Overview
The 2014 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team represented Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in the 2014 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. The Eagles competed as members of the West Division of the Mid‑American Conference (MAC) and played their home games at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ron English served as head coach in his second year at the helm.
Season record
- Overall: 2 wins – 10 losses
- Conference (MAC): 2 wins – 6 losses
Coaching staff
- Head Coach: Ron English (2nd season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Ken Karcher (2nd season)
- Defensive Coordinator: Phil Snow (2nd season)
Key players
- Quarterback: Tom Heck (senior) – led the offense with a combined 2,783 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
- Running back: D.J. Brown (junior) – rushed for 522 yards and 5 touchdowns.
- Wide receivers: Freddie Ward (senior) and Derrick Jones (junior) were the primary targets, combining for over 1,200 receiving yards.
- Defensive standouts: Linebacker Kevian Byrd and defensive end Rick Mills contributed to the team’s leading sack total of 18.
Notable games
- September 6, 2014 – vs. Central Michigan (Home) – EMU won 30–27 in overtime, marking the Eagles’ first victory of the season and their first win over a MAC opponent since 2010.
- October 25, 2014 – vs. Kent State (Home) – EMU secured a 31–27 win, the second and final victory of the year.
Other results included losses to formidable opponents such as Northwestern, Michigan State, Ohio, Toledo, and Ball State.
Schedule and results
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 6 | Central Michigan* | Rynearson Stadium, Ypsilanti, MI | W 30–27 (OT) |
| Sep 13 | Northwestern | Ryan Field, Evanston, IL | L 27–49 |
| Sep 20 | Michigan State | Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | L 7–47 |
| Sep 27 | Western Michigan* | Rynearson Stadium | L 20–35 |
| Oct 4 | Bowling Green* | Rynearson Stadium | L 31–38 |
| Oct 11 | Ball State* | Muncie, IN | L 21–48 |
| Oct 18 | Ohio* | Rynearson Stadium | L 31–44 |
| Oct 25 | Kent State* | Rynearson Stadium | W 31–27 |
| Nov 1 | Miami (OH)* | Oxford, OH | L 30–44 |
| Nov 8 | Toledo* | Rynearson Stadium | L 13–31 |
| Nov 15 | Northern Illinois* | DeKalb, IL | L 22–38 |
| Nov 22 | Buffalo* | Buffalo, NY | L 20–45 |
*Denotes MAC conference games.
Statistical summary
- Total offense averaged 339.8 yards per game (226.1 passing, 113.7 rushing).
- Defense allowed an average of 424.2 yards per game.
- Turnover margin: –8 (15 giveaways, 7 takeaways).
Aftermath
Following the 2014 season, head coach Ron English was dismissed on November 24, 2014. He was succeeded by Chris Creighton, who was hired as the new head coach in December 2014.
References
- Eastern Michigan University Athletics, 2014 Football Season Archive.
- Mid‑American Conference official statistics, 2014 season.
- NCAA Division I FBS records, 2014.
