Maize's Eagles | A New Direction in Ypsilanti

[Maize08]

NCAA 2007 on PS2 - Idaho (DC)
NCAA 2008 on PS2 - Kent State (DC), Michigan (MM)
NCAA 2009 on PS2 - New Mexico State (MM)
NCAA 2010 on PS2 - Notre Dame (OS)
NCAA 2011 on PS3 - Kent State (OS/VSN/DSS)
NCAA 2012 on PS3 - UCLA (DSS)
NCAA 2013 on PS3 - Duke (DSS), Kentucky (VSN/DSS)
NCAA 2014 on PS3 - UNLV (SS/OS), Eastern Michigan (OS)

Eastern Michigan's football program is down and some people are honestly considering getting rid of it. A recent forum heard from faculty, alumni, teachers, students, and athletes about the state of the football program.

I am starting at the end of the 2013 season. I simulated so that EMU's record was the same as in real life. Otherwise, it was a straight sim and Alabama actually won the National Championship (Manziel won the Heisman).

EMU will be looking for a Head Coach and I already have someone in mind. I am going to use some real recruits, both for EMU and a few national recruits. I have plenty of story lines and I can't wait to get started. There won't be many updates right away, but once my Winter Break starts, I will be updating quite a bit.

As always, my emphasis will be on writing and realism. If you have any questions or comments, let me know. Thanks.

Dynasty Information
Platform: Playstation 3
Gameplay Level: All-American
Quarter Length: 8 Minutes
Sliders: Custom, always a work in progress.
Rosters: PS3 Roster Community Project (OS)
Roster Size: 70 players, 60 active
Scheduling: Realism is the key. I will try to stick to EMU's future schedule and also stick to how they usually schedule games.
Redshirts: I am allowed to redshirt true freshmen, transfers, and back-up skill position players.
Recruiting: All-American Level.
In-Season Updates: Top 25 and Heisman watch will be updated every week. Team standings and individual statistics will be updated after the first four game, after the ninth game, then after the final game of the season.
In-Game: Choose one of the selected plays on First and Second Down. Then on third down, I am on my own. Try to create realistic statistics, so bring in back-ups if the game gets out of reach. Adjust sliders after every four games if needed.

[Maize08]

History and Records

All-Time Record: 439-546-47
All-Time Win %: 44.5%
National Championships: 0
Conference Championships: 10 (1896, 1925, '27, '28, '29, '30, '54, '55, '57, '87)
Postseason Bowl Record: 1-2
Last Bowl Appearance: 2014 Military Bowl - 24-9 Loss to Duke

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Michigan MAC Trophy

Current Holder: Central Michigan
CMU Trophy Seasons (5): 2006, '09, '10, '13, '14
EMU Trophy Seasons (4): 2007, '08, '11, '12
WMU Trophy Seasons (1): 2005
Record vs. CMU (Since '05): 5-5 (Won last game)
Record vs. WMU (Since '05): 4-6 (Lost last game)

