Eastern Michigan Athletics

Photo by: Eastern Michigan University Athletics
Eagles Fall to Zips, 31-6, in Mid-American Conference Opener
10/4/2014 5:31:00 PM | Football
Rob Bolden and Tyler Allen combined for an EMU touchdown in the second-straight game
Creighton Postgame Audio.
Rob_Boldin Postgame Audio.
Photo Gallery.
AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team suffered a 31-6 loss to the University of Akron Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4. The Eagles (1-4, 0-1 MAC) scored the game's first touchdown, but the Zips (3-2, 1-0 MAC) rattled off 31 unanswered points in the first Mid-American Conference game of the season for both teams.
In his second start as an Eagle, senior quarterback Rob Bolden (Orchard Lake, Mich.-Orchard Lake St. Mary's-Penn State-Louisiana State) orchestrated a 78-yard touchdown drive on EMU's first drive of the game. The Orchard Lake, Mich. native found Tyler Allen (Lansing, Mich.-Eastern) in the corner of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown pass that gave Eastern the early 6-0 lead. For the game, Bolden finished with 185 yards through the air on 17-of-29 passing.
Allen led the EMU receiving corps with a personal-best five catches for 52 yards that included the 18-yard touchdown reception. Out of the backfield, Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) caught a pair of passes for 39 yards, including a 32-yarder, for a new career high. Kris Strange (Pickerington, Ohio-Central) chipped in with a 25-yard catch, the longest of his career. The career days continued for the Eastern receivers as Kray'shawn Brewer (Indianapolis, Ind.-North Central-Glendale C.C.-Indiana) made the first three receptions of his career for 10 yards. On the ground Bronson Hill (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Catholic Central) and Ryan Brumfield (Chester Springs, Pa.-Owen J. Robert) paced the EMU rushing attack with 34 and 25 yards, respectively. Defensively, freshman safety Jason Beck (Indianapolis, Ind.-Arsenal Technical) tallied a team-best and career-high 10 tackles.
Akron quarterback Kyle Pohl went 27-of-40 for 326 yards and two touchdowns through the air. L.T. Smith was Pohl's favorite receiver as the duo accounted for 10 hookups for 117 yards and a touchdown. Conor Hundley carried the ball eight times for a team-high 61 yards, while backup quarterback Tommy Woodson added 60 yards rushing on six attempts.
After holding the Zips on their opening drive, Eastern turned around and marched down the field for the game's first score. Making his second consecutive start, Bolden led the Eagles on an 11-play 78-yard drive in 3:51, capped off by an 18-yard completion from Bolden to Allen. Hill rushed for 22 yards on the drive, while Bolden also carried the ball twice for 17 yards. The effective running game set up the touchdown pass as Allen hauled in his second scoring reception in as many games. Following the touchdown, a botched snap led to a failed PAT to keep the score 6-0 in favor of the Green and White.
Following an exchange of punts by both teams, including a career-long 63-yard boot by Eastern's Owen Dubiel (East Jackson, Mich.-East Jackson) that pinned Akron at its own nine-yard line, the Zips took their first lead of the game. UA went 91 yards in 10 plays as Pohl found the pylon on a keeper from five yards out. A converted extra point gave the home team a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Looking to regain the lead, the Eagles had quality field position to do so thanks to a career-long 50-yard punt return by Jaleel Canty (Lansing, Mich.-Everett). However, a 40-yard field goal attempt fell short into the teeth of the gusty wind as Akron kept its one-point advantage. Using the wind on the other side of the field, Robert Stein hit a 32-yard field goal just before the end of the half. After a Bolden interception put Akron in the red zone, the EMU defense stood tall to force the field goal and go into the locker room trailing by just a 10-6 margin.
Bolden was 4-for-7 for 59 yards in the opening half with his longest pass 25 yards to Strange. For the Eagles' defense, Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill.-St. Rita) and Anthony Zappone (Westlake, Ohio-Westlake) each recorded a sack and continued putting pressure on the Zips' quarterback throughout the first 30 minutes of play.
UA held a slight advantage in yards at the half, 180-122. Pohl led the Zips' offense by throwing for 147 yards on 13-of-22 passing. L.T. Smith caught four passes for 52 yards, while Zach D'Orazio added 47 yards on three catches. The Eastern defense kept the Akron running game in-check, limiting the home team to just 30 yards on 12 carries.
Akron increased its lead with a touchdown on its first drive of the second half. The Zips drove 70 yards down the field on seven plays in just under two minutes. Hundley rumbled up the middle for a 28-yard touchdown to increase the difference to double digits. UA added another score, taking a 24-6 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Zips found the endzone once in the fourth quarter to complete the game's final margin.
After more than a month on the road, Eastern Michigan returns to "The Factory" for a homecoming contest Saturday, Oct. 11, against the University at Buffalo. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN3. The game will be the 87th Homecoming game in school history.
Rob_Boldin Postgame Audio.
Photo Gallery.
AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team suffered a 31-6 loss to the University of Akron Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4. The Eagles (1-4, 0-1 MAC) scored the game's first touchdown, but the Zips (3-2, 1-0 MAC) rattled off 31 unanswered points in the first Mid-American Conference game of the season for both teams.
