Monarchs Come Back to Knock Off EMU in Season Opener

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – On a hot and muggy day, the Eastern Michigan University football team opened up its 2015 campaign at "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium Saturday, Sept. 5, versus Old Dominion University. The Eagles (0-1) took an early lead in the contest and held on until the fourth quarter when the Monarchs (1-0) scored a touchdown with just 1:57 left in the game to seal a 38-34 non-conference decision in favor of ODU.

The contest was not short of offense as both teams went for 400-or-more yards in the season opener. The Eagles outgained Old Dominion, 444-413, but EMU was forced into three turnovers which proved to be the difference in the game.

For the Green and White Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) was a dual threat on the field rushing for 117 yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns, while pulling in five receptions for 67 yards, leading EMU in both categories. In the passing game, Reginald Bell (Los Angeles, Calif.-Susan Miller Dorsey) went 12-of-18 for 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Bell found Dustin Creel (Industry, Pa.-Western Beaver) on both of the touchdown passes.

On the defensive side of the ball, Anthony Zappone (Westlake, Ohio-Westlake) led the Eagles in tackles with 11, while Great Ibe (Philadelphia, Pa.-Meade (Concordia)) recorded nine. The Green and White posted two sacks in the contest as Derric Williams (Lake Orion, Mich.-Lake Orion) and Luke Maclean (Grand Blanc, Mich.-Grand Blanc (Pittsburgh)) each took down the quarterback in the backfield.

Old Dominion's Ray Lawry had a day for the Monarchs, rushing for 223 yards on 28 carries. Lawry made his way into the endzone on four occasions, including a 54 yard touchdown dash. Shuler Bentley went 18-for-32 in passing attempts, tossing for 184 yards in the ODU victory.

After a stout defensive effort, the Eagles forced the Monarchs to punt on the opening possession. Taking over at their own 20-yard line, EMU's running game paced the offense from the get go. A four-play 68-yard drive was highlighted by a 26-yard run by Jackson. With the Green and White's offensive line sealing the ODU defense, Jackson broke through a hole at the line of scrimmage and exploded into the end zone to put the Eagles ahead with 11:50 to play in the first quarter.

On the ensuing ODU drive, the Eagles defense continued to play with tenacity, coming up with several momentum building plays. Following a near-interception by sophomore Juan Giraldo (Gilbert, Ariz.-Mesquite (Mesa C.C.)) on the first play from scrimmage, a tackle for a loss and a batted ball at the line forced the Monarchs to punt.

Taking over on downs, Bell followed a six-yard run by redshirt sophomore Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) with a 38-yard pass to Jackson, giving EMU a first down at the ODU 10-yard line. Looking to double their lead, the Eagles fed the hot-handed Jackson. Taking the handoff from Bell, Jackson bulldozed his way into the end zone.

With the Green and White defense dominating for a majority of the first quarter, ODU made its way into the end zone with 1:31 left in the first quarter. Bentley dropped back in the pocket and found David Washington for a 14-yard touchdown to cut EMU's lead in half.

Heading into the second half with a 14-7 edge, the defensive play of each team kept the score at a standstill for most of the second quarter before the teams traded field goals. After a field goal by ODU with time expiring, EMU headed to the locker room with a 17-7 lead.

EMU wasted little time, capitalizing on its first possession of the second half. Starting the drive at its own 34-yard line, a roughing the passer call against the Monarchs gave EMU a first down shy of midfield. Following a trio of completions, Bell zipped a screen pass to Creel who ran it in from 10-yards out for the score.

The Monarchs responded quickly, breaking away for a long touchdown run in down the sideline on the next possession.

EMU took over, but a fumble was recovered by the Monarchs, giving them the ball at the Eagles' 32-yard line with an opportunity to even the score. With the Eastern defense looking as though it would contain the Monarchs, an untimely pass interference call gave ODU new life. Gifted with first and goal after the Eagles' penalty, the Monarchs ran it up the middle for the touchdown to tie the score at 24.

Continuing to excel on kick-off returns, freshman Devon Russell (Elkton, Md.-Eastern Christian) carried the kick past the EMU 35-yard line before a flag allowed the Eagles to start their drive in ODU territory. Utilizing a dynamic run game, the Eagles rushed their way to first and goal. Coming up empty on their first two downs, Bell dropped back in the pocket looking to pass. Cutting across the end zone, Creel leapt above his defender to catch Bell's pass and give EMU a 31-24 advantage.

Old Dominion needed just four plays on its next drive to erase the Eagles' lead. A pair of carries and a long pass across the middle of the field put the Monarchs inside the EMU 10-yard line with a fresh set of downs. Running it up the middle on a few of the previous plays, Lawry swung outside before leaping across the goal line from two yards out.

Following empty possessions from both teams, the Eagles' Dylan Mulder (Saline, Mich.-Saline) sent a 52-yard field goal through the uprights to put EMU in front 34-31 with 3:40 to play. Mulder's field goal tied the longest in program history while also marking a personal-best and tying for the longest in Rynearson Stadium laurels.

After EMU's Williams' sack forced ODU to punt, it seemed as though the Eagles would run the clock down to an opening day victory. Unfortunately for the Green and White, a holding penalty left the offense facing second and long. Despite two completions by redshirt sophomore Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit), the Eagles were forced to punt on fourth down.

Taking over on downs with 3:02 to play, a 30-yard completion put the Monarchs at the Eagles 46-yard line. After back-to-back stops by the defense, ODU's Lawry exploded for a 45-yard touchdown run. Lawry's breakaway run gave the Monarchs the lead for the first time in the game with 1:49 remaining.

Trailing 38-34 with less than two minutes to play, the Eagles turned to the arm of Roback. Finding redshirt junior Kevin Davis (Indianapolis, Ind.-Warren Central) for a 14-yard reception, Roback converted on fourth down to keep the Eagles rolling. Following up a timely fourth down conversion, Roback completed 3-of-4 passes before his fifth attempt was deflected and intercepted. Spurned by its third turnover of the game, EMU watched as Old Dominion kneeled to end the game.

The Eagles return to the field next Saturday, Sept. 12, when they travel to Laramie, Wyo. to square off with the University of Wyoming. EMU will take on the Cowboys (0-1) at War Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. MT.

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Team Stats

Reginald Bell

Brogan Roback

Eddie Daugherty IV

Players Mentioned

Reginald Bell

Dustin Creel

Kevin Davis

Juan Giraldo

Great Ibe

Darius Jackson

Luke Maclean

Dylan Mulder

Brogan Roback

Devon Russell

Shaq Vann

Derric Williams

Anthony Zappone

Players Mentioned

Reginald Bell

Dustin Creel

Kevin Davis

Juan Giraldo

Great Ibe

Darius Jackson

Luke Maclean

Dylan Mulder

Brogan Roback

Devon Russell

Shaq Vann

Derric Williams

Anthony Zappone

Eastern Michigan Athletics