Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
1-8 , 1-5
Ohio
7-3 , 5-1
Football Falls Short Against Ohio
11/4/2006 5:16:00 PM | Football
Bobcats move into sole possession of the MAC East lead with the victory
Box score.
YPSILANTI, Mich.—The Eastern Michigan University football team put fort a valiant effort but fell, 16-10, to the visiting Ohio Bobcats here Saturday afternoon in Rynearson Stadium. With the loss, Eastern falls to 1-8 (1-5 MAC) while Ohio moves to 7-3 (5-1 MAC).
Although EMU had trouble stopping Ohio's power running game which tallied 278 yards, a costly interception proved to be the difference in the game. To start the second half, Ohio marched down to the EMU 17 yard but elected to go for it on forth and one instead of attempting the go-ahead field goal. The Eagles' defensive front rose to the occasion and stopped Ohio fullback Mitch Morsillo just short of the first-down marker. However, the Eagles' offense could not gain momentum and quickly shifted it back to the Bobcats when Tyler Jones (Belleville, Mich.-Belleville) threw an interception that was returned to Eastern's 22-yard line by OU safety Michael Mitchell. Ohio capitalized on the turnover to take a 16-10 lead on a McRae 11-yard touchdown run.
EMU got the ball back with 6:08 remaining but was unable to move into scoring position and elected to punt. Ohio was able to run out the remaining 4:13 left to secure the 16-10 victory.
"In a game like that, one key mistake can be a factor," EMU head coach Jeff Genyk said. "This is how they (Ohio) wins their game by not making mistakes."
Jones led the Eagles offensively, going 13-for-25 passing for 107 yards while rushing for 62 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown. Senior Eric Deslauriers (Gatineau, Quebec-Lennoxville College) caught four balls for a team high 57 yards.
Defensively for EMU, sophomore linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw (Enid, Okla.-Enid) led the team in tackles with 13 (two solo and 11 assisted).
Ohio was led by junior running back Kalvin McRae who rushed for 141 yards on 23 carries with one touchdown. Senior quarterback Austen Everson also rushed 79 yards and threw for 46 yards. Matt Muncy led Ohio defensively with 10 tackles.
"The interception was huge because it gave us great field position," said Ohio head coach Frank Solich. "We got a nice run back with good blocking along the way so that was a big play."
After a defensive struggle for most of the first quarter, EMU took a 3-0 lead on a 34-yard field goal by Andrew Wellock (Canton, Ohio-Green) at the 3:09 mark to cap off a 11-play 52-yard drive. On the ensuing kickoff, Ohio got an excellent return to the EMU 48-yard line. The Bobcats wasted little time capitalizing on the good field position to tie the game at 3-3 with a 32-yard field goal by Matt Lasher.
After a three and out by the Eagles, Ohio executed a double reverse with wide receiver Scott Mayle taking the pitch 41 yards for a touchdown. The extra point attempt hit the goal post giving Ohio a 9-3 lead at the 12:34 mark of the second quarter.
On the next EMU possession, Jones hit Deslauriers for a 41 yard strike down to the Ohio 12 yard line. Jones capped off the 11 play 83-yard drive with a one yard touchdown run to give The Eagles a 10-9 lead with 4:40 remaining in the half.
The Eagles will host Navy in the Collegiate Clash at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. Saturday, Nov. 11. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
Team Stats
OHIO 0, EMU 3
EMU - WELLOCK, Andrew 34 yd field goal 11 plays, 52 yards, TOP 4:22
OHIO 3, EMU 3
OHIO - LASHER, Matt 34 yd field goal 6 plays, 32 yards, TOP 2:46
OHIO 9, EMU 3
OHIO - MAYLE, Scott 41 yd run (LASHER, Matt kickfailed), 1 plays, 41 yards, TOP 0:25
OHIO 9, EMU 10
EMU - JONES, Tyler 1 yd run (WELLOCK, Andrew kick), 11 plays, 83 yards, TOP 4:40
OHIO 16, EMU 10
OHIO - McRAE, Kalvin 11 yd run (LASHER, Matt kick), 4 plays, 22 yards, TOP 2:00
