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first game. But for quarterback Alex Gillett, the opportunity came much earlier than expected. During the third game of the 2009 season, starting quarterback Andy Schmitt suffered a season-ending knee injury. Eagles head coach Ron English selected Gillett, a freshman, to step in and lead the offense. This wasn’t exactly a no-pressure situation. Eastern was playing the University of Michigan before more than 100,000 fans in Ann Arbor. “Truthfully, going into my
Eagles QB Alex Gillett seeks to broaden his playbook E
very football recruit is eager for the chance to play his
(1633 yards) and rushing (766 yards, or 4.28 per carry). He threw 13 touchdown passes and ran for five, but he also tossed 13 interceptions. By season’s end, Gillett knew he needed to improve his passing skills.
“I was more of a runner
freshman season, I thought I’d spend most of my time on the sidelines,” says Gillett, a biology major from Green Springs, Ohio. “Being thrown into that game was a nervous and exhilarating experience. After the first play was over, I don’t really remember much about that game. The experience just washed over me.” Eastern lost that game 45-17, but it marked the beginning of a valuable period of experience-building for Gillett—learning how to deal with adversity while developing his strengths as an athlete and leader. Gillett played in nine games in 2009 and started the season’s final three games. He started all 12 games last season and emerged as a dual threat by leading the team in passing
last year, so I’ve really worked on throwing extra to make myself the best all-around quarterback I can be,” Gillett said prior to the team’s summer training camp. “I’m definitely trying to improve my accuracy and arm strength. I also think having greater knowledge of the game will help me become a better QB. I feel more comfortable with every snap.” Coach English has worked
on developing a more robust running game to help take the pressure off Gillett. He’s also noticed the extra effort Gillett has invested in developing an all-around game. “What I like best about
Alex is his decision making as a quarterback,” English says. “He did a fantastic job during the spring [practices] and his throwing accuracy has improved. I think as he enters the second half of his collegiate career, he’ll become tougher to deal with defensively. Defenders already find him tough because of his ability to run the football.” Personal high points are
hard to come by when your team has gone 2-22. The game
that stands out most for Gillett is last season’s exciting 41-38 overtime win against Ball State, the first for Gillett and Coach English. Dealing with adversity is something new for Gillett, who excelled in high school football, basketball, baseball and track. “I’ve never been on a team
that has experienced this much adversity from a win- loss standpoint,” Gillett says. “Keeping a positive attitude is tough sometimes, especially when you’re not winning games. You just have to pick your teammates up as much as you can. “I’m in the enviable position
of having a lot of experience to build upon. I played as a freshman and started all the games last season. So you could say that I’m seasoned as I enter my junior year, because
I’ve already been through the tough times.” During training camp,
Eagles players wore wrist bands with the slogan “Pay the Price.” While some might say the team has already been through enough adversity, Gillett says the slogan reaffirms that success comes only with hard, sustained effort. “Every player has to work
just as hard as his teammates to become a better competitor and win games,” he says. “We’re confident that we’ll play well this year and raise the bar on our performance. “I’m trying to get better
at leading by example. I’m not feeling any particular pressure from outside or within the team to win. Most of the pressure comes from within—to become the best quarterback I can be.”
By the Numbers Games started as a freshman and sophomore
GPA while majoring in biology
Offensive yards gained his first two seasons, the 6th highest total in EMU history
As in Oct. 22, when the Eagles take on Western Michigan on Homecoming day
6 Eastern | FALL 2011
Photograph by Scott Stewart
315.6 22nd
3,646
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