Dear Friends,
The second luncheon had about thirty-five people in attendance.
The guest player was the kicker Brendan Renius. He echoed what Mulder said at the previous luncheon with regards to Coach Creighton and his staff. After being questioned about the onside kick, he said they practiced that all week prior to the Wyoming game. Coach Creighton mentioned that they observed on film, the middle up-linemen for Wyoming just turning around and running towards their receiver. Coach Creighton then mentioned they were going to watch the first few kickoffs of the game, to see if their linemen continued to do that. They did, so that's the reason for the onside kick. To me, that is an example of going over film with a fine tooth comb.
Reggie Bell will be out approximately six weeks, and I forgot to ask about a medical red-shirt. If Brogan Roback gets hurt, so that he cannot continue to play, James Pensyl, true freshman will get the call.
Coach Creighton said that Ball State has a very good running back, and an experienced offensive line, so Eastern is going to have to play better defense. Continuing with the defensive play, he said that there were seventeen missed tackles and eighteen missed tackles, respectively in our first two games. That is completely unacceptable, and it has to be under ten for any one game.
He also said they are working with some wrinkles for Ball State, but would not go into any details as to what they were, or when they may use them.
Any questions?

(09-16-2015 06:47 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
The second luncheon had about thirty-five people in attendance.
The guest player was the kicker Brendan Renius. He echoed what Mulder said at the previous luncheon with regards to Coach Creighton and his staff. After being questioned about the onside kick, he said they practiced that all week prior to the Wyoming game. Coach Creighton mentioned that they observed on film, the middle up-linemen for Wyoming just turning around and running towards their receiver. Coach Creighton then mentioned they were going to watch the first few kickoffs of the game, to see if their linemen continued to do that. They did, so that's the reason for the onside kick. To me, that is an example of going over film with a fine tooth comb.
Reggie Bell will be out approximately six weeks, and I forgot to ask about a medical red-shirt. If Brogan Roback gets hurt, so that he cannot continue to play, James Pensyl, true freshman will get the call.
Coach Creighton said that Ball State has a very good running back, and an experienced offensive line, so Eastern is going to have to play better defense. Continuing with the defensive play, he said that there were seventeen missed tackles and eighteen missed tackles, respectively in our first two games. That is completely unacceptable, and it has to be under ten for any one game.
He also said they are working with some wrinkles for Ball State, but would not go into any details as to what they were, or when they may use them.
Any questions?

The issue of a redshirt for Bell isn't relevant. He already has used a redshirt. Players can only use one redshirt UNLESS it is TWO MEDICAL redshirts (and that is rare).

Hey Ken, thanks for the detailed summary!

Thanks for the info Ken. You're better than the guys that get paid to report on this stuff.

Thanks Ken.

I think we'll see a lot more 4 man front this week in an effort to stop the run. If we have to put the corners on a little more of an island, so be it.

Dear Friends,
I was unable to attend this week's luncheon. My brother attended, and said there were about 45 in attendance.
Coach Creighton emphasized that the defense needs to play better and each defensive player needs to play their position (not getting caught out of it), and to tackle better. Still, too many missed tackles.
Offensively, he echoed what most people on this site have said. I forgot to ask who the guest player was.