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Individual Records

Passing
Passing Yards (Game) - Andy Schmitt (2008) - 516 yards
Passing Yards (Season) - Charlie Batch (1997) - 3,280 yards
Passing Yards (Career) - Walter Church ('96-'00) - 9,140 yards
Passing Touchdowns (Game) - Kainoa Akina (2001) - 6
Passing Touchdowns (Season) - Charlie Batch (1997) - 23
Passing Touchdowns (Career) - Charlie Batch ('94-'97) - 53
Rushing
Rushing Yards (Game) - Larry Ratcliff (1971) - 291 yards
Rushing Yards (Season) - Bronson Hill (2014) - 1,811 yards
Rushing Yards (Career) - Gary Patton ('84-'87) - 3,497 yards
Rushing Touchdowns (Game) - Thirteen Players Tied - 4
Rushing Touchdowns (Season) - Two Players Tied - 15
Rushing Touchdowns (Career) - Gary Patton ('84-'87) - 31
Receiving
Receptions (Game) - Tyler Jones (2008) - 23
Receptions (Season) - Kevin Walter (2002) - 93
Receptions (Career) - Eric Deslauriers ('03-'06) - 248
Receiving Yards (Game) - Ontario Pryor (1996) - 241 yards
Receiving Yards (Season) - Kevin Walter (2002) - 1,368 yards
Receiving Yards (Career) - Eric Deslauriers ('03-'06) - 3,250 yards
Receiving Touchdowns (Game) - Two Players Tied - 4
Receiving Touchdowns (Season) - Eric Deslauriers (2004) - 13
Receiving Touchdowns (Career) - Eric Deslauriers ('03-'06) - 27
Defense
Total Tackles (Season) - Alvin Sanders (1974) - 180
Total Tackles (Career) - Reese McCaskill ('92-'95) - 450
Sacks (Season) - Avery Brown (1996) - 11.0
Sacks (Career) - Kevin Howe ('03-'06) - 17.5
Interceptions (Season) - Bob Navarro (1989) - 12
Interceptions (Career) - Joe Clinton ('66-'69) - 20
Bold - Record Broken in Dynasty

[Maize08]

Season Reviews

2013
Overall Record: 2-10
Conference Record: 1-7
Home Record: 2-3
Schedule/Results:

Spoiler

vs. Hampton - W - 35-0
@ Penn State - L - 14-52
@ Rutgers - L - 24-33
vs. Ball State - L - 10-41
@ Buffalo - L - 14-42
@ Army - L - 7-21
vs. Ohio - L - 0-55
@ Northern Illinois - L - 0-48
@ Toledo - L - 17-27
vs. Western Michigan - W - 35-10
vs. Bowling Green - L - 9-35
@ Central Michigan - L - 10-21

Team MVP (Offense): Jr. Bronson Hill, RB
Team MVP (Defense): Sr. Donald Coleman, SS
Team Awards/Accolades: None
Heisman Winner: QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
Conference Champion: Northern Illinois (9-0)
National Champion: Alabama (13-1) over Baylor (12-1) in BCS National Championship

2014
Overall Record: 7-7
Conference Record: 6-3
Home Record: 4-1
Schedule/Results:

Spoiler

vs. Morgan State - W - 17-7
@ Florida - L - 17-33
@ Old Dominion - L - 20-28
@ Michigan State - L - 24-27
vs. Central Michigan - W - 31-18
vs. Buffalo - L - 9-33
@ Western Michigan - L - 24-27
vs. UMass - W - 34-24
@ Miami Univ. - W - 19-13
@ Ball State - W - 27-24
vs. Northern Illinois - W - 24-14
@ Kent State - W - 18-17
vs. Buffalo (MAC Champ.) - L - 14-31
vs. Duke (Bowl) - L - 9-24

Team MVP (Offense): Sr. Bronson Hill, RB
Team MVP (Defense): Sr. Darius Scott, CB
Team Awards/Accolades: Bronson Hill, RB (All-MAC 1st), Campbell Allison, OG (All-MAC 1st), Pat O'Connor (All-MAC 2nd), Cy Maughmer, DT (All-MAC 1st), Travis Lisner (All-MAC 2nd), Hunter Matt, MLB (All-MAC 2nd), Dylan Mulder, K (All-MAC 2nd), Tyler Allen, RET (All-MAC 1st)
Heisman Winner: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Conference Champion: Buffalo (7-2)
National Champion: Florida State (13-1) over Wisconsin (13-1) in BCS National Championship

[Maize08]

