Junior defensive end Mike Danna (7) scored his first career touchdown on Saturday. in the Chippewas' 17-7 loss at Eastern Michigan.
Photo by: Mary Lewandowski
Eastern Michigan Notebook: Defense Shines Again For Chippewas
11/4/2018 8:23:00 AM | Football
Fountain, Danna stand out in loss at EMU
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The final tally sheet shows that the Central Michigan defense surrendered 349 yards on Saturday in a 17-7 Mid-American Conference loss to Eastern Michigan.
Yet the Chippewas held the Eagles to 17 points, something on which the unit can hang its hat considering that Eastern possessed the ball for 35-plus minutes and gained 18 first downs.
The defense forced three turnovers and produced the Chippewas' only points of the day when Mike Danna scooped up a fumble and raced 68 yards for a touchdown with under 10 seconds remaining in the first half. That tied the game, 7-7.
"We did the best we could, went out there and made plays, did what our coaches told us to do," CMU senior middle linebacker Malik Fountain said. "And that's what we're going to continue to do, no matter what."
Fountain continued his outstanding senior season with 13 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception, the second of his career. It was the ninth consecutive game in which Fountain has posted a double-digit tackle total, and the ninth straight game that he has led the Chippewas in tackles.
Danna's TD came as a result of a Sean Adesanya sack, as his hit jarred the ball loose from EMU quarterback Tyler Wiegers. It was one of three sacks among 13 tackles-for-loss for the CMU defense in the game.
"Right now we're playing for pride," Fountain said. "Every day that's what people have to think of. This is our pride on the line. It's hard for everybody to stay focused, but we've got to realize this is a pride thing and this is Chippewa football."
DANNA'S TD
The touchdown was a career first for Danna, a junior defensive end from DeLaSalle High School in Warren who has received the praise of the CMU coaching staff for his athleticism and skill since his arrival on campus.
He finished with nine tackles, tying for second on the team with safety Devonni Reed. Danna and fellow end Mitch Stanitzek each were credited with one-half sack.
A FIRST
Freshman defensive tackle LaQuan Johnson recorded his first sack among 2 ½ tackles-for-loss in the game.
HERGOTT GETS THE CALL
Austin Hergott, a redshirt freshman from Fort Thomas, Ky., made his debut at quarterback for the Chippewas in the fourth quarter with under five minutes to play. He was sacked on his first snap and then threw two incompletions. Eastern was called for pass interference on the second pass, giving the Chippewas a first down.
Hergott then hit Devon Spalding for a 14-yard gain and found Cameron Cole for a 9-yard gain. The pass to Cole was wiped off the books because of a CMU penalty. Hergott completed one more pass, an 8-yarder, to Spalding before throwing an interception.
A small sampling, no question, but with the way the Chippewa offense has struggled, coach John Bonamego said "all options are on the table at this point" with regard to playing time.
Hergott "gave us a little bit of a spark," he added. "He made some throws, moved the chains. Made some good quick decision out there. I think we've got to give Austin a strong look this week and see how he does in practice."
ON THE RUN
The Chippewas finished with 138 yards in total offense, 77 of that total coming on the ground.
Romello Ross carried 17 times for 57 yards, and Kumehnnu Gwilly had 26 yards on five carries.
Gwilly's success came early in the game. He then sat out with what Bonamego said was a leg injury.
PUNTING
Senior punter Jack Sheldon tied his career high with 10 punts and he averaged 43.4 yards per punt.
HANGING IN
The Chippewas are 1-9, 0-6 MAC, and frustration has, understandably, mounted and everybody associated with the program is affected to a certain degree.
"That's a big challenge," Bonamego said of the keeping his players focused and motivated. "There's only so many things you can say. I'm proud of the way they prepare, I'm proud of the way they compete.
"There's a lot of noise out there and they're human and they're going to hear it and it's going to affect some of them. You've just got to encourage them to stay positive and hang together. It's a challenge. I want to see us finish strong and continue to play hard."
NEXT
The Chippewas play host to Bowling Green in their final home game of the season on Saturday, Nov. 10 (3 p.m.) at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
"It's their last go around," Bonamego said of his seniors. "Right now our focus is just trying to go 1-0 -- 1-0 each week. We failed to finish today. Next week we'll try to go 1-0 again."
