Visiting Eastern Michigan University suffered its first loss, 31-3, against Michigan Saturday.
The Eagles were led by running back Javonti Green, who carried for a team-high 80 yards. The Wolverines were led by quarterback Denard Robinson, who ran for a game-high 198 yards and one score. Wolverine Vincent Smith ran for 118 yards. The teams combined for 583 rushing yards.
The game started with the Eagles marching down the field before a fumble by Greene at the Michigan 35 halted the drive. The Eagles defense got down to work early in the game with an interception from Kinsman Thomas of an attempted pass by Robinson on a fourth down attempt.
“That one interception was a bang-bang type of situation,” coach Brady Hoke said. “But, we’re pleased with our quarterback, and I’m glad he’s at Michigan.”
The Eagles seemed to move the ball with ease on their next drive before being stuffed at the 1-yard line by the Wolverines. The Eagles had the advantage after the first quarter outgaining the Wolverines, 140-32.
The second quarter started with the Eagles making a 21-yard field goal by Cody Fulkerson to take a 3-0 lead. After the score, the Eagles forced a punt, but it wasn’t long before the ball was back in the hands of the Wolverines.
The Eagles tried a trick play that resulted in an interception by Wolverines’ Thomas Gordon at the U-M 3.
This started a seven-play, 97-yard touchdown drive featuring a 52-yard run by Robinson and was capped off by a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kevin Koger. The Wolverines never looked back from there.
“I’m not going to question that play call,” EMU coach Ron English said. “It was a good call.”
The Eagles’ offense never seemed to find its stride after the first quarter, gaining only 96 more yards throughout the game. After a couple of back-and-forth punts by each team, the Wolverines offense found its zone and took a 14-3 lead with 39 seconds left in the first half.
The Eagles had good field position the entire game but couldn’t capitalize, and after a missed 50-yard field goal they went into the locker room down 14-3 at halftime.
The Wolverines came out of the locker room with the ball and took advantage, running on the Eagles to take a 21-3 lead on a 1-yard score by Fitzgerald Toussaint.
The Wolverines’ offense dominated most of the clock in the second half, holding the Eagles to three short possessions after the Eagles had seven in the first half.
Michigan would go on to score one more touchdown in the third quarter on a 19-yard pass from Robinson to Drew Dileo to take the 28-3 lead into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Michigan scored one more field goal, giving it a 31-3 lead.
The Eagles didn’t do much of anything in the fourth quarter and Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner ran out the clock for the final play of the game.
English said he’s pleased with the effort given by his junior quarterback, Alex Gillett.
“This was the best he’s played,” English said. “I’ve been a little concerned because he didn’t do his best in the first two games. I think he was trying too hard to be perfect, but today he played freer, happier and he had fun.”
The Eagles are 2-1 and the Wolverines are 3-0 for the third year in a row.
Saturday, Michigan is at home against San Diego State, and the Eagles travel to take on another Big Ten opponent, Penn State.