Recruiting Recaps

2014 Recruiting Class: 98th Nationally, 9th in MAC

Eastern Michigan Recruiting - 2014
NAME	POS	CLASS	HOMETOWN	HT	WT	CALIBER
Dakota Tallman	OG	HS	Elyria, OH	6'4"	304
Ryan White	FS	HS	Celina, OH	6'1"	193
Mitch Stanitzek	DE	HS	St. Johns, MI	6'4"	220
Sam Dahl	OLB	HS	Alton, IL	6'2"	180
Darrell Stewart	TE	HS	Pontiac, MI	6'6"	247
Donnie Sabo	DE	HS	East Moline, IL	6'3"	230
Gary Hosey	OLB	HS	Detroit, MI	6'0"	220
Raymond Craft	SS	HS	Mantua, VA	6'0"	191
Ian Eriksen	RB	HS	Battle Creek, MI	5'10"	190
Kasey Love	SS	HS	Ozark, AR	6'0"	191
Dwayne Montaque	DT	HS	River Rouge, MI	6'4"	288
John Brown	DE	HS	East Chicago, IL	6'3"	230
Steve Muse	OT	HS	Schereville, IN	6'5"	266
Kelvin Wallace	RB	HS	Northridge, OH	6'1"	185
Jerome Hunter	OT	HS	Detroit MI	6'2"	327
David Hodges	WR	HS	Wyoming, MI	6'1"	188

2015 Recruiting Class: 90 Nationally, 6th in MAC

Eastern Michigan Recruiting - 2015
NAME	POS	CLASS	HOMETOWN	HT	WT	CALIBER
Cedric Richardson	OG	HS	Forest Park, OH	6'1"	305
Nate Rankin	OT	HS	Euclid, OH	6'7"	294
Ryan Jude	ATH	HS	East Detroit, MI	6'0"	223
Jayson Latimer	DT	HS	Northridge, OH	6'5"	290
Dorian Alvarez	C	HS	Grosse Pt., MI	6'2"	277
Charles Turfe	RB	HS	Plymouth, MI	5'11"	194
Josh Dabney	OG	HS	Hazel Park, MI	6'1"	265
Jaquay King	CB	HS	Burton, MI	5'8"	160
Wyatt Borges	ATH	HS	Burton, MI	6'0"	254
Chase Lalla	ATH	HS	Farmington, MI	5'11"	200
Michael Collier	RB	HS	Bexley, OH	6'0"	175
Ruben Gordon	SS	HS	Muskegon, MI	6'0"	201
Dennis Reid	ATH	HS	Barrie, CN	6'4"	288
Calvin Watson	CB	HS	Hoboken, NJ	5'10"	176
Cameron Cole	WR	HS	Saline, MI	6'2"	240
Sidney Horne	CB	HS	Cudahy, WI	6'1"	173
Chris Pittman	DT	HS	Forestville, OH	6'2"	295
Lamar Jerry	DT	HS	White Oak, OH	6'5"	291
Edmond Arden	CB	HS	London, KY	5'10"	172
Kendrick Osborn	FS	HS	Ypsilanti, MI	6'0"	175
Donte Eubanks	WR	HS	Farmington Hills, MI	5'10"	160
Josh Colegrove	DE	HS	Lowell, MI	6'0"	220

[Maize08]

AD Releases Football Attendance; Ready for Improvement
Eastern Michigan's football program is (again) in a state of flux. Head Coach Ron English was fired during the season after a profanity-laced tirade was released to the public. His immediate dismissal signaled another rebuilding effort taking place in Ypsilanti.

New Athletic Director Heather Lyke said she spent her first full season "evaluating every aspect" of all EMU fall sports. As for football, a big worry for the AD is the attendance, which took a dip in 2013. Last year, EMU had the worst home attendance of any FBS football program. The team only averaged 3,923 attendees, almost 6,000 lower than the second-to-last program (Akron).

For 2013, the team only had five home, with four of the five scheduled at the same time as a University of Michigan home game. Being that the schools are seven miles apart, it definitely affected attendance. Playing a FCS opponent and four MAC schools seemed to hurt as well. In the end, Rynearson Stadium averaged 3,694 per game - easily making it the lowest in the country. Most games averaged close to 2,500 with the exception of the higher attendance for the Western Michigan game.

