Getting to know Eastern Michigan

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Central Michigan isn’t expecting the same-old Eastern Michigan football team this weekend.

Central Michigan has averaged 51 points per game against EMU the past four seasons, but the Eagles have improved.

They has the fifth-best scoring defense in the Mid-American Conference and that’s with Michigan and Penn State on the schedule.

“They’re much improved from last year,” said CMU quarterback Ryan Radcliff. “You know you’re going to get a good game Saturday.”

Radcliff thinks EMU’s defense will provide a tougher test than last year.

“They got a couple of really big safeties,” Radcliff said. “Their cornerbacks are quick and skilled. Up front they have a lot of guys that go hard.

The EMU defensive front had no answer for CMU running back Paris Cotton last season when he rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns.

Junior linebacker Justin Cudworth leads the Eagles defense. He has a team-high 48 tackles and two forced fumbles.

EMU quarterback Alex Gillett has rushed for 316 yards and two touchdowns while passing for 623 yards and four touchdowns. He looks to improve from last year’s loss, despite passing 12-for-20 for 148 yards and a touchdown.

However, Gillett is prone to turnovers throwing five interceptions this season.

CMU safety Jahleel Addae is tied for the MAC lead with three interceptions and said he anticipates a lot of running. With EMU having four rushers with more than 230 yards on the ground this season, that isn’t far off. The team has also attempted more than twice as many rushing attempts in comparison to passing.

“We pride ourselves in toughness,” Addae said. “We have to line up right and then hit them in the mouth when the ball comes.”

It doesn’t look like CMU is preparing for another blowout. Enos sees a dangerous team coming in at 3 p.m. on Saturday in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

“They’re a very good team in our conference,” Enos said. “They’re going to play well and they’re going to beat people in the conference.”