Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, November 27
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
1-11 , 0-8
28
at
35
Central Michigan
7-5 , 6-2
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Eastern Michigan
7
14
7
0
28
Central Michigan
0
7
28
0
35
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Jackson Sets TD Mark as Football Drops Heartbreaker to CMU
11/27/2015 5:44:00 PM | Football
Senior Darius Jackson broke the single-season touchdown record in the contest
Postgame Audio: Coach_Creighton. Darius_Jackson.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Despite giving Central Michigan University all they could handle in the final game of the 2015 season, the Eastern Michigan University football team (1-11, 0-8 MAC) dropped a heartbreaker, 35-28, Friday, Nov. 27, in Mid-American Conference action at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. It was senior running back Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) leading the way in his final EMU game. He finished with 15 carries for 93 yards, his eighth game of 90+ rushing yards this season. The Sparta, Ill. also scored two more touchdowns in the game, breaking the single-season EMU record for scores in a season with 16 TD's.
With the 93 yards, Jackson went for over 1,000 in the 2015 season, becoming the first tailback to accomplish this feat since Bronson Hill in 2013, and was just the 13th all-time to do it for the Eagles. He finished with 1,089 yards on the season, which was the 10th most in a single season in EMU history. Jackson also wrapped up his career as the 14th all-time leading rusher with 1,597 yards.
Redshirt sophomore Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. Johns Jesuit) guided the offense to the tune of 17-of-34 passing for 206 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target was redshirt freshman Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) out of the backfield, as the running back finished with a team high six catches for 42 yards. As was typical all season, EMU completed passes to seven different receivers.
Defensively, three players tied in tackles with eight stops, including senior linebacker Great Ibe (Philadelphia, Pa.-Meade), who had six solo and a tackle for loss. The Philadelphia, Pa. native wrapped up his EMU career as the 11th all-time tackler in EMU history with 326 tackles.
Despite being heavily outgained in the contest, EMU was able to keep pace with two turnovers, converting them into 14 of their points. The Eagles finished with 331 yards of total offense, 114 on the ground and 217 through the air.
The EMU defense held tight on the opening drive of the contest, forcing a quick CMU three-and-out. After a short punt set up the Eagles with good field position, Eastern Michigan drove 60 yards in 11 plays to take the early 7-0 lead.
Roback was a perfect 5-of-5 on the drive for 49 yards, capping it off with a six-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Sam Browning (Escondido, Calif.-Escondido). It was Browning's third TD reception of the season. Both teams went on to trade punts in the first quarter, and EMU took the 7-0 lead into the second quarter.
On a drive that spanned the end of the first and entered the second quarter, CMU converted on a couple long third downs to advance into EMU territory for the first time in the game. The defense would tighten up however, forcing a 47-yard field goal, which would bounce off the upright and keep the Chippewas off the board.
After taking over on the miss, the first play from scrimmage was a Jackson eight yard rush to put him over 1,000 yards on the season. There was little fanfare for the accomplishment though, as three plays later EMU would turn the ball over on a fumbled running back screen pass. The Chippewas turned the miscue into points four plays later on a 5-yard touchdown run to even the score at seven apiece.
After a quick three and out by EMU on their next drive, CMU set up for another drive at their own 26 yard line midway through the quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, a Cooper Rush pass was intercepted over the middle by redshirt freshman linebacker Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East), and returned 35 yards the other way to put EMU back on top 14-7. It was the first pick six for the Eagles since 2012, when Pudge Cotton returned an INT 28 yards for a score against Purdue, Sept. 15.
The Chips were quick to respond after the turnover. After converting on another third and long, this time a 38-yard pass to put CMU back into Eagle territory, they would get the ball all the way down to the EMU goal line. The Eagle defense stepped up once again, forcing yet another CMU turnover when Ibe crushed the CMU ball carrier at the line, jarring the ball loose. Redshirt sophomore Luke Maclean (Grand Blanc, Mich.-Grand Blanc) scooped the ball up and began to rumble down the field before being chased down at the EMU 47 yard line.
On a 29-yard strike to Browning, the Eagles were set up in Chippewas territory. Three short passes later; EMU was set up first and goal near the end of the quarter. On second and goal, Roback dumped off a screen to Jackson, who took it in for the score, extending the lead to 21-7.
