Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
1-1-0
Michigan State
1-1-0
Football Falls to Michigan State, 42-10
9/6/2008 3:36:00 PM | Football, E-Gridiron Group
Second half surge pushes the Spartans past the Eagles at Spartan Stadium
Box score.
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EAST LANSING, Mich.— The Eastern Michigan University football team fell to Michigan State University, 42-10, in front of 71,789 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich. The Spartans tallied 418 yards of total offense, including 238 on the ground, compared to 342 for the Eagles.
With the loss the Eagles fall to 1-1 on the young season, while the Spartans even their record at 1-1.
Junior quarterback Andy Schmitt (St. Johns, Mich.-St. Johns) led the Eagles offensively, going 11-for-23 for 111 yards via the air, while rushing for 46 yards. Sophomore quarterback Kyle McMahon (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Pontiac Notre Dame Prep) was also3-of-8 for 108 yards.
Senior tailback Terrence Blevins (Detroit, Mich.-Denby) led the Eagles' rushing attack with nine carries for 54 yards. Defensively, senior safety Jacob Wyatt (Lansing, Mich.-Sexton) led Eastern with 13 tackles, while senior linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw (Enid, Okla.-Enid) added12 tackles.
The Spartans opened up the game on a 14-play, 69-yard drive, however the drive turned disastrous as Javon Ringer fumbled in the end zone, and it was recovered by EMU's Jermaine Jenkins (Saginaw, Mich.-Saginaw) for the touchback. EMU was unable to capitalize though, as MSU was able to force a quick three-and-out situation.
Neither side was able to get their offense in gear until the 1:46 mark of the first quarter, when Ringer bounced off a few would-be tacklers for the four-yard touchdown scamper. Brett Swenson added the PAT to make it 7-0. The score was the first points the Eagles had surrendered this season, after shutting out Indiana State University, 52-0, in the season opener last week (Aug. 28) in Ypsilanti.
Eastern quickly responded with a touchdown of its own on the strength on back-to-back big play performances. Blevins rolled off a 40-yard run to the MSU 40-yard line before Schmitt found a streaking Jacory Stone (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) for a 38-yard pick-up down to the two yard line. Three plays later, Schmitt capped the six play drive with a three-yard touchdown run with 14:52 to go in the second quarter. Joe Carithers (Dacula, Ga.-Palomar J.C.) tacked on a successful PAT to knot it at 7-7.
Michigan State was able to crack the scoreboard with 5:37 left in the half, as Ringer rushed up the middle for a six-yard touchdown run to complete the five play, 28 yard scoring drive. The Spartan PAT was good to make it 14-7.
MSU would tack on Ringer's third rushing touchdown of the half with 1:05 left in the period to put the host Spartans up 21-7 as the teams headed into the lockerroom for the intermission.
Following the break, the momentum started to swing back in the favor of Eastern Michigan, as the Eagles started their second possession on the half on their own three-yard line. Schmitt was able to orchestrate a 13-play, 93 yard drive down to the MSU four-yard line. Carithers lined up for the field goal try, but instead it was a fake by holder Ryan Downard (Lima, Ohio-Shawnee), however, he was stopped at the one-yard line for a turnover-on-downs. Earlier in the drive, Blevins rushed for a four-yard touchdown score but the play was for naught was the Green and White were flagged for holding.
The Spartans would quickly capitalize on the missed EMU scoring opportunity. In workman fashion, MSU would go 99 yards on a scoring drive that wrapped up when Ringer found pay dirt for the fourth time with 2:08 left in the third quarter. The MSU extra point was true to make it 28-7.
Eastern Michigan would get no closer though, as the Spartans captured the 32-point victory, 42-10.
Eastern Michigan returns to the confines of Rynearson Stadium Saturday, Sept. 13, to open the Mid-American Conference portion of the schedule. Kickoff is schedule for noon. Tickets are available by calling the EMU Ticket office, 734.487.2282, or online at EMUEagles.com.
Team Stats
EMU 0, MSU 7
MSU - Ringer, Javon 4 yd run (Swenson, Brett kick), 7 plays, 46 yards, TOP 3:08
EMU 7, MSU 7
EMU - SCHMITT, Andy 3 yd run (CARITHERS, Joe kick), 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 1:54
EMU 7, MSU 14
MSU - Ringer, Javon 6 yd run (Swenson, Brett kick), 5 plays, 28 yards, TOP 2:22
EMU 7, MSU 21
MSU - Ringer, Javon 2 yd run (Swenson, Brett kick), 6 plays, 50 yards, TOP 2:15
EMU 7, MSU 28
MSU - Ringer, Javon 1 yd run (Swenson, Brett kick), 7 plays, 99 yards, TOP 3:03
EMU 7, MSU 35
MSU - Ringer, Javon 2 yd run (Swenson, Brett kick), 3 plays, 7 yards, TOP 1:21
EMU 7, MSU 42
MSU - Leggett, Ashton 4 yd run (Swenson, Brett kick), 10 plays, 76 yards, TOP 4:42
EMU 10, MSU 42
EMU - CARITHERS, Joe 24 yd field goal 6 plays, 68 yards, TOP 3:12
