The Eastern Michigan University football team continued its slide in a 52-14 pounding at the hands of Central Michigan on Saturday in Ypsilanti.
“When you get blown out there really aren’t a lot of positives,” said coach Ron English, whose team has lost 15 in a row.
Central Michigan (2-1) took advantage of a vulnerable Eagles’ run defense all game. Rushing for 269 yards on 46 attempts, the Chippewas scored four rushing touchdowns, three coming from starting tailback Paris Cotton, who ran 21 times for 209 yards.
Cotton’s longest rush came at the beginning of the third quarter on a 61-yard burst on third and 1.
Cotton’s touchdown seemed to deflate the Eagles and the already weary student section.
CMU quarterback Ryan Radcliff was 15-of-23 passing, for 253 yards and two touchdowns.
Eastern did nothing to help itself on offense.
Dwayne Priest rushed 16 times for 49 yards and one touchdown. The Eagles (0-3, 0-2 Mid-American Conference) switched between quarterbacks Devontae Payne and Alex Gillett throughout the game.
Gillett had EMU’s best passing play, 51 yard to wide receiver Donald Scott for a touchdown with 8:09 remaining in the third quarter.
English explained he was trying to get Payne to do “live snaps” against Central, because next week at Ohio State wouldn’t be the right place to do it.
Gillett and Payne combined for 282 yards passing.
After Scott’s touchdown for the Eagles, the Chippewas outscored the Eagles 24-0 the rest of the way.
The attendance was reported at 20,348, many of whom were Central Michigan supporters.
With 2:57 left in the first quarter, there was an on-the-field proposal. A fan was fooled when she thought she was taking part in an on the field promotion, when really her husband-to-be snuck up on her and proposed with a sign. She said yes. The couple, David and Megan, kissed and the crowd applauded.
The Eagles take on Ohio State at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Horseshoe in Columbus. The game will air on ABC.