Getting the ball back with less than a minute to go in the first half, CMU started things off slinging the ball around as they attempted to get a quick score before the half, completing five straight passes to reach EMU territory. The defense would not yield once again, forcing another CMU field goal attempt, this time from 40 yards away. This try would sail wide right and Eastern took the 21-7 lead into the locker room.
Despite receiving the opening kickoff of the half, EMU could not do anything with it, going a quick three and out. Following the punt, CMU struck quickly on the first play from scrimmage on a 63-yard touchdown pass to cut EMU's lead to 21-14.
CMU's defense held strong on the next EMU possession, forcing another quick punt. CMU went back to work, quickly finding themselves back in EMU territory. For the third time in the game, EMU's defense held strong in their zone, and this time forced a turnover on downs as CMU opted to not their third field goal after missing the first two.
Three possessions later, after EMU's fourth short drive of the half, CMU caught their first break of the game, blocking a punt deep in EMU territory. After setting up shop at the Eagle 13 yard line, the Chips would tie the game at 21 with a three-yard rushing touchdown.
EMU finally found offense after the CMU score, converting a third and long on a 61-yard pass to redshirt sophomore Austin Stone (Palmyra, Va.-Fork Union Military Academy). However, EMU would not get the opportunity to do anything with it as on the run down the sideline, Stone was stripped by the CMU defense for the second turnover of the game by the Eagles.
CMU would turn that turnover into their first lead of the game, as they grinded out a seven play, 78-yard drive to take a 28-21 advantage.
The lead was short lived for the Chips, as after an unsportsmanlike penalty and a 32-yard return from freshman Eddie Daugherty (Mentor, Ohio-Mentor), the Eagles were set-up at midfield. On the very next play, Jackson ran the record-breaking score 49 yards to the house to tie the ball game back up at 28.
The tie was also short lived, as CMU struck right back on a 67-yard touchdown pass to retake the one score lead. The TD capped a 28-7 third quarter between the two teams, as the score read 35-28 entering the final period. Three of the scores came in just 34 seconds of game time.
Both offenses significantly cooled in the final frame, as both had extended drives that stalled with no points. The two drives almost took half of the final quarter before EMU got the ball back to start their second.
On that drive, more significant time was chewed off the clock, but the Eagles failed to anywhere with it. After a first down on a third down conversion, the drive was extended after a failed third down conversion on a late hit out of bounds. On a third, third down conversion try, a long pass down the sidelines complete to Jackson was called back on a holding penalty. CMU held on the fourth third down try, and forced the EMU punt with about four minutes remaining in the game.
The Eagles would give themselves one last crack at it though, after holding CMU to a punt, EMU took over at their own 44-yard line with 1:33 remaining. The Eagles would rattle off four straight incomplete passes though, turning the ball over and ending the game with the seven point defeat.
The game marked the final time 10 seniors suited up in the Green and White for Eastern Michigan. In addition to Jackson and Ibe, Jalen Williams (Southfield, Mich.Lathrup), Ray Tillman (Auburn Hills, Mich.-Avondale), Dustin Creel (Industry, Pa.-Western Beaver), Clay Dawson (Phoenix, Ariz.-Crestview College Prep), and Dylan Mulder (Saline, Mich.-Saline), each played their final game Friday night. Also seniors Kris Strange (Pickerington, Ohio-Central), Darian Miles (Southfield, Mich.-Southfield), and Arron Pipkins (Maple Heights, Ohio-Maple Heights), all wrapped up their careers after missing the game due to injury.
EMU now heads into the offseason with the 53rd Annual Football Banquet up next Sunday, Dec. 13, at the EMU Student Center. EMU kicks off the 2016 campaign at "The Factory" on Saturday, Sept. 3, versus a yet to be announced Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Despite giving Central Michigan University all they could handle in the final game of the 2015 season, the Eastern Michigan University football team (1-11, 0-8 MAC) dropped a heartbreaker, 35-28, Friday, Nov. 27, in Mid-American Conference action at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. It was senior running back Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) leading the way in his final EMU game. He finished with 15 carries for 93 yards, his eighth game of 90+ rushing yards this season. The Sparta, Ill. also scored two more touchdowns in the game, breaking the single-season EMU record for scores in a season with 16 TD's.
