Eastern Michigan Athletics
Football Finishes Day Three of Training Camp
8/4/2017 4:08:00 PM | Football
The Eagles had its first practice in shoulder pads
XENIA, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team wrapped up day three of training camp at the Athletes in Action Complex & Retreat Center in Xenia, Ohio Friday, Aug. 4. The intensity ramped up slightly as it was EMU's first opportunity to don shoulder pads.
The Eagles enter year two under the tutelage of Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery, and will look to continue the momentum they established in year one. The Eagles return eight starters to Neathery's 4-2-5 scheme, as well as returning 86 percent of its tackles, the fourth most in the country.
EMU saw a remarkable improvement in its first season under Neathery, finishing in a tie for the most improved program in the Football Bowl Subdivision. EMU allowed 86.5 yards per game less in 2016 (432.7 per game) than it did in 2015 (519.2 per game) to rank 83rd in the country and seventh in the MAC.
The team also took a huge step forward in stopping the run, as the defense gave up 149 yards per game less on the ground in 2016 than it did a year earlier. Overall, EMU was nationally ranked seventh in fumbles recovered, 32nd in turnovers gained, 58th in interceptions, and 59th in rushing defense.
Due to the AAU Junior Olympic Games taking place at Rynearson Stadium, the Eagles are hosting their first four practices, Aug., 2-5, away from home before making the 213-mile journey back to Ypsilanti following Saturday's practice.
This practice was the third of the four-day acclimatization period where the players can only wear helmets for the first two days, before adding shoulder pads on the third and fourth days, and finally full pads on the fifth day. Also, a new wrinkle to the 2017 camp schedule is the elimination of two-a-days during preseason practice.
For updates on the EMU football team, be sure to follow @EMUFB on Twitter with the hashtag #FR4REAL.
The Eagles open the 2017 season under the lights at "The Factory" inside Rynearson Stadium Friday, Sept. 1, versus Charlotte. Single-game tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, Aug. 7. Season tickets are available for purchase at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office daily between 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
The Eagles enter year two under the tutelage of Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery, and will look to continue the momentum they established in year one. The Eagles return eight starters to Neathery's 4-2-5 scheme, as well as returning 86 percent of its tackles, the fourth most in the country.
EMU saw a remarkable improvement in its first season under Neathery, finishing in a tie for the most improved program in the Football Bowl Subdivision. EMU allowed 86.5 yards per game less in 2016 (432.7 per game) than it did in 2015 (519.2 per game) to rank 83rd in the country and seventh in the MAC.
The team also took a huge step forward in stopping the run, as the defense gave up 149 yards per game less on the ground in 2016 than it did a year earlier. Overall, EMU was nationally ranked seventh in fumbles recovered, 32nd in turnovers gained, 58th in interceptions, and 59th in rushing defense.
Due to the AAU Junior Olympic Games taking place at Rynearson Stadium, the Eagles are hosting their first four practices, Aug., 2-5, away from home before making the 213-mile journey back to Ypsilanti following Saturday's practice.
This practice was the third of the four-day acclimatization period where the players can only wear helmets for the first two days, before adding shoulder pads on the third and fourth days, and finally full pads on the fifth day. Also, a new wrinkle to the 2017 camp schedule is the elimination of two-a-days during preseason practice.
For updates on the EMU football team, be sure to follow @EMUFB on Twitter with the hashtag #FR4REAL.
The Eagles open the 2017 season under the lights at "The Factory" inside Rynearson Stadium Friday, Sept. 1, versus Charlotte. Single-game tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, Aug. 7. Season tickets are available for purchase at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office daily between 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
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