back, and would end up trying a 46-yard field goal attempt on its next fourth-down play. The kick was nowhere near good, and EMU’s defense hung onto the 10-point lead as it got the ball back.
No turnovers for either side
It’s always fun to play the coulda-shoulda-woulda game when it comes to turnovers.
But this game had none of that. Nobody lost a fumble to the other team, and nobody threw any interceptions. Really, there weren’t many passes for defensive backs to get their hands on.
Last year’s EMU had 19 takeaways to 17 turnovers (+2 margin), and last year’s game against UMass featured five total turnovers; four by UMass, one by EMU.
