5 Things You Need to Know About the Eastern Michigan Eagles

For the first time this season Big Blue Nation will be treated to a night game at Kroger Field. Playing a struggling MAC team after a tough loss to Ole Miss may not be great for filling the stands, but there should still be a solid atmosphere under the lights. The Eastern Michigan Eagles should offer the Kentucky Wildcats a get right spot on Saturday night. They come to Lexington with an 0-2 record including last week’s 28-23 loss to LIU. The transitive property doesn’t apply to sports, but that is the same LIU team that lost to Florida in Week One 55-0. Saturday could offer a fun launching off point for the Cutter Boley era as he takes over QB1 responsibilities from veteran Zach Calzada.

Admittedly, morale is not very high among the Kentucky Football fanbase. There is a very vocal group that has seemingly made their mind up to move on from Coach Stoops. Even after beating Toledo to open the season and taking a Top 20 Ole Miss team down to the final seconds the bitter taste of last year’s ugly 4-8 record still lingers. There is likely nothing the Wildcats can do against Eastern Michigan to change the outlook, but a dominating victory would at least provide a bit of momentum heading into the first bye week.

As always, Kentucky Sports Radio’s football experts Nick Roush and Adam Luckett have spent the week providing in-depth breakdowns of the Wildcats’ opponent. 11 Personnel and the KSR Football Podcast have you covered as well if you prefer preparing for Saturday’s game via audio. However, for those looking for a more surface level preview you have come to the right place. Here are five things you need to know about the Eastern Michigan Eagles.

Eastern Michigan Landed a Notable QB in the Transfer Portal

Noah Kim began his career at Michigan State where he threw for over 1,000 yards in five games as a junior. He spent last season at Coastal Carolina, but was used sparingly in seven games throwing for 333 yards and four touchdowns. This season has been Kim’s first true chance to lead a team from start to finish. His personal statistics certainly don’t look bad through two games, but the Eastern Michigan Eagles have obviously struggled mightily as a team.

Now in his sixth season on a college football roster, Kim is 41-63 passing for 437 yards and three touchdowns against no interceptions through two weeks as the Eagles’ starter. He has also scrambled 11 times for 24 non-sack rushing yards. If Eastern Michigan finds any level of offensive success on Saturday night it will likely come from Kim and the passing attack.

Clear Top Target at Wideout

There are many new faces across the Eastern Michigan Eagles’ offense, but a returning All-MAC performer at wide receiver is the star of the show. Terry Lockett Jr., who originally went to Michigan State with Noah Kim in the Class of 2020, earned Third Team All-MAC honors last season. He caught 46 passes for 660 yards and five touchdowns. Through two weeks this year Lockett Jr. has already received 19 targets with 13 catches for 140 yards. The Kim to Lockett Jr. connection will certainly be one to watch on Saturday night at Kroger Field.

Aside from force-feeding the ball to Lockett Jr., Kim will turn to his tight ends in the passing game. Joshua Long is second on the team with five catches for 63 yards and has one of three receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, former Kentucky Wildcat Tanner Lemaster is another big tight end target for the Eagles. The 6’6″ 247 pound redshirt sophomore has three catches on three targets for 57 yards. Kim is going to key in on getting the ball to Lockett Jr., but if the Wildcats can successfully take him away expect to see plenty of check downs to the big tight ends.

Eagles Feature Running Back Platoon Behind Experienced O-Line

In his seventh year of college football it appears that Dontae McMillan has found his footing as the Eastern Michigan Eagles’ featured back. The veteran tailback has big play potential forcing 10 missed tackles on 17 carries and averaging eight yards per rush. McMillan has found pay dirt once on the ground and once through the air as well. Similar to the tight ends, expect to see McMillan factor into the check down passing game for Eastern Michigan if Kentucky can effectively cover Terry Lockett Jr.

Alongside McMillan in the Eagles’ backfield is redshirt senior Tavierre Dunlap. After collecting just 22 carries for 138 yards and one touchdown in four years at Michigan, Dunlap transferred to Eastern Michigan for his final season of eligibility. He has already nearly matched his four-year carry total with 21 rushes for 59 yards and a touchdown. Eastern Michigan will lean on their passing game, but the one-two punch of McMillan and Dunlap is solid.

Up front the Eagles expected to rely on a veteran core, but an injury to Mickey Rewolinski has left a gaping hole on the offensive line. On paper, the 6’6″ 297 pound sixth year center was set to be Eastern Michigan’s best player. His absence has led to some musical chairs up front and is like a cause for some struggles in the running game. Eastern Michigan ranks 94th in yards per rush, 103rd in rushing success rate, and has allowed pressure on over one-third of snaps. Kentucky’s defensive line should be able to live in the Eastern Michigan Eagles’ backfield.

Plenty of Struggles on the Defensive Side of the Football

The Eastern Michigan Eagles have struggled over the years on the defensive side of the ball. Under long time head coach Chris Creighton the Eagles’ defense has finished outside of the Top 100 seven times in 11 years. It certainly looks like they are headed towards making it eight times in year 12 for Coach Creighton.

Eastern Michigan’s defense ranks outside of the Top 100 currently in essentially every major statistically category. Two weeks isn’t a large sample size, but the Eagles have also faced relatively low levels of competition so far. They are allowing 40 points per game (129th nationally) and 5.63 yards per drive (134th nationally). 8.04 yards per play comes in at 135th nationally out 136 FBS teams. Kentucky’s offense, led by Cutter Boley, certainly should have opportunities to gain some confidence in this matchup.

Secondary Offers Some Defensive Upside

Despite missing Dramarian McNulty to injury, the Eastern Michigan Eagles secondary has been the best unit among a struggling defense. McNulty, a safety, was expected to be the best defensive player this season but hasn’t appeared in either of their first two games. Joshua Scott has two pass breakups through two games and will be big play hunting when Cutter Boley looks downfield. The Eagles feature another Michigan State transfer in Caleb Coley who brings over some legitimate Big Ten experience. Barry Manning and Javian Norman give Eastern Michigan a pair of returning starters in the secondary as well. There are plenty of advantages working in Kentucky’s favor, but Boley will at least see a little bit of resistance when looking to stretch out the passing attack.