In his second start as an Eagle, senior quarterback Rob Bolden (Orchard Lake, Mich.-Orchard Lake St. Mary's-Penn State-Louisiana State) orchestrated a 78-yard touchdown drive on EMU's first drive of the game. The Orchard Lake, Mich. native found Tyler Allen (Lansing, Mich.-Eastern) in the corner of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown pass that gave Eastern the early 6-0 lead. For the game, Bolden finished with 185 yards through the air on 17-of-29 passing.
Allen led the EMU receiving corps with a personal-best five catches for 52 yards that included the 18-yard touchdown reception. Out of the backfield, Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) caught a pair of passes for 39 yards, including a 32-yarder, for a new career high. Kris Strange (Pickerington, Ohio-Central) chipped in with a 25-yard catch, the longest of his career. The career days continued for the Eastern receivers as Kray'shawn Brewer (Indianapolis, Ind.-North Central-Glendale C.C.-Indiana) made the first three receptions of his career for 10 yards. On the ground Bronson Hill (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Catholic Central) and Ryan Brumfield (Chester Springs, Pa.-Owen J. Robert) paced the EMU rushing attack with 34 and 25 yards, respectively. Defensively, freshman safety Jason Beck (Indianapolis, Ind.-Arsenal Technical) tallied a team-best and career-high 10 tackles.
Akron quarterback Kyle Pohl went 27-of-40 for 326 yards and two touchdowns through the air. L.T. Smith was Pohl's favorite receiver as the duo accounted for 10 hookups for 117 yards and a touchdown. Conor Hundley carried the ball eight times for a team-high 61 yards, while backup quarterback Tommy Woodson added 60 yards rushing on six attempts.
After holding the Zips on their opening drive, Eastern turned around and marched down the field for the game's first score. Making his second consecutive start, Bolden led the Eagles on an 11-play 78-yard drive in 3:51, capped off by an 18-yard completion from Bolden to Allen. Hill rushed for 22 yards on the drive, while Bolden also carried the ball twice for 17 yards. The effective running game set up the touchdown pass as Allen hauled in his second scoring reception in as many games. Following the touchdown, a botched snap led to a failed PAT to keep the score 6-0 in favor of the Green and White.
Following an exchange of punts by both teams, including a career-long 63-yard boot by Eastern's Owen Dubiel (East Jackson, Mich.-East Jackson) that pinned Akron at its own nine-yard line, the Zips took their first lead of the game. UA went 91 yards in 10 plays as Pohl found the pylon on a keeper from five yards out. A converted extra point gave the home team a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Looking to regain the lead, the Eagles had quality field position to do so thanks to a career-long 50-yard punt return by Jaleel Canty (Lansing, Mich.-Everett). However, a 40-yard field goal attempt fell short into the teeth of the gusty wind as Akron kept its one-point advantage. Using the wind on the other side of the field, Robert Stein hit a 32-yard field goal just before the end of the half. After a Bolden interception put Akron in the red zone, the EMU defense stood tall to force the field goal and go into the locker room trailing by just a 10-6 margin.
Bolden was 4-for-7 for 59 yards in the opening half with his longest pass 25 yards to Strange. For the Eagles' defense, Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill.-St. Rita) and Anthony Zappone (Westlake, Ohio-Westlake) each recorded a sack and continued putting pressure on the Zips' quarterback throughout the first 30 minutes of play.
UA held a slight advantage in yards at the half, 180-122. Pohl led the Zips' offense by throwing for 147 yards on 13-of-22 passing. L.T. Smith caught four passes for 52 yards, while Zach D'Orazio added 47 yards on three catches. The Eastern defense kept the Akron running game in-check, limiting the home team to just 30 yards on 12 carries.
Akron increased its lead with a touchdown on its first drive of the second half. The Zips drove 70 yards down the field on seven plays in just under two minutes. Hundley rumbled up the middle for a 28-yard touchdown to increase the difference to double digits. UA added another score, taking a 24-6 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Zips found the endzone once in the fourth quarter to complete the game's final margin.
After more than a month on the road, Eastern Michigan returns to "The Factory" for a homecoming contest Saturday, Oct. 11, against the University at Buffalo. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN3. The game will be the 87th Homecoming game in school history.
Team Stats
EMU
AKRON
Total Yards
279
552
Pass Yards
185
355
Rushing Yards
94
197
Penalty Yards
60
124
1st Downs
18
27
3rd Downs
5
6
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
26:06
33:54
1st Quarter

EMU 6, AKRON 0
EMU - ALLEN, Tyler 18 yd pass from BOLDEN, Rob (GIBSON, David rushfailed) 11 plays, 78 yards, TOP 3:51

EMU 6, AKRON 7
AKRON - POHL, Kyle 5 yd run (STEIN, Robert kick), 10 plays, 91 yards, TOP 3:52
2nd Quarter

EMU 6, AKRON 10
AKRON - STEIN, Robert 32 yd field goal 4 plays, 3 yards, TOP 1:34
3rd Quarter

EMU 6, AKRON 17
AKRON - HUNDLEY, Conor 28 yd run (STEIN, Robert kick), 7 plays, 70 yards, TOP 1:59

EMU 6, AKRON 24
AKRON - SMITH, L.T. 24 yd pass from POHL, Kyle (STEIN, Robert kick) 11 plays, 76 yards, TOP 5:00
4th Quarter

EMU 6, AKRON 31
AKRON - RITOSSA, A. 15 yd pass from POHL, Kyle (STEIN, Robert kick) 8 plays, 88 yards, TOP 3:20
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
Players Mentioned
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