Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Eastern Michigan
Football Holds Off Eastern Michigan, 35-30
11/10/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Following an 80-yard scoring drive that put the Eagles within five points, EMU recovered an onside kick at the Central Michigan 47-yard line and on the first play gained 37 yards on a pass to put the ball at the Chippewa 10-yard line.
Central's defense would hold on for a 35-30 win as Chris R. Roberson was taken for a loss of five yards and Kainoa Akina could not find an open receiver on three pass attempts. CMU took over on downs and ran out the clock.
The Chippewas improve to 3-6 overall and 2-5 in the MAC while Eastern Michigan falls to 2-7 overall and 1-4 in the MAC.
Terrence Jackson had a career day for CMU, rushing 25 times for a career-high 207 yards and career-high four touchdowns. He scored on runs of four, 31, 52 and 58 yards. His final three scoring runs each bettered his season-long play.
After a scoreless first quarter, Eastern Michigan got on the board first with a three-yard run by Roberson.
Central then scored on three straight possessions to take a 21-7 lead. Jackson rushed for the first two and Derek Gorney rushed in from 10 yards out as CMU led by two touchdowns at the half. Jackson's second touchdown came on fourth-and-one from the 31.
EMU's Eric Klaban booted a 39-yard field goal early in the third and CMU marched right back down the field for an 80-yard drive that was capped off by Jackson's 52-yard TD.
The Eagle offense came back in the fourth quarter scoring two touchdowns within a two-minute stretch. Akina hit Kevin Walter on a 25-yard pass and then Akina fired to Terrance Lloyed for an 11-yard score. Eastern started with great field possession for the second score after the EMU kickoff hung in the wind and was recovered by the Eagles at the CMU 42-yard line.
Central's Jackson only needed one play to get the Chippewas back on the board again as he galloped 58-yards for his final TD of the afternoon with 5:36 left on the clock.
Eastern scored on its third straight possesion with an 80-yard drive that ended with Akina's third TD pass of the game, this one to Chris Archie.
The Eagles successfully recovered the onside kick attempt and drove the ball all the way to the 10 yard line but the comeback effort fell short.
EMU gained 508 yards of offense compared to 451 for CMU. The Eagles picked up 321 through the air and 187 on the ground. Central picked up 266 yards rushing and 185 yards passing.
Gorney completed 14-of-23 passes for 185 yards. He hit Rob Turner four times for 108 yards, including a 62-yard play. Roderick Means also had four grabs for 43 yards.
Roberson rushed 21 times for 173 yards and one TD for EMU. Akina completed 22-of-49 passes for 288 yards and three scores. Kevin Walter was on the receiving end of seven passes for 114 yards and one TD and Jamal Stevens added five catches for 81 yards. Lloyd grabbed five balls for 46 yards and one TD.
The Eagles missed two field goals in the first quarter with the wind at their backs that proved to be costly. Eric Klaban missed for 40 yards out and Toller Starnes was wide left from 32 yards.
Central Michigan travels to rival Western Michigan next Saturday (Nov. 17) for a 3 p.m., kickoff in Waldo Stadium. The game will air on Fox Sports Detroit.
Notes and Quotes
Central Michigan running back Terrence Jackson has run for 100-plus yards for six straight games. He had 25 touches for 207 yards against Eastern Michigan.
The last time a Central Michigan running back topped the 200-yard rushing mark was in 1999 when Eric Flowers ran for 219 against Buffalo.
Central Michigan running back Terrence Jackson had consecutive career-high runs on 31-yard TD run in the second, a 52-yard TD scamper in the third and a 58-yard TD run in the fourth. He had a career high four scores against Eastern Michigan. Jackson had a four-yard TD run in the first quarter.
The Chippewas had a four-game losing streak entering today's match with Eastern Michigan.
Eastern Michigan's quarterback Kainoa Akina and wideout Chris R. Roberson had career days for the Eagles. Akina was 22-for-49 and had 288 yards passing. Roberson rushed 21 times for 173 yards.
Central Michigan quarterback Derek Gorney rushed for his first career touchdown. He ran it in from 10-yards out in the second quarter.
CMU's five scoring drives averaged 1:18 off the clock.
Eastern Michigan Head Coach Jeff Woodruff:
"Our offense never gave up but our defense was giving up all day. It was one of the worst defensive efforts I've seen in my life. I'm not saying [Terrence] Jackson didn't do a good job but we just needed to wrap up better on defense."
"We're very young. We have two guards, a quarterback that are all freshman. They just can't handle the pressure yet but they all grew up a little bit today."
"The wind was a factor, it actually hurt us more going with it because we overthrew some guys."
"Kainoa Akina was hurt at half time and then he got hurt again in the fourth quarter. But, he's a tough kid and he learned a lot today. "
Central Michigan Head Coach Mike DeBord:
"There are no easy wins in this conference. Every week, you have expect a tough game. I am really proud that our kids have stayed together throughout the season and not folded it in during these tough times. "
"Today we made plays and won which is something we have not done the past two weeks. We didn't fold the tent when Eastern Michigan got back in the game and earlier in the season, that may have not been the case. This is still a young team and it is still learning to win and finish games."
"In the beginning, Eastern Michigan was blitzing a lot so we had to change around our blocking schemes to open up our running game. You have to give credit to our offensive lines and back for running hard and getting the extra yards. "
"I'm happy with the way [Derek] Gorney is playing and we will evaluate both Gorney and [Derrick] Vickers over the next week to find our starter. "
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