The Falcons, who did not play on Saturday, are 1-8, 0-5, and have lost six consecutive games.
CMU closes the season at Toledo on Friday, Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving.
Yet the Chippewas held the Eagles to 17 points, something on which the unit can hang its hat considering that Eastern possessed the ball for 35-plus minutes and gained 18 first downs.
The defense forced three turnovers and produced the Chippewas' only points of the day when Mike Danna scooped up a fumble and raced 68 yards for a touchdown with under 10 seconds remaining in the first half. That tied the game, 7-7.
"We did the best we could, went out there and made plays, did what our coaches told us to do," CMU senior middle linebacker Malik Fountain said. "And that's what we're going to continue to do, no matter what."
Fountain continued his outstanding senior season with 13 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception, the second of his career. It was the ninth consecutive game in which Fountain has posted a double-digit tackle total, and the ninth straight game that he has led the Chippewas in tackles.
Danna's TD came as a result of a Sean Adesanya sack, as his hit jarred the ball loose from EMU quarterback Tyler Wiegers. It was one of three sacks among 13 tackles-for-loss for the CMU defense in the game.
"Right now we're playing for pride," Fountain said. "Every day that's what people have to think of. This is our pride on the line. It's hard for everybody to stay focused, but we've got to realize this is a pride thing and this is Chippewa football."
DANNA'S TD
The touchdown was a career first for Danna, a junior defensive end from DeLaSalle High School in Warren who has received the praise of the CMU coaching staff for his athleticism and skill since his arrival on campus.
He finished with nine tackles, tying for second on the team with safety Devonni Reed. Danna and fellow end Mitch Stanitzek each were credited with one-half sack.
A FIRST
Freshman defensive tackle LaQuan Johnson recorded his first sack among 2 ½ tackles-for-loss in the game.
HERGOTT GETS THE CALL
Austin Hergott, a redshirt freshman from Fort Thomas, Ky., made his debut at quarterback for the Chippewas in the fourth quarter with under five minutes to play. He was sacked on his first snap and then threw two incompletions. Eastern was called for pass interference on the second pass, giving the Chippewas a first down.
Hergott then hit Devon Spalding for a 14-yard gain and found Cameron Cole for a 9-yard gain. The pass to Cole was wiped off the books because of a CMU penalty. Hergott completed one more pass, an 8-yarder, to Spalding before throwing an interception.
A small sampling, no question, but with the way the Chippewa offense has struggled, coach John Bonamego said "all options are on the table at this point" with regard to playing time.
Hergott "gave us a little bit of a spark," he added. "He made some throws, moved the chains. Made some good quick decision out there. I think we've got to give Austin a strong look this week and see how he does in practice."
ON THE RUN
The Chippewas finished with 138 yards in total offense, 77 of that total coming on the ground.
Romello Ross carried 17 times for 57 yards, and Kumehnnu Gwilly had 26 yards on five carries.
Gwilly's success came early in the game. He then sat out with what Bonamego said was a leg injury.
PUNTING
Senior punter Jack Sheldon tied his career high with 10 punts and he averaged 43.4 yards per punt.
HANGING IN
The Chippewas are 1-9, 0-6 MAC, and frustration has, understandably, mounted and everybody associated with the program is affected to a certain degree.
"That's a big challenge," Bonamego said of the keeping his players focused and motivated. "There's only so many things you can say. I'm proud of the way they prepare, I'm proud of the way they compete.
"There's a lot of noise out there and they're human and they're going to hear it and it's going to affect some of them. You've just got to encourage them to stay positive and hang together. It's a challenge. I want to see us finish strong and continue to play hard."
NEXT
The Chippewas play host to Bowling Green in their final home game of the season on Saturday, Nov. 10 (3 p.m.) at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
"It's their last go around," Bonamego said of his seniors. "Right now our focus is just trying to go 1-0 -- 1-0 each week. We failed to finish today. Next week we'll try to go 1-0 again."
The Falcons, who did not play on Saturday, are 1-8, 0-5, and have lost six consecutive games.
CMU closes the season at Toledo on Friday, Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving.
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