Dear Friends,
I was able to attend the last luncheon of the year today, Veteran's Day. Sorry I was not able to attend some of the others during the year.
There were about thirty people in attendance, and the guest was the Strength and Weight Coach, Ron McKeefery. He said he came to Eastern, from the pros, because of knowing Coach Creighton from the time they spent together at Ottawa College. The most difficult part of weight training is keeping the players focused, since there is no game at the end of the week, and that most weight lifting is during the winter.
In preparing for Massachusetts, when on defense, Eastern has to focus on their quarterback, and two of their receivers. Other schools had even tried double teaming the receivers, because one of them has already had ninety-five receptions this season. So, look for Eastern to try the same thing. Acknowledging that the defense has been poor, Creighton said that Eastern just doesn't have the depth this year due to the injuries sustained. He said he was not trying to make any excuses, but the defensive side of the team has eight players they were counting on, that are not playing right now. Brandon Bossard, Ikie Calderon, Ike Spearman, Pat O'Connor, Anthony Zappone, Jeremiah Harris, Aaron Pipkins, and one other that I can't remember.
When on offense, Eastern will have to adjust to a defense that has several different looks. Coach Creighton called it the roll-adex look because they just flip to a different look on almost every play. He thought that both Bell and Roback will play, but mentioned that Bell is not 100%. He also implied that Eastern may use the running game against the Massachusett's defense.
In recruiting, Eastern will have about fifteen recruits, eight on the defensive side of the ball.

(11-11-2015 03:01 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
I was able to attend the last luncheon of the year today, Veteran's Day. Sorry I was not able to attend some of the others during the year.
There were about thirty people in attendance, and the guest was the Strength and Weight Coach, Ron McKeefery. He said he came to Eastern, from the pros, because of knowing Coach Creighton from the time they spent together at Ottawa College. The most difficult part of weight training is keeping the players focused, since there is no game at the end of the week, and that most weight lifting is during the winter.
In preparing for Massachusetts, when on defense, Eastern has to focus on their quarterback, and two of their receivers. Other schools had even tried double teaming the receivers, because one of them has already had ninety-five receptions this season. So, look for Eastern to try the same thing. Acknowledging that the defense has been poor, Creighton said that Eastern just doesn't have the depth this year due to the injuries sustained. He said he was not trying to make any excuses, but the defensive side of the team has eight players they were counting on, that are not playing right now. Brandon Bossard, Ikie Calderon, Ike Spearman, Pat O'Connor, Anthony Zappone, Jeremiah Harris, Aaron Pipkins, and one other that I can't remember.
When on offense, Eastern will have to adjust to a defense that has several different looks. Coach Creighton called it the roll-adex look because they just flip to a different look on almost every play. He thought that both Bell and Roback will play, but mentioned that Bell is not 100%. He also implied that Eastern may use the running game against the Massachusett's defense.
In recruiting, Eastern will have about fifteen recruits, eight on the defensive side of the ball.

Thanks Ken, its sound like we have more verbals than I think which is right now about 10-11, not sure how many break down between defense and offense. It will be interesting to see if there are any JUCOs in this class.

I really like Ron McKeefery I think he's one of the best strength coaches in America and for EMU to have a person of his caliber helping the program is a real plus for the program and the players. Also its important to note the players put in lots of work and effort on the offseason if there's such a thing. The young men work hard. I like to see them get rewarded with wins on the field. Hopefully those days aren't too far in the future.

(11-11-2015 03:01 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
I was able to attend the last luncheon of the year today, Veteran's Day. Sorry I was not able to attend some of the others during the year.
There were about thirty people in attendance, and the guest was the Strength and Weight Coach, Ron McKeefery. He said he came to Eastern, from the pros, because of knowing Coach Creighton from the time they spent together at Ottawa College. The most difficult part of weight training is keeping the players focused, since there is no game at the end of the week, and that most weight lifting is during the winter.
In preparing for Massachusetts, when on defense, Eastern has to focus on their quarterback, and two of their receivers. Other schools had even tried double teaming the receivers, because one of them has already had ninety-five receptions this season. So, look for Eastern to try the same thing. Acknowledging that the defense has been poor, Creighton said that Eastern just doesn't have the depth this year due to the injuries sustained. He said he was not trying to make any excuses, but the defensive side of the team has eight players they were counting on, that are not playing right now. Brandon Bossard, Ikie Calderon, Ike Spearman, Pat O'Connor, Anthony Zappone, Jeremiah Harris, Aaron Pipkins, and one other that I can't remember.
When on offense, Eastern will have to adjust to a defense that has several different looks. Coach Creighton called it the roll-adex look because they just flip to a different look on almost every play. He thought that both Bell and Roback will play, but mentioned that Bell is not 100%. He also implied that Eastern may use the running game against the Massachusett's defense.
In recruiting, Eastern will have about fifteen recruits, eight on the defensive side of the ball.

