The 2010 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team represented Eastern Michigan University during the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Eastern Michigan competed as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division, was coached by Ron English, and played their homes game at Rynearson Stadium. They finished the season 2–10, 2–6 in MAC play.
Schedule
Coaching staff
Following the disastrous 0-12 2009 season, head coach Ron English made major changes to the coaching staff, bringing in five new assistant coaches, most notably, defensive coordinator Phil Snow.
Game summaries
Army
The Army Black Knights defeated the Eastern Michigan Eagles for the third consecutive year, this being the second of the three decided by less than a touchdown. The game was tied twice and there were three lead changes. The teams combined for 594 yards rushing and only 96 yards passing. The game was delayed for about 12 minutes early in the second quarter when the public address system, the scoreboard, and the lights on the west (pressbox) side of the stadium went out. The lights eventually regained power, but the scoreboard and public address system remained inoperable for the remainder of the game. Notable performances included Army running back Jared Hassin's three touchdowns, 142 yards rushing by EMU's Dwayne Priest, and 126 yards rushing by EMU quarterback Alex Gillett.
For his performance in the game, Dwayne Priest was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Offensive Player of the Week.
Scoring summary
1st quarter
14:56 EMU - Dwayne Priest 5-yard run (Sean Graham kick) 0-7 EMU
6:01 Army - Jared Hassin 3-yard run (Alex Carlton kick) 7-7
2nd quarter
1:00 Army — Jared Hassin 3-yard run (Alex Carlton kick) 14-7 Army
0:35 EMU — Dwayne Priest 5-yard run (Sean Graham kick) 14-14
3rd quarter
14:55 Army - Patrick Mealy 11-yard run (Alex Carlton kick) 21-14 Army
10:30 Army — Alex Carlton 42-yard field goal 24-14 Army
8:25 EMU - Alex Gillett 1-yard run (Sean Graham kick failed) 24-20 Army
4th quarter
3:03 EMU - Ben Thayer 10-yard pass from Alex Gillett (Sean Graham kick) 24-27 EMU 0:44 Army — Jared Hassin 7-yard run (Alex Carlton kick) 31-27 Army
Miami
The RedHawks largely stifled the Eagles' running game, allowing only 66 yards on 32 carries. For Miami, Thomas Merriweather ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries. EMU managed to keep the game close, with the teams trading touchdowns, despite Alex Gillett throwing two interceptions and Devontae Payne throwing another. In the final minute, EMU drove to the Miami 21-yard line, but for the second straight week, was unable to reach the end zone as time expired. EMU sophomore punter Jay Karutz's kicks averaged 49.5 yards, breaking a 54-year-old school record.
For their performances in the game, Miami's Thomas Merriweather was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Offensive Player of the Week, and EMU's Jay Karutz was named the MAC West Division Special Teams Player of the Week. Karutz was also named an honorable mention choice for national Division I punter of the week.
Scoring summary
1st quarter
12:06 M-OH- Thomas Merriweather 23 Yd Run (Trevor Cook Kick) 7-0 M-OH
2:34 EMU- Kinsman Thomas 71 Yd Pass From Josh LeDuc (Sean Graham Kick) 7-7
2nd quarter
11:05 M-OH- Armand Robinson 24 Yd Pass From Zac Dysert (Trevor Cook Kick) 14-7 M-OH 00:28 EMU- LeDuc 11 Yd Pass From Alex Gillett (Sean Graham Kick) 14-14 3rd quarter 6:43 EMU- Thomas 40 Yd Pass From Alex Gillett (Sean Graham Kick) 21-14 EMU 4:00 M-OH- Thomas Merriweather 20 Yd Run (Trevor Cook Kick) 21-21 4th quarter 9:03 M-OH- Thomas Merriweather 9 Yd Run (Trevor Cook Kick) 28-21 M-OH
Central Michigan
Scoring summary
1st quarter
4:13 CMU — Cody Wilson 21-yard pass from Ryan Radcliff (David Harman kick) 7-0 CMU 0:47 CMU — Paris Cotton 13-yard run (David Harman kick) 14-0 CMU
2nd quarter
4:28 EMU — Dwayne Priest 2-yard run (Sean Graham kick) 14-7 CMU
1:45 CMU — Paris Cotton 1-yard run (David Harman kick) 21-7 CMU
3rd quarter
13:30 CMU — Paris Cotton 61-yard run (David Harman kick) 28-7 CMU
8:09 EMU — Donald Scott 52-yard pass from Alex Gillett (Sean Graham kick) 28-14 CMU 4:20 CMU — Kito Poblah 14-yard pass from Ryan Radcliff (David Harman kick) 35-14 CMU