The 2011 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team represented Eastern Michigan University during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Eastern Michigan competed as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division, were coached by Ron English, and played their homes game at Rynearson Stadium. They finished the season 6–6, 4–4 in MAC play to finish in a tie for fourth place in the West Division. Despite being 6–6, the Eagles were not bowl eligible because two of their wins came against FCS teams. The 6 wins were the most wins the school had since 1995 when they also had 6 wins.
Before the season
Previous season
The Eagles posted a 2–10 record in 2010, Ron English's second season as head coach, losing all four non-conference games and stretching their losing streak to 18 games before winning an overtime game at Ball State and another game at Buffalo in the latter part of the season.
Personnel
Pre-season expectations
In the 2011 Mid-American Conference media poll, the Eagles were picked to finish in last place in the West Division, where they finished the past two seasons.
Post-season honors
Following the 2011 Mid-American Conference football season, five players were named to All-MAC teams, the most for EMU since 1996, though none were named to the first team. Senior defensive lineman Brad Ohrman was named to the second team, while sixth-year senior defensive back Latarrius Thomas, junior tight end Garrett Hoskins, junior linebacker Justin Cudworth, and sophomore defensive back Marlon Pollard were all named to the third team. After leading the Eagles to their winningest season in 15 years, Ron English was named the MAC Coach of the Year.
Senior offensive lineman Bridger Buche and senior defensive lineman Brad Ohrman are considered the top pro prospects from the team.
Schedule
Game summaries
Howard
EMU's opening game was originally scheduled for 7 pm on Saturday, September 3. Due to severe storms in the area, which caused problems at football games throughout the Midwest, including the cancellation of the Western Michigan at University of Michigan game near the end of the third quarter, the kickoff was first postponed until 8:30 PM, then to 9:30 PM, and finally to noon on Sunday, with free admission offered. After a slow start by the EMU offense, which saw junior quarterback Alex Gillett throw an interception returned for a touchdown on the Eagles' first offensive play, EMU took charge of the game in the second quarter, scoring touchdowns on four of their next five drives while holding Howard to just 13 net yards on their next six possessions. EMU's offense was led by running backs Dominique Sherrer and Javonti Greene, each gained 120 yards and a touchdown in 14 carries, while Justin Cudworth led EMU's defense with 13 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.
Scoring summary
1st quarter
10:54 Howard – Julien David 29-yard interception return (two-point conversion failed) 0–6 Howard 7:43 EMU – Kody Fulkerson 45-yard field goal 3–6 Howard 2:23 Howard – Parker Munoz 39-yard field goal 3–9 Howard
2nd quarter
14:53 EMU – Kody Fulkerson 31-yard field goal 6–9 Howard
11:31 EMU – Garrett Hoskins 25-yard pass from Alex Gillett (Kody Fulkerson kick) 13–9 EMU 1:31 EMU – Javonti Greene 1-yard run (Kody Fulkerson kick) 20–9 EMU 0:56 EMU – Alex Gillett 14-yard run (Kody Fulkerson kick) 27–9 EMU
3rd quarter
14:05 EMU – Dominique Sherrer 77-yard run (Kody Fulkerson kick) 34–9 EMU
4th quarter
3:13 EMU – Joe Fleming 9-yard pass from Alex Gillett (Kody Fulkerson kick) 41–9 EMU
Alabama State
Scoring summary
1st quarter
2:47 EMU – Nick Olds 13-yard pass from Alex Gillett (Kody Fulkerson kick) 7–0 EMU
2nd quarter
None
3rd quarter
11:42 EMU – Dominique Sherrer 6-yard run (Kody Fulkerson kick) 14–0 EMU
5:18 Alabama State – T.C. McWilliams 22-yard pass from Devin Dominguez (Bobby Wenzig kick) 14–7 EMU
4th quarter
None
At Michigan
Scoring summary
1st quarter
None
2nd quarter
14:55 EMU – Kody Fulkerson 21-yard field goal 3–0 EMU
9:28 Michigan – Kevin Koger 9-yard pass from Denard Robinson (Brendan Gibbons kick) 3–7 Michigan 0:39 Michigan – Denard Robinson 11-yard run (Brendan Gibbons kick) 3–14 Michigan
3rd quarter
9:17 Michigan – Fitzgerald Toussaint 1-yard run (Brendan Gibbons kick) 3–21 Michigan 1:05 Michigan – Drew Dileo 19-yard pass from Denard Robinson (Brendan Gibbons kick)3–28 Michigan