With the 93 yards, Jackson went for over 1,000 in the 2015 season, becoming the first tailback to accomplish this feat since Bronson Hill in 2013, and was just the 13th all-time to do it for the Eagles. He finished with 1,089 yards on the season, which was the 10th most in a single season in EMU history. Jackson also wrapped up his career as the 14th all-time leading rusher with 1,597 yards.
Redshirt sophomore Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. Johns Jesuit) guided the offense to the tune of 17-of-34 passing for 206 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target was redshirt freshman Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) out of the backfield, as the running back finished with a team high six catches for 42 yards. As was typical all season, EMU completed passes to seven different receivers.
Defensively, three players tied in tackles with eight stops, including senior linebacker Great Ibe (Philadelphia, Pa.-Meade), who had six solo and a tackle for loss. The Philadelphia, Pa. native wrapped up his EMU career as the 11th all-time tackler in EMU history with 326 tackles.
Despite being heavily outgained in the contest, EMU was able to keep pace with two turnovers, converting them into 14 of their points. The Eagles finished with 331 yards of total offense, 114 on the ground and 217 through the air.
The EMU defense held tight on the opening drive of the contest, forcing a quick CMU three-and-out. After a short punt set up the Eagles with good field position, Eastern Michigan drove 60 yards in 11 plays to take the early 7-0 lead.
Roback was a perfect 5-of-5 on the drive for 49 yards, capping it off with a six-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Sam Browning (Escondido, Calif.-Escondido). It was Browning's third TD reception of the season. Both teams went on to trade punts in the first quarter, and EMU took the 7-0 lead into the second quarter.
On a drive that spanned the end of the first and entered the second quarter, CMU converted on a couple long third downs to advance into EMU territory for the first time in the game. The defense would tighten up however, forcing a 47-yard field goal, which would bounce off the upright and keep the Chippewas off the board.
After taking over on the miss, the first play from scrimmage was a Jackson eight yard rush to put him over 1,000 yards on the season. There was little fanfare for the accomplishment though, as three plays later EMU would turn the ball over on a fumbled running back screen pass. The Chippewas turned the miscue into points four plays later on a 5-yard touchdown run to even the score at seven apiece.
After a quick three and out by EMU on their next drive, CMU set up for another drive at their own 26 yard line midway through the quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, a Cooper Rush pass was intercepted over the middle by redshirt freshman linebacker Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East), and returned 35 yards the other way to put EMU back on top 14-7. It was the first pick six for the Eagles since 2012, when Pudge Cotton returned an INT 28 yards for a score against Purdue, Sept. 15.
The Chips were quick to respond after the turnover. After converting on another third and long, this time a 38-yard pass to put CMU back into Eagle territory, they would get the ball all the way down to the EMU goal line. The Eagle defense stepped up once again, forcing yet another CMU turnover when Ibe crushed the CMU ball carrier at the line, jarring the ball loose. Redshirt sophomore Luke Maclean (Grand Blanc, Mich.-Grand Blanc) scooped the ball up and began to rumble down the field before being chased down at the EMU 47 yard line.
On a 29-yard strike to Browning, the Eagles were set up in Chippewas territory. Three short passes later; EMU was set up first and goal near the end of the quarter. On second and goal, Roback dumped off a screen to Jackson, who took it in for the score, extending the lead to 21-7.
Getting the ball back with less than a minute to go in the first half, CMU started things off slinging the ball around as they attempted to get a quick score before the half, completing five straight passes to reach EMU territory. The defense would not yield once again, forcing another CMU field goal attempt, this time from 40 yards away. This try would sail wide right and Eastern took the 21-7 lead into the locker room.
Despite receiving the opening kickoff of the half, EMU could not do anything with it, going a quick three and out. Following the punt, CMU struck quickly on the first play from scrimmage on a 63-yard touchdown pass to cut EMU's lead to 21-14.
CMU's defense held strong on the next EMU possession, forcing another quick punt. CMU went back to work, quickly finding themselves back in EMU territory. For the third time in the game, EMU's defense held strong in their zone, and this time forced a turnover on downs as CMU opted to not their third field goal after missing the first two.
Three possessions later, after EMU's fourth short drive of the half, CMU caught their first break of the game, blocking a punt deep in EMU territory. After setting up shop at the Eagle 13 yard line, the Chips would tie the game at 21 with a three-yard rushing touchdown.
