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YPSILANTI, Mich. —- Overcast sky threaten the afternoon with more rain across the Huron River valley but even with rain in the area it did not dampen the Eastern Michigan University spirit.

Eastern Michigan University scored just enough points to defeat Alabama State University 14-7 to record their second victory of the season in front a growing crowd of Eagle football fans.

Eastern Michigan University football coach Ron English received a lift on the sideline by watching his defense play inspired football.

“For an old defense coach I joked after the game I kind I’ve like those kinds of games,” English said after the game. “But the defense a couple of times we had two personal fouls. I do not know what that was with all those personal fouls. We hurt our self a couple of times but the guys are playing hard and they are striking and getting to the ball.”

The Eagles were penalized 12 times for 135 yards and English said the Eagles will clean something’s up before next week.

Alabama State University fifth year football coach Reggie Barlow wanted his Hornet defense to contain the running game of the Eagles.

“The defense played good and we have a saying ‘if it moves hit it,” Barlow said on the field after the game. “Defense wins championships we will study the film and we will make our corrections.”

For the first time in Eagle history a team from the proud state of Alabama put on the pads and helmet and stepped on the playing surface of the friendliest football stadium in the Mid-American Conference-Rynearson Stadium.

Barlow said the Eagles running game is the strength and his Hornets defense will have to stand strong and get Dominique Sherrer and Javonti Greene contained and on the ground.

The offense for the Eagles ran the ball 47 times for 336 yards; Sherrer ran for 111 yards and scored a touchdown but got injured in the third quarter that limited his playing time for the rest of the game.

Greene led the Eagles on the ground with 146 yards including a run of 32 yards.

English said the Eagles running game had a nice game but too many negative plays and a couple of balls on the ground made him to take his baseball cap off of his head and rub his head in concern about the Eagles running game.　

Last season the defense did not have talent they needed to make plays or get big stops, they did not make tackles, the front four did not provide or little any pressure, the linebackers did not have heart and the defensive backfield gave up too many big pass completions.

English said last week the defense is improved because of new pieces on the field. He also said that the Eagles did some nice things running the ball.

The defense attack was led by the pressure of the defensive front line and the contained support from the linebackers.

“The coaches have done a nice job; we did a nice job in recruiting the right guys. Marcus English has been here and he is playing better,” English said. “We are getting good something from them and coach (Steve) Morrison is doing a nice job.”

Eastern Michigan University will be on the road next Saturday afternoon Sept. 17, 2011 just down the road against the University of Michigan, the game is schedule to start at Noon.

“A coach told me a long time ago never looks down your nose at a win,” English said. “I told them at halftime that team knows how to win, they were champions last year. They have great coaches I think it will help our team. But I know this if we do not clean up several issues particular penalties then we are going to struggle the next two games.”

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Written by Mel Suiter
Graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2002 and have been working as a beat writer for The Ypsilanti Courier covering Eastern Michigan University football and men's basketball during my school career and after graduation. I like the Mid-American Conference and the rest of the mid-major conferences.