Football Edged by Western Michigan, 44-36

Box score.

DETROIT, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University football team fell short to intra-state rival Western Michigan University, 44-36, in an offensive shootout here at the Collegiate Clash held at Ford Field. With the loss, EMU drops to 3-6 overall, 2-4 in the MAC and Western Michigan moves to 6-3 and 4-2 in the MAC standings.

Senior EMU quarterback Matt Bohnet (Grand Ledge, Mich.-Grand Ledge) rallied the Eagles from a 37-17 deficit to pull within one point, 37-36, on a 27-yard touchdown pass to junior Travis Lewis (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Loy Norrix). EMU Head Coach Jeff Genyk elected to go for a two-point conversation attempt which fell short as senior A.J Bennett (Delray Beach, Fla.-Atlantic Community) could not come up with Bohnet's pass on the goal line ending the dramatic comeback. Western Michigan was able to seal the game with a one-yard touchdown run by sophomore Matt Bonds giving the Broncos a 44-36 victory.

Bohnet connected on a school record 39 completions out of 57 pass attempts for career high 398 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore Chris Graham (Detroit, Mich.-Cody) caught a career high two touchdowns, of 25 and nine yards respectively.

"From advantage point, we had Western in several tough situations, but it is the little things that break down and they (Western Michigan) ended up making the plays," said EMU Head Coach Jeff Genyk.

"Our players really believe they can respond and handle any situation which allows us to come back in the game," added Genyk. "At the end, we thought we could get the ball back and score."

For the Eagles offensively, senior Eric Deslauriers (Gatineau, Quebec, Canada-Lennoxville Prep) led EMU's receivers tying a career high with 14 catches for 144 yards and one touchdown. Bennett also caught a career high 13 balls for 122 yards. Lewis notched five grabs for 55 yards and one touchdown.

"You give it one shot," said Western Michigan Head Coach Bill Cubit on EMU's two-point conversion attempt. "If you make it you're a hero, if not, all of a sudden you're not real smart, but, that is coaching."

On the defensive side, the Eagles were led by safeties Rontrell Woodruff (Southfield, Mich.-Lathrop) and Corey Parker (Detroit, Mich.–DePorres) both had 11 tackles.

Western Michigan was led by freshman quarterback Tim Hiller who completed 23-of-31 passes for 243 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Greg Jennings led the team with nine catches for 103 yards with senior Tony Scheffler adding two touchdowns on six receptions for 41 yards.

EMU will be in action next weekend in their final home game of the season verses Ball State on Nov. 12 at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Mich. at 6 p.m. The game will be televised on Comcast Local.

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Team Stats

Matt Bohnet

Players Mentioned

Matt Bohnet

Eric Deslauriers

Travis Lewis

Corey Parker

Rontrell Woodruff

Players Mentioned

Matt Bohnet

Eric Deslauriers

Travis Lewis

Corey Parker

Rontrell Woodruff

Eastern Michigan Athletics