Football Downed at Vanderbilt, 52-6

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team fell to Vanderbilt University, 52-6, Saturday night, Oct. 9, in a non-conference contest here at Vanderbilt Stadium. The Commodores jumped to a 31-3 advantage and never looked back, as VU tallied 558 yards of total offense compared to 209 for the Eagles.

With the setback, Eastern Michigan drops to 0-6, meanwhile, Vanderbilt moved its record to 2-3. The victory also snapped the Commodores seven-game home losing skid, along with extending the Eagles' winless streak against teams from the Southeastern Conference to five in-a-row.

Sophomore quarterback Alex Gillett (Green Springs, Ohio-Clyde) led the Eagles offensively, going 10-for-20 for 99 yards. Senior Tyrone Burke (Syracuse, N.Y.-Corcoran-Milford Academy) caught four balls for 45yards, while tight end Garrett Hoskins (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Creston) grabbed two passes for 41 yards. Junior Corey Welch (Akron, Ohio-Green) picked up 55 yards on 18 carries via the ground.

For Vandy, Warren Stacy carried the ball 14 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns while Zac Stacy added five carries for 90 yards and a score. Quarterback Larry Smith ran the ball six times for 17 yards and a touchdown while going 16-for-27 for 252 yards and two scores via the air.

The Commodores got on the board first thanks enlarge part to special teams play, a 54-yard punt return setup a one-yard touchdown scamper by Smith with just 1:13 gone in the period. The PAT followed by Ryan Fowler to make it 7-0.

The Eagles would answer with a score of their own a 10 play, 72 yard drive, a 22-yard field goal by sophomore Sean Graham (Orchard Lake, Mich.-Orchard Lake St. Marys-Florida State) with 5:51 left in the opening period to make it 7-3.

Vandy was again able to move the ball deep into EMU territory, but failed handoff to the tailback gave the Eagles the ball back at their own 23-yard line. The Green and White, which controlled the football for 11:18 in the first quarter, were unable to convert though having to put the ball back after advancing inside the Commodores 40. On 4th-and-short, Gillett could not connect with a wide open Josh LeDuc (Canton, Mich.-Plymouth) resulting in the ball going back to Vanderbilt on-downs.

Both offenses were unable to shift into high-gear with the sides exchanged punts and field position.

Then early in the second quarter Vanderbilt, which had less than 60 yards of total offense, changed the tempo and the momentum by moving the ball 84 yards in just six plays. A 19-yard rush up the middle by Warren Norman into pay dirt and the ensuing PAT made it 14-3 with 10:13 left before the intermission.

A fumble quickly gave the ball back to the 'Dores inside Eagle territory, however, Vanderbilt would have to settle for only for a 22-yard field goal despite the great starting field position.

Vandy would tack on two more scores before the half to take a 31-3 lead into the lockerroom, Smith found Udom Umoh for a 65-yard touchdown strike at the 4:21 mark and again hooked up with Mason Johnston for a two-yard touchdown pass with 22 seconds remaining.

Things continued to roll in favor of Vanderbilt during the second half, as the lead grew to as many as 46 points.

Eastern returns to Mid-American Conference action Saturday, Oct. 16, against West Division rival Ball State University. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Ind. WEMU (89.1 FM) and WCHB (1200 AM) will carry the game on the radio with All-MACess video streaming the game via MAC-Sports.com.

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Team Stats

Alex Gillett

Devontae Payne

Players Mentioned

Tyrone Burke

Alex Gillett

Sean Graham

Garrett Hoskins

Josh LeDuc

Corey Welch

Players Mentioned

Tyrone Burke

Alex Gillett

Sean Graham

Garrett Hoskins

Josh LeDuc

Corey Welch

Eastern Michigan Athletics