Chippewas Rally, Fall Late to Eastern Michigan, 35-28

Saturday, October 15

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

TBA

Central Michigan University

2-5 , 1-2

Eastern Michigan

4-3 , 2-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Eastern Michigan

Central Michigan

10/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

Final Stats | Photos | Notes | Quotes

Watch: Game Highlights | Coach Enos Postgame | Radcliff, Addae Postgame | Game Rebroadcast

MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan erased a 15-point fourth quarter deficit only to see Eastern Michigan respond with a touchdown with just 37 seconds remaining Saturday, falling on Homecoming, 35-28.

The Eagles' (4-3, 2-1 MAC) Alex Gillett scampered through the middle of the defense for a 30-yard quarterback keeper for the winning score, capping a three-play, 64-yard drive in just 32 seconds. The Chippewas (2-5, 1-2 MAC) were able to drive 43 yards to the EMU 28 yard line with three seconds left, but Eastern's Marcell Rose intercepted Ryan Radcliff as time expired to secure the win.

Down 28-13 with 5:39 left in the game, Radcliff orchestrated the Maroon and Gold offense, completing 12-of-14 passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Radcliff pulled CMU within eight, 28-20, when he found freshman Titus Davis on third-and-two for an 11-yard score.

CMU was able to force a three and out by the Eagles, putting the ball back in the hands of Radcliff with 3:03 remaining. After back-to-back completions to Cody Wilson for 16 and 11 yards, Radcliff found Davis on back-to-back passes to the EMU 10 yard line. A pass interference call on the Eagles moved the ball to the two yard line where Radcliff found Jerry Harris to pull CMU within two, 28-26. Titus Davis pulled in the two-point conversion to cap the comeback.

Eastern Michigan was able to pull ahead thanks to a potent ground attack of Javonti Greene, Dominique White and Gillett. Greene rushed for 96 yards and three touchdowns, while White carried the ball 19 times for 161 yards and Gillett 11 for 93 and a score. The Eagles totaled 350 yards on the ground.

White gave the Eagles a 7-3 lead with a one-yard plunge in the first quarter, countering a 28-yard field goal by CMU's David Harman. A Harman field goal at the 5:26 mark of the second quarter marked the only other points put on the board the rest of the half, allowing EMU to head to the locker room up 7-6.

Green extended the Eastern lead on the first drive of the second half, breaking free on first and 10 from 36 yards out for his first score of the game. The Chippewas responded with a scoring drive of their own, going 60 yards over nine plays capping things off with an eight-yard touchdown reception by David Blackburn from Radcliff.

The Eagles opened things up when Green scored from two yards out just 33 seconds into the fourth quarter and Nate Paopao blocked a Richie Hogan punt on CMU's next possession, setting up another Green score from five yards out, giving EMU the 28-13 lead.

Radcliff finished the day 33-for-50 with 351 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Wilson was his favorite target on the day, catching nine balls for 103 yards. Blackburn pulled in eight catches for 83 yards and a score, while Davis caught seven passes for 79 yards and his second career touchdown.

Joe Kinville paced the defensive front for the Chippewas, recording a career-high 11 tackles with 1.5 for loss. Justin Cherocci and Jahleel Addae each recorded 10 tackles as well.

Central Michigan starts its second three-game road trip of the season next Saturday when it heads to Muncie, Ind., to take on Ball State. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.