The Eastern Michigan football team wrapped up the rivalry weekend with Central Michigan University Saturday with a 38-7 loss to the Chippewas Saturday at Rynearson Stadium.
Reggie Bell started at quarterback for Eastern, but left early in the first quarter. He rushed twice for 12 yards.
Bell’s injury was reported by WEMU 89.1 FM to be a possible concussion. His status was not immediately known after the game.
Rob Bolden – who came in to replace Bell early in the first quarter – was 7-of-19 for 76 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Ryan Brumfield carried seven times for nine yards for Eastern (2-7, 1-4 Mid-American Conference)
Cooper Rush started for CMU and completed 18-of-23 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
Saylor Lavallii started in place of the injured Thomas Rawls (knee). He rushed 24 times for 109 yards and two scores for Central Michigan (6-4, 4-2 MAC).
Devon Spalding had 18 carries for 158 yards and two touchdowns.
Titus Davis added a touchdown catch for CMU.
The Chippewas opened the scoring at the 11:45 mark of the first quarter – a 41-yard run from Lavallii. The touchdown capped a 3-play, 63 yard drive in just 1:10.
On CMU’s next drive, Lavallii punched in a score from inside the one, capping a 9-play, 69 yard drive that took 4:50.
CMU’s third touchdown was scored by Devon Spalding – a 42-yard run at the end of a 7-play, 64 yard drive that took 3:52 off the clock.
The Chippewas added to their lead with 3:28 left in the half - a 15-yard touchdown pass from Rush to Davis ending a drive that went 43 yards in four plays shaving 1:52 off the clock.
The Eagles trailed 31-0 at halftime – sealed by a 28-yard field goal from Brian Eavey.
Eastern went three-and-out on its first three drives of the game. Combined with bad punts from Owen Dubiel, the Chippewas had good starting field position for much of the first half.
Neither team scored in the third quarter – the second consecutive game where the Eagles and their opponents were held scoreless at that point of the game.
Spalding added to the CMU lead with 14:32 left in the fourth quarter on a 6-yard touchdown run. The Chippewa scoring drive – their longest of the day – spanned 83 yards in 12 plays, taking five minutes.
Eastern put points on the board late – with a 4-yard pass from Bolden to Darius Jackson at the 3:16 mark of the fourth quarter.
Looking Ahead
The Eagles will have a week off before traveling to Western Michigan on Nov. 15.
Eastern won its last matchup against the Broncos, 35-32 in overtime on Nov. 9, 2013. The win was the first for then-interim coach Stan Parrish.
Brumfield scored the game-winning touchdown for the Eagles. He finished the day with 148 yards on 15 carries. Hill rushed 24 times for 117 yards and a touchdown in the contest.
Western played Miami University-Ohio Saturday.
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