Eastern Michigan players smash a cinder block wall before their game against Western Michigan at Rynearson Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2017. MLive file photo

YPSILANTI -- Eastern Michigan University's football team begins its 127th season of play on Friday at home against Football Championship Subdivision opponent Monmouth.

The Eagles are coming off a disappointing 5-7 season, where six of those losses were by seven points or fewer.

However, the team returns several key starters from last year, including seven on defense and five on offense.

Below is everything to know about EMU's upcoming season and home opener.

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Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton watches his team during their game against Western Michigan at Rynearson Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2017. MLive file photo

Head coach

Chris Creighton enters his fifth year as the Eagles' head coach, posting a 15-34 record. He guided EMU to an appearance in the Bahamas Bowl in 2016, the team's first bowl game in 29 years.

He previously was the head coach for six years at Drake University (44-22 record), seven years at Wabash College (63-15) and four years at Ottawa University in Kansas (32-9).

RELATED: Inside Chris Creighton's world coaching journey

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Starting QB yet to be named

With the graduation of three-year starting quarterback Brogan Roback, who is now with the Cleveland Browns, the Eagles have had several players competing for the starting job since spring practices.

Tyler Wiegers, a graduate transfer from Iowa, and junior Mike Glass III, a transfer from Southwestern college, are listed as the top two quarterbacks on the depth chart, but Creighton said he won't reveal his starter until the team's offense takes the field on Friday.

Sophomore Isaac Stiebeling is the only quarterback on the roster to throw a pass in an Eagles uniform. He appeared in two games last season, completing 8 of 17 passes for 49 yards.

"People will find out who it the starter is going to be on Aug. 31," Creighton said on Monday. "My four years here and coaching quarterbacks prior to that for a couple decades, (I've learned) that sometimes it is rare to have one quarterback go through 14, 15 weeks of a season.

"The biggest thing for me isn't who takes the first play. It is that you have more than one guy who is capable of leading you to victory. We feel good about that."

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Eastern Michigan receiver Eddie Daugherty (40) catches a pass during their game against Western Michigan at Rynearson Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2017. MLive file photo

New faces at receiver

Whoever will be taking snaps behind center will be throwing to a group of inexperienced receivers. The Eagles graduated their top three receivers, including All-Mid-American Conference first-team honoree Sergio Bailey II, who caught 54 passes for 878 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

Junior Mathew Sexton, who had 26 catches for 357 yards last year, is expected to take on a larger role, while junior tight end Bryce Kemp, who had 119 receiving yards last year, might see some more targets.

The Eagles also moved senior running back Blake Banham to receiver, which should give them another threat in the slot.

Creighton said some of the five freshmen receivers could see the field this season as well.

"It was a concern going back to Nov. 21 when four seniors graduated, four guys who have played," Creighton said. "It has been a huge area of concentration, both in development and recruiting.

"I'll tell you what, camp has been good. It really has. We have had people step up and step in who weren't with our program the past year. That is a lot of production that gradated but I feel good about our receiver group."

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EMU's Jeremiah Harris (90), right, talks with a teammate along the sideline during the spring game at Rynearson Stadium on Saturday, April 8, 2017. MLive file photo

Leaders on defense

The Eagles have to replace their two starting interior linemen, but they return their two All-MAC outside pass-rushers in Maxx Crosby and Jeremiah Harris.

Crosby finished third in the conference last season with 12 sacks, while Harris had six despite missing the last game of the season after tearing his ACL.

He is expected to play on Friday.

"With my injury and how it happened, I was really determined to get back out there for this first game," he said. "Rehab has been grueling, dealing with tendinitis a little bit, but I have always kept my focus. I'm thankful to be able to play another season."

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Eastern Michigan running back Ian Eriksen (25) runs the ball during their game against Western Michigan at Rynearson Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2017. MLive file photo

Entire backfield returns

The Eagles return their entire backfield for the second straight season. Senior Ian Eriksen led the team with 810 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 179 attempts last season, while senior Shaq Vann carried 113 times for 520 yards and three scores.

Junior Breck Turner added 118 rushing yards and a touchdown on 31 carries.

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Western Michigan wide receiver Luke Sanders (83) looks to catch a pass during their game against Eastern Michigan at Rynearson Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2017. MLive file photo

Strong secondary

The Eagles return starters Kevin McGill, Justin Moody and Ross Williams in their secondary that allowed the second-fewest passing yards in the MAC last season.

