Turnovers Plague EMU in 30-7 Setback at Vanderbilt

Box score.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A series of turnovers and miscues were too much for the Eastern Michigan University football team to overcome in a 30-7 non-conference loss to Vanderbilt University here Saturday night in Vanderbilt Stadium. The Eagles were guilty of five interceptions, a missed onsides kick opportunity and an offsides on a missed field goal.

The Commodores took advantage of those Eagles' mistakes to improve their record to 3-1 on the year while EMU falls to 2-3 with a Saturday, Oct. 6, meeting with the University of Michigan on the horizon.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Andy Schmitt (St. John's, Mich.-St. John's) struggled against a solid Southeastern Conference defensive squad, passing for 111 yards and a touchdown on 24 attempts. Schmitt was also intercepted three times on the night. Senior Pierre Walker (Detroit, Mich.-Central) rushed 40 yards on 13 carries. In total the EMU offense racked up just 173 net yards compared to 341 for Vanderbilt.

On the defensive side of the ball, EMU picked off four passes and recovered a pair of fumbles on the night. Junior linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw (Enid, Okla.-Enid) continued to rack up of the tackles, contributing a game-high 13 stops on the night. Senior defensive end Jason Jones (Southfield, Mich.-Lathrup) made his mark with 11 tackles including four blocks for a loss of yardage.

Vanderbilt quarterback Chris Nickson was 14-of-28 passing for 168 yards and a pair of touchdowns. On the ground Nickson contributed 67 yards on 12 rushes to go along with Cassen Jackson-Garrison's 23 carries for 76 yards. Earl Bennett caught a game-best nine passes for 93 yards and a score, while Sean Walker added four catches for 60 yards and a TD.

Vandy got on the board first midway through the first quarter when Bryan Hahnfeldt drilled a 22-yard field goal to make it 3-0. Just two minutes later, Bennett electrified the crowd of 37,220 with a 47-yard touchdown reception from Nickson to give the Commodores a 10-0 lead with 3:03 left in the period.

The score would remain that way until just before the half when VU would try a 51-yard field goal with :05 seconds left in the half. Hahnfeldt's attempt would miss wide left, but EMU was offsides on the play giving Vanderbilt another shot. This time Hahnfeldt would connect on the 45-yard try to push the margin to 13-0 as the teams headed into the lockerroom.

After the intermission the Commodores would add 17-yard touchdown strike from Nickson to Walker to make it 20-0.

EMU's lone score of the night came at the 5:49 mark of the third quarter when senior Travis Lewis (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Loy Norrix) caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Schmitt to cap an 11 play, 70 yard drive. Sophomore Zach Johnson (Springboro, Ohio-Springboro) added the PAT to make it 20-7.

Vanderbilt would tack on a pair of scores en route to the 30-7 victory.

Eastern Michigan will make the seven mile trek down Washtenaw Ave. Saturday, Oct. 6, to Ann Arbor, Mich. to square off with the University of Michigan in a noon tilt.

Next Event

Team Stats

Andy Schmitt

Kyle McMahon

Players Mentioned

Daniel Holtzclaw

Zach Johnson

Jason Jones

Travis Lewis

Andy Schmitt

Pierre Walker

Players Mentioned

Daniel Holtzclaw

Zach Johnson

Jason Jones

Travis Lewis

Andy Schmitt

Pierre Walker

Eastern Michigan Athletics