Eastern Michigan Downs CMU in Overtime, 23-20

Sept. 24, 2005

MOUNT PLEASANT - Andrew Wellock's 36-yard field goal in overtime lifted Eastern Michigan (2-2 overall, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) to a 23-20 win over Central Michigan University (1-3, 1-1) on Saturday.

Wellock kicked three field goals in the final 8:40 and overtime to rally the Eagles from a 20-14 deficit.

After the EMU defense held on a fourth-and-two from the 22-yard line with 4:09 remaining, the offense marched 76 yards in 19 plays to set up a Wellock 19-yarder as time expired. Matt Bohnet extended the drive three times for EMU, converting a third and fourth down rushing and hitting Travis Lewis on a third-and-10 from the EMU 45.

The Chippewas had the ball first in overtime, but a sack of Kent Smith and a fumble forced CMU into a fourth-and-27. An incompletion ended the possession.

Following a first down incompletion, Bohnet hit Trumaine Riley for seven yards and Wellock came on to kick the game-winner on third down.

Saturday's overtime contest continued a trend of tightly contested games between EMU and CMU. Eleven of the past 16 meetings have either been decided by seven points or less or gone to overtime. The two teams have gone to overtime each of the past two seasons, with EMU claiming a 61-58, four-overtime win at Ford Field in Detroit last season.

The Chippewas are now 2-3 all-time in overtime contests, including 1-2 against Eastern Michigan.

De'Onte Burnam and Brandon Jackson wrap up an Eagle runner, along with help from some teammates.

A pair of highly-touted offenses struggled out of the gate, as Rick Albreski's 35-yard field goal represented the only points of the first quarter and gave CMU a 3-0 lead.

Kent Smith scored on a one-yard run to cap an 11-play, 68-yard drive early in the second quarter. Just 3:31 later, Bohnet threw the first of two scoring toss to A.J. Bennett, a 12-yarder to get EMU on the board.

An Albreski 36-yard field goal extended the Chippewa lead to 13-7 with 4:26 left in the half, but Bohnet hit Bennett from nine yards with 1:56 remaining to send EMU into the locker room up 14-13.

After the Eagle defense stopped CMU on a fourth-and-eight, Bohnet hit Lewis for 44 yards on fourth-and-eight to set the Eagles up at the three-yard line with 1.2 seconds left. EMU rushed Wellock onto the field, but could not snap the ball before time expired.

Pacino Horne was one of five Chippewas with at least six tackles against the Eagles.

Ontario Sneed scored on third down from the one-yard line to put CMU in front, 20-14, midway through the third, but Wellock's three field goals down the stretch rallied the Eagles.

Sneed finished with 122 yards on 29 carries, the second 100-yard rushing game for the true freshman this season. He was also Smith's favorite receiving target, catching five passes for 56 yards. Smith finished 18-of-31 for 182 yards.

For EMU, Bohnet was 36-of-56 for 380 yards and two scores. He hit Eric Deslauriers 10 times for 135 yards.

Defensively for the Chippewas, Doug Kress finished with a career-high 11 tackles, while Isaac Brown and Thomas Keith recorded 10 apiece.

CMU is back on the road next weekend, visiting Akron. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

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