Eastern Michigan’s losing streak to start the season was extended to four today and its homecoming was spoiled as Temple won 24-12 in the Mid-American Conference game at Rynearson Stadium.
Temple (2-2, 2-0) jumped out to an early lead, scoring 14 straight in the first quarter. Its opening possession was a five-play, 60-yard drive capped by a 16-yard rushing touchdown by tailback Bernard Pierce.
Pierce went on to score on a 3-yard run with 5:07 left in the first quarter. He finished the day with 25 carries for 185 yards and two touchdowns, and his team had 242 yards rushing.
“I don’t know if we’ve stopped (the run) all year,” EMU coach Ron English said. “Stopping the run is really an attitude first, so that’s what the coach has to teach.
“And after that everyone has to know where to fit. And after that they have to be willing to strike and get off blocks. And then after that you have to get numbers to the ball.
“Right now we do none of that consistently, and we give up too many big plays, and therefore the rushing numbers are outrageous.”
Temple continued to score in the second quarter. Quarterback Vaughn Charlton completed a 14-yard scoring pass to Evan Rodriguez to make the score 21-0.
Joe Carithers got EMU on the scoreboard with 9:47 remaining in the second quarter by converting a 38-yard field goal. He went on to make another from 43 yards as time expired in the first half to pull his team within 21-6.
The EMU defense held Temple to a field goal in the second half, but the damage had already been done. The Eagles’ lone touchdown came on a 1-yard run by Terrence Blevins with 1:39 remaining in the game.
Kyle McMahon was the main quarterback for EMU in place of the injured Andy Schmitt, who is out for the season. He was 25-of-36 passing for 230 yards.
