Box score.ATHENS, Ohio – What was expected to be a defensive struggle turned out be an old-fashion shootout here Saturday afternoon at Peden Stadium.
Eastern Michigan University and Ohio University entered the contest averaging 17.8 and 22.8 points per game, respectively. The two teams easily surpassed their average, as Ohio recorded its third victory against four setbacks with a 48-42 victory.
After falling in an early 28-0 hole, the Eagles (2-5, 1-2 MAC) mounted a comeback and were able to pull within six points in the game's waning moments. However, Ohio was able to a recover a late onside kick and run out the clock.
EMU redshirt sophomore Andy Schmitt (St. John's, Mich.-St. John's) equaled his personal best four touchdown passes, the second-best single-game effort in school history. Earlier this season, the St. John's Mich. native tossed four TD passes in the 38-15 victory over Howard, Sept. 22, at Rynearson Stadium. Schmitt completed 20-of-28 passes for 210 yards and his four TD scores were to three different receivers.
Besides Schmitt's stellar day through the air, he also led the Eagles rushing attack with 15 carries for 55 yards Freshman Maurice Goodrum (Detroit, Mich.-Henry Ford) carried the rock nine times for a career-high 54 yards. Junior linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw (Enid, Okla.-Enid) led the team in tackles with 13 (12 assisted, 1 solo).
Senior tailback Kalvin McRae keyed the Bobcat offense with 32 carries for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio quarterback Brad Bower tossed for three scores on 18-of-29 passing for 232 yards.
Thanks to the running of McRae, the Bobcats jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead. The Ohio senior capped off the first possession of the game with a 39-yard scamper to make it 7-0 just 1:19 into the contest. He then ended Ohio's second drive of the game with an eight-yard run. The first quarter onslaught continued when receiver Taylor Price took a reverse and tossed it 22 yards to David Carter in the end zone. The score put Ohio in front 21-0 with 4:08 remaining in the first half.
Ohio would tack on another score before the Eagles were able to answer. A 17-yard scoring pass Schmitt to sophomore Jacory Stone (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) capped a 60-yard drive and get EMU on the board at 28-7 with 9:02 remaining in the half.
Eastern was able to capitalize on a turnover on the subsequent Ohio possession, Sophomore Derrick Hunter (Southfield, Mich.-Southfield) forced a fumble, then scooped it up and sprinted 80 yards for the score, cutting the lead in half, 28-14, with 5:39 left in the second quarter.
Ohio would tack on a 40-yard field goal to make it 31-14 heading into the lockerroom at the half.
Following the intermission, Eastern Michigan was able to cut the Ohio advantage to 10 points with a 38-yard touchdown strike pass from Schmitt to sophomore DeAnthony White (Kennesaw, Ga.-Kell). Sophomore Zach Johnson's (Springboro, Ohio-Springboro) PAT made the score 31-21 with 3:10 left in the third.
The two teams continued to light up the scoreboard, as Bower found Carter for his second score of the day with 5:15 left in the third to make it 38-21. EMU promptly responded with an 80-yard scoring drive, finished off with an eight-yard pass from Schmitt to Stone to pull the deficit back to 10, 38-28, with 3:10 on the clock.
Ohio would once again go up by three scores as Bower tossed a nine-yard touchdown pass with 13:44 left in the game to expand the margin to 45-28. The Eagles would remain within striking distance, however, as Schmitt found sophomore Tyler Jones (Belleville, Mich.-Belleville) for his fourth scoring toss of the game. Johnson added the PAT to make it 45-35 with 9:38 left in the contest.
The Ohio offense was able to tack on three points via a 38-yards field goal with 2:49 remaining. The Eagles then mounted one more scoring drive as "true freshman" quarterback Kyle McMahon (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Pontiac Notre Dame Prep) marched the Eagles 78 yards in 11 plays, capped off with a five-yard touchdown pass to Jones with 1:07 left.
That would prove to be the last tally in the shootout, as the Ohio ran out the clock after recovering the onside kick.
Eastern Michigan returns to non-conference action Friday, Oct. 19, hosting Northwestern University in the annual Collegiate Clash at Ford Field in Detroit. The contest marks the first-time in school history EMU has hosted a team from the Big Ten Conference. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. on ESPNU television.