All-MAC first-team linebacker Brody Hoying also is back after leading the nation with four fumble recoveries last season.

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Scouting Monmouth

Monmouth, which is in West Long Branch, New Jersey, returns 16 starters from last year's team that finished 9-3.

It is predicted to finish second in the Big South Conference preseason poll.

The Hawks return 93 percent of their offensive scoring from last season's team that led the conference with 32.8 points per game. Running back Pete Guerriero led the Big South with 1,061 rushing yards and also scored nine touchdowns.

Quarterback Kenji Bahar returns for his junior season after throwing for 2,368 yards, 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last year.

He has his top target back in Reggie White Jr., who finished second in the Big South with 874 receiving yards on 74 catches. He also had eight touchdown receptions.

The Hawks will have to replace several key pieces on defense, most notably tackles leader Mike Basile and sacks leader Manny Maragoto.

Kevin Callahan is entering his 26th season as the head coach at Monmouth, owning a 144-118 record. His 144 victories rank 10th among active FCS coaches.

"I know they are really good," Creighton said. "They have a veteran staff that has been together. They were a really talented team last year and essentially have their entire offense back other than the center. I am well aware of the fact that they don't think they are playing in a game well over their heads."

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Eastern Michigan running back Breck Turner (33) celebrates his touchdown during their game against Western Michigan at Rynearson Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2017. MLive file photo

Closing out games

Creighton and the players know their season could have turned out differently if they ended up on the winning side of some of their games last year. Their seven losses came by a combined 35 points, with three coming in overtime.

The team came up with a "focus, fight and finish" motto this season with an emphasis on closing out games.

"I don't necessarily think there will be much of a difference in terms of tight games," Creighton said. "I think the way that we are built, we are going to be in a lot of tight games. I think the difference is the guys came up with, 'Focus, fight, finish,' so it is not just the end of the games where we are going to be in tight games.

"Our finishes are going to be critical. Those four or five key plays getting up to that point, then making plays, being disciplined, being smart, and again, guys making plays at the end will be the difference."

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EMU's Kevin McGill (23) catches a pass during the spring game at Rynearson Stadium on Saturday, April 8, 2017. MLive file photo

Preseason poll

EMU is predicted to finish fourth in the MAC West in both the preseason media and coaches poll.

Northern Illinois is the favorite in both polls to win the division, followed by Toledo and Western Michigan.

Ohio was picked to win the MAC East in both polls.

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Team captains

Harris has been named a team captain for the second straight season. He is joined by Banham and senior offensive lineman Jimmy Leatiota (second-team All-MAC in 2017) and senior linebacker Kyle Rachwal.

"Starting with Blake, people outside of the program may or may not know we came in together," said Creighton, sitting next to Banham and Harris. "He walked onto the program, and to make a really long story short, earned a scholarship a couple of years ago and now has been voted by coaches and staff as a team captain. I think that speaks louder than anything I can say right now."

"For 'Jerry' to be voted a captain twice, you really have to be the real deal to have that happen. He has proven once again how authentic he is as a leader by having to endure all the rehab of his ACL surgery from the end of last season. To lead by not being out there, and sometimes whether you feel sorry for yourself or you are just not in the fray, you can be forgotten to some degree, but that's absolutely not the case with Jeremiah."

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Eastern Michigan fans cheer on a touchdown that was later called back during their game against Western Michigan at Rynearson Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2017. MLive file photo

Ticket info

Individual game ticket prices for every home game are $20 if purchased in advance or $24 on the day of the game. Kids ticket prices are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the game.

EMU students can get into the games for free. General parking is free for everyone.

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Eastern Michigan linebackers Kyle Rachwal (51) and Ike Spearman (9) celebrate a stop during their game against Western Michigan at Rynearson Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2017. MLive file photo

2018 schedule

Aug. 31: vs. Monmouth

Sept. 8: at Purdue

Sept. 15: at Buffalo

Sept. 22: at San Diego State

Sept. 29: Northern Illinois

Oct. 6: at Western Michigan

Oct. 13: Toledo

Oct. 20: at Ball State

Oct. 27: Army

Nov. 3: Central Michigan

Nov. 10: Akron

Nov. 23: at Kent State

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Further reading

EMU football players focused in midst of athletics funding criticism

EMU to receive $800K for moving football game to Kentucky

Eastern Michigan all-time passing touchdowns leader signs with Cleveland Browns

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Eastern Michigan answers the question: Why not cut football?

EMU's Chris Creighton: We 'nailed' 2018 National Signing Day

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