Might be Nick Dillion or Hoying.

(11-11-2015 03:01 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
I was able to attend the last luncheon of the year today, Veteran's Day. Sorry I was not able to attend some of the others during the year.
There were about thirty people in attendance, and the guest was the Strength and Weight Coach, Ron McKeefery. He said he came to Eastern, from the pros, because of knowing Coach Creighton from the time they spent together at Ottawa College. The most difficult part of weight training is keeping the players focused, since there is no game at the end of the week, and that most weight lifting is during the winter.
In preparing for Massachusetts, when on defense, Eastern has to focus on their quarterback, and two of their receivers. Other schools had even tried double teaming the receivers, because one of them has already had ninety-five receptions this season. So, look for Eastern to try the same thing. Acknowledging that the defense has been poor, Creighton said that Eastern just doesn't have the depth this year due to the injuries sustained. He said he was not trying to make any excuses, but the defensive side of the team has eight players they were counting on, that are not playing right now. Brandon Bossard, Ikie Calderon, Ike Spearman, Pat O'Connor, Anthony Zappone, Jeremiah Harris, Aaron Pipkins, and one other that I can't remember.
When on offense, Eastern will have to adjust to a defense that has several different looks. Coach Creighton called it the roll-adex look because they just flip to a different look on almost every play. He thought that both Bell and Roback will play, but mentioned that Bell is not 100%. He also implied that Eastern may use the running game against the Massachusett's defense.
In recruiting, Eastern will have about fifteen recruits, eight on the defensive side of the ball.

Thanks Ken. That is a lot of losses on the defense. You can also add Steals as a loss. What happened to him? Not sure if the defense would have been Ok with some of those key players but it would not have been the train wreck that it is.

(11-12-2015 09:54 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  

(11-11-2015 03:01 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
I was able to attend the last luncheon of the year today, Veteran's Day. Sorry I was not able to attend some of the others during the year.
There were about thirty people in attendance, and the guest was the Strength and Weight Coach, Ron McKeefery. He said he came to Eastern, from the pros, because of knowing Coach Creighton from the time they spent together at Ottawa College. The most difficult part of weight training is keeping the players focused, since there is no game at the end of the week, and that most weight lifting is during the winter.
In preparing for Massachusetts, when on defense, Eastern has to focus on their quarterback, and two of their receivers. Other schools had even tried double teaming the receivers, because one of them has already had ninety-five receptions this season. So, look for Eastern to try the same thing. Acknowledging that the defense has been poor, Creighton said that Eastern just doesn't have the depth this year due to the injuries sustained. He said he was not trying to make any excuses, but the defensive side of the team has eight players they were counting on, that are not playing right now. Brandon Bossard, Ikie Calderon, Ike Spearman, Pat O'Connor, Anthony Zappone, Jeremiah Harris, Aaron Pipkins, and one other that I can't remember.
When on offense, Eastern will have to adjust to a defense that has several different looks. Coach Creighton called it the roll-adex look because they just flip to a different look on almost every play. He thought that both Bell and Roback will play, but mentioned that Bell is not 100%. He also implied that Eastern may use the running game against the Massachusett's defense.
In recruiting, Eastern will have about fifteen recruits, eight on the defensive side of the ball.

Thanks Ken. That is a lot of losses on the defense. You can also add Steals as a loss. What happened to him? Not sure if the defense would have been Ok with some of those key players but it would not have been the train wreck that it is.

Good stuff. Thanks!!

And as far as recruiting, it is always best to hear it from the HC himself!!!

And yes, the injuries to a number of starters have depleted a very thin team.