Being cast into the role of emergency starter is nothing new for Kyle McMahon. Alex Gillett is warming to the idea.

The two Eastern Michigan quarterbacks who started the season as backups understand they have no choice but to be ready to step into the spotlight as the Eagles begin Mid-American Conference play on Saturday against Temple.

When senior Andy Schmitt was lost for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Michigan, McMahon and Gillett were thrust into a two-week crash course in team leadership.

"It's just like you're preparing every year, every snap," McMahon said Tuesday. "The next snap could be THE snap. So your mentality has to be the same - you don't know if you're going in for a play (following an injury) or whether you go in - in this case - the remainder of the season - you have to be ready.

"You always have to expect the worst, even though no one hopes for it."

McMahon, a junior, has been in this position before. Last season, the 6-foot-3, 204-pound quarterback made two starts due to Schmitt injuries before a shoulder injury ended McMahon's season, forcing him to miss the final seven games.

Initially, there were plans to possibly redshirt McMahon this season, giving him two full years as Eastern's starter after Schmitt graduated. That changed when Schmitt was injured.

"I was going to do anything to help the program," McMahon said. "Whether I was going to play this year or whether I was going to redshirt, it didn't really matter."

Gillett, a freshman, finished the Michigan game, completing two of four passes for 9 yards and rushing for 36 yards on six carries in the 45-17 loss.

And while Gillett doesn't have the experience McMahon does, he is expected to see playing time when Eastern Michigan (0-3) hosts Temple (1-2) in its MAC opener at Rynearson Stadium.

As of Tuesday, Eagles first-year coach Ron English hadn't made a final determination of who will start against the Owls. Both McMahon and Gillett will get their chance to run Eastern's offense, but English isn't inclined to move forward with a two-quarterback system in place.

English believes that his team - which is coming off a bye week - is prepared to move on without its experienced offensive captain.

"They've been pretty resilient so far," English said after Tuesday's practice. "I think these kids have been used to it because Andy's been hurt before and Kyle has played. But it's football, and that's the way it is.

"I love Andy, but you have to get your team ready to go."

And for the Eagles, that means playing the remaining nine games with either McMahon or Gillett taking over as the offensive leader. Both said they will rely on Schmitt as more of a coach now.

"It's a sad situation to be in, but I'm just going to have to go out there and do my best if I get in anymore," Gillett said. "(Schmitt) has been nothing but help to all of us ... he's definitely willing to help, and I'm definitely going to ask a lot of questions."

English said he likely won't make a decision on his starter until Thursday. The Owls are coming off a 37-13 win over Buffalo. They held the Bulls to a pair of field goals until the fourth quarter despite giving up 380 yards of total offense.

Now, it's up to McMahon and Gillett to help try and deliver Eastern's first victory.

"This is still his football team - he's still the captain of this football team," McMahon said of Schmitt. "All of wanted Andy on the field and we all have to push a little bit harder - if for nothing else - for him."

Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2554 or jeffarnold@annarbor.com