Box score.
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University football team fell, 27-0, to visiting Northern Illinois here Friday afternoon on senior day in Rynearson Stadium. With the loss, Eastern concludes the season with a 1-11 (1-7 Mid-American Conference) record while Northern Illinois finishes at 7-5 (4-3 MAC).
The EMU defense turned in a solid effort forcing four NIU turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble), but had trouble stopping the Huskies' offense which racked up 501 total yards on 82 plays with 240 yards on the ground. In addition, Eastern had problems offensively all game as they only tallied 112 total yards on 42 plays.
Eric Deslauriers (Gatineau, Quebec-Lennoxville College) caught six balls for 28 yards and finished his impressive career holding EMU career records for touchdown receptions (27), receptions (248) and receiving yards (3,250), while finishing seventh in EMU history in career scoring (168). He ranks fifth in MAC history for career receptions (248) and is eighth in league history in receiving yards (3,250).
Dontayo Gage (Pontiac, Mich.-Northern) replaced injured
Tyler Jones (Belleville, Mich.-Belleville) at quarterback, in the second quarter, and went 8-for-15 passing for 55 yards.
Terrence Blevins (Detroit, Mich.-Denby) led EMU in rushing notching 26 yards on seven carries.
"Our defense did a lot of bending, had a fourth down stop, caused turnovers (with all of our offensive issues) and still had us in position to be in the game," EMU head coach Jeff Genyk said. "Our offensive issues were due to a combination of not executing plays and injuries. We had nine players who started games for us in October were not able to play."
Duan Bracey (Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright) led EMU defensively with two interceptions, a forced fumble and five tackles (three solo, two assisted).
Northern Illinois was led by senior running back Garrett Wolfe who rushed for 164 yards on 27 carries with one touchdown before leaving the game early in the third quarter. Sophomore quarterback Dan Nicholson connected on 24-of-37 passes for 261 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Dustin Utschig and Tim McCarthy led NIU defensively with nine tackles each.
"That was a nice win for our football team," said Northern Illinois head coach Joe Novak. "I was a little bit nervous because their (Eastern Michigan) front four is a good as any in our league. I though our kids did a nice job up front and we were able to move the football."
NIU took its opening drive down the EMU 19 yard line but the drive stalled when Wolfe was stopped on a fourth and one run giving the ball back to the Eagles with 7:05 left in the first quarter. EMU was unable to mount a drive and punted to ball back to NIU. The Huskies would not squander its next opportunity as they drove 66 yards capped off by a Wolfe 2-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead at the 3:05 mark of the first quarter.
On its next drive, NIU drove to the EMU 36-yard line but Nicholson's pass was intercepted by Bracey. After another stalled EMU drive, Bracey struck again with his second interception as he ripped the ball away from NIU receiver Britt Davis on a controversial play which was upheld by the replay review.
On the ensuing drive, EMU gave the ball right back as Blevins fumbled and was recovered by NIU at the EMU 30-yard line. The Huskies took advantage of the turnover as Nicholson hit Marcus Perez on a 17-yard touchdown strike to give NIU a 14-0 lead with 3:27 to go in the half.
The Huskies were not done going 79 yards on their next drive capped off by a 4-yard touchdown pass from Nicholson to David Koroniewicz with :54 seconds left in the half to take a commanding 21-0 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, NIU added 32 and 30-yard field goals by Chris Nendick en route to the 27-0 victory.