"This is definitely something will be addressing before next year's season." said AD Heather Lyke, regarding attendance. "A large part of that is the product on the field, but it is more than that. We have to improve the game day experience and make attending games worthwhile for students and fans."

No changes have been announced, although gates will open 90 minutes before kickoff (instead of the usual 60 minutes prior). The Athletic Department is waiting to make an announcement regarding the new Head Coach, since that person will have a role in the decision-making for the program.

Following the National Championship game, only three candidates have been given official interviews: Cass Tech High School Head Coach Thomas Wilcher, former Miami University Head Coach Mike Haywood, and former Michigan Quarterback and current Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Scott Loeffler. The search has been described as "on-going," but Lyke noted that a decision should be made in the next "one or two weeks."

[Maize08]

Mark Mangino Named EMU Football Coach
A familiar name in the world of college football is taking over the EMU Eagles' program. 57 year-old Mark Mangino was announced at a Monday morning Press Conference as the 42nd Head Coach in the school's history. Mangino was most recently coaching at his alma mater, Youngstown State as the team's Assistant Head Coach.

Introduced by Athletic Director Heather Lyke, Mangino is viewed as a surprise hire. He had met with administration over the weekend and after a six-hour interview and meeting on Sunday, he was offered the job.

"(Eastern Michigan) is proud to name Mark Mangino as our next football coach. We are lucky to bring in a man with his experience and track record." said AD Lyke, who did not answer questions from the media, instead turning the attention to Mangino.

Mangino is best known as the former Head Coach at Kansas, who was fired amid multiple allegations of player misconduct and negative behavior. In eight seasons as the Head Coach of the Jayhawks, he compiled a 50-48 record including in 2007 going 12-1, a season capped off with an Orange Bowl win and top-ten finish nationally.

After three years away from football, he coached last season at Youngstown State to an improved 8-4 record. He had considered an earlier return to coaching, before his wife Mary Jane, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Speaking with media during his introductory press conference, it was clear that he had prioritized his life away from football.

"I have put family first. I've lost more than 100 lbs., but I have more to lose. (Laughing) I'm getting old, I have learned from some mistakes in the past. I have a passion for this game, no doubt, now I know how to focus that passion." stated Coach Mangino, answering to some criticism about prior actions. One reporter even pointed out the indiscretions from former Head Coach Ron English.

"I don't know (Ron English), but I know this game can get the best of people sometimes. All I can promise: I will give my best, every single day. Right or wrong, I will do what is best for this program."

Mangino received multiple National Coach of the Year Awards in 2007, but his coaching career prior had him working under other famed coaches. Two years at Youngstown State under Jim Tressel, seven years under Bill Snyder at Kansas State, and three seasons working at Oklahoma. At OU under Head Coach Bob Stoops, Mangino became known as an offensive guru.

When Mangino applied for EMU, his application also received an endorsement from Bill Snyder. Heather Lyke explained: "Last Thursday morning, I get a call to my desk from a strange area code. I pick up and this soft voice says 'I'm Bill Snyder and I would like to talk to you about your football program.' I about fell out of my chair."

Mangino did not know about the Snyder phone call, but he knows that he has made some friends in coaching along the way. Some of those friends might end up coaching with him at Eastern, including former players.

The Athletic Department, in their official press release, announced Mangino signed a four year contract at $825,000 a year. Incentives in place include: Appearing in the MAC Championship game ($4,500), winning the MAC Championship game ($2,500), and making a bowl game ($5,000).

"The goal will be to win football games and improve the standing of this football program. I know they have been down for a long time. We want to build it up, get people, get the community involved. We might stand in the shadow of that Big House, but I know we can stand on our own."

[GoldenJet]

What is the other website you are posting this dynasty on? And it is very well written. Following.

[Maize08]

Quote: Originally Posted by GoldenJet

What is the other website you are posting this dynasty on? And it is very well written. Following.

Thank you, right now I am only posting it here. I might post it elsewhere but this seems to be the place. A lot of familiar faces around here.