Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
1-4 , 0-2
Northern Illinois
2-2 , 1-1
EMU Drops Homecoming Tilt to NIU
9/27/2008 4:13:00 PM | Football, E-Gridiron Group
Visiting Huskies shut out Eagles, 37-0
Box score.
Click Here for a Photo Gallery of the Game.
Click Here to Watch EMU's Jeff Genyk's Postgame Press Conference.
Click Here to Watch NIU's Jerry Kill's Postgame Press Conference.
YPSILANTI, Mich. — A visiting Northern Illinois University football team spoiled Homecoming for the Eastern Michigan University football team here Saturday afternoon, Sept. 27, in Rynearson Stadium in a Mid-American Conference West Division battle, defeating the Eagles by a score of 37-0.
Northern Illinois rolled up 339 yards in total offense and raced to a 21-0 halftime lead and came back with a strong defensive effort in the second half to post the 37-0 victory. The shutout was the first for an EMU squad since this same NIU team handed the Eagles a 27-0 shutout in the final game of the 2006 season, Nov. 24.
The loss drops EMU to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in MAC action while Northern Illinois improves 2-2 overall and 1-1 in MAC action.
On offense, junior quarterback Andy Schmitt (St. John's Mich.-St. John's) went 21-of-37 for 140 yards in the air while rushing for 27 yards on the ground. Junior wide receiver Jacory Stone (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) hauled in nine passes for 98 yards, while senior tailback Terrence Blevins (Detroit, MIch.-Denby) gained 32 yards on nine carries for EMU.
Defensively, the Eagles were led by senior linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw (Enid, Okla.-Enid) with 15 stops on the afternoon, while safety Jacob Wyatt (Lansing, Mich.-Sexton) recorded seven tackles.
The Huskies racked up 235 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground, led by Me'co Brown's 111 yards and one touchdown. Justin Anderson rushed for 37 yards and a score, while DeMarcus Grady and Marcus Perez accounted for the other two NIU rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Dan Nicholson completed 11-of-15 passes for 92 yards and one aerial score.
NIU raced out to an early 14-0 lead after the first quarter of play and never looked back. The Eagle offense was slowed after sophomore signal caller Kyle McMahon (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Notre Dame Prep) went down with an injury during the first series. The Huskies scored in every quarter, including a late safety, putting the final margin at 37-0.
Next up for the Eagles is a trip to Bowling Green, Saturday, Oct. 4 to take on the Falcons. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. at Doyt Perry Stadium.
Team Stats
NIU 7, EMU 0
NIU - BROWN, Me'co 26 yd run (SALERNO, Mike kick), 12 plays, 83 yards, TOP 5:35
NIU 14, EMU 0
NIU - GRADY, DeMarcus 9 yd run (SALERNO, Mike kick), 2 plays, 11 yards, TOP 0:47
NIU 21, EMU 0
NIU - PEREZ, Marcus 2 yd run (SALERNO, Mike kick), 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 3:00
NIU 28, EMU 0
NIU - SKARB, Kyle 4 yd pass from NICHOLSON, Dan (SALERNO, Mike kick) 11 plays, 85 yards, TOP 5:30
NIU 35, EMU 0
NIU - ANDERSON, Just. 8 yd run (SALERNO, Mike kick), 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 3:59
NIU 37, EMU 0
NIU - PIRKLE, D.J. 6 yd safety