EMU finally found offense after the CMU score, converting a third and long on a 61-yard pass to redshirt sophomore Austin Stone (Palmyra, Va.-Fork Union Military Academy). However, EMU would not get the opportunity to do anything with it as on the run down the sideline, Stone was stripped by the CMU defense for the second turnover of the game by the Eagles.
CMU would turn that turnover into their first lead of the game, as they grinded out a seven play, 78-yard drive to take a 28-21 advantage.
The lead was short lived for the Chips, as after an unsportsmanlike penalty and a 32-yard return from freshman Eddie Daugherty (Mentor, Ohio-Mentor), the Eagles were set-up at midfield. On the very next play, Jackson ran the record-breaking score 49 yards to the house to tie the ball game back up at 28.
The tie was also short lived, as CMU struck right back on a 67-yard touchdown pass to retake the one score lead. The TD capped a 28-7 third quarter between the two teams, as the score read 35-28 entering the final period. Three of the scores came in just 34 seconds of game time.
Both offenses significantly cooled in the final frame, as both had extended drives that stalled with no points. The two drives almost took half of the final quarter before EMU got the ball back to start their second.
On that drive, more significant time was chewed off the clock, but the Eagles failed to anywhere with it. After a first down on a third down conversion, the drive was extended after a failed third down conversion on a late hit out of bounds. On a third, third down conversion try, a long pass down the sidelines complete to Jackson was called back on a holding penalty. CMU held on the fourth third down try, and forced the EMU punt with about four minutes remaining in the game.
The Eagles would give themselves one last crack at it though, after holding CMU to a punt, EMU took over at their own 44-yard line with 1:33 remaining. The Eagles would rattle off four straight incomplete passes though, turning the ball over and ending the game with the seven point defeat.
The game marked the final time 10 seniors suited up in the Green and White for Eastern Michigan. In addition to Jackson and Ibe, Jalen Williams (Southfield, Mich.Lathrup), Ray Tillman (Auburn Hills, Mich.-Avondale), Dustin Creel (Industry, Pa.-Western Beaver), Clay Dawson (Phoenix, Ariz.-Crestview College Prep), and Dylan Mulder (Saline, Mich.-Saline), each played their final game Friday night. Also seniors Kris Strange (Pickerington, Ohio-Central), Darian Miles (Southfield, Mich.-Southfield), and Arron Pipkins (Maple Heights, Ohio-Maple Heights), all wrapped up their careers after missing the game due to injury.
EMU now heads into the offseason with the 53rd Annual Football Banquet up next Sunday, Dec. 13, at the EMU Student Center. EMU kicks off the 2016 campaign at "The Factory" on Saturday, Sept. 3, versus a yet to be announced Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent.
Team Stats
EMU
CMU
Total Yards
320
583
Pass Yards
227
408
Rushing Yards
93
175
Penalty Yards
55
105
1st Downs
15
26
3rd Downs
2
4
4th Downs
1
0
TOP
26:08
33:52
1st Quarter
EMU 7, CMU 0
EMU - BROWNING, Sam 6 yd pass from ROBACK, Brogan (MULDER, Dylan kick) 11 plays, 60 yards, TOP 4:16
2nd Quarter
EMU 7, CMU 7
CMU - ROSS, Romello 5 yd run (EAVEY, Brian kick), 4 plays, 52 yards, TOP 2:06
EMU 14, CMU 7
EMU - RACHWAL, Kyle 35 yd interception (MULDER, Dylan kick)
EMU 21, CMU 7
EMU - JACKSON, Darius 6 yd pass from ROBACK, Brogan (MULDER, Dylan kick) 6 plays, 95 yards, TOP 1:09
3rd Quarter
EMU 21, CMU 14
CMU - ROSS, Romello 63 yd pass from RUSH, Cooper (EAVEY, Brian kick) 1 plays, 63 yards, TOP 0:14
EMU 21, CMU 21
CMU - ROSS, Romello 3 yd run (EAVEY, Brian kick), 2 plays, 13 yards, TOP 0:36
EMU 21, CMU 28
CMU - ROSS, Romello 17 yd run (EAVEY, Brian kick), 7 plays, 78 yards, TOP 2:56
EMU 28, CMU 28
EMU - JACKSON, Darius 49 yd run (MULDER, Dylan kick), 1 plays, 49 yards, TOP 0:16
EMU 28, CMU 35
CMU - WILLIS, Corey 67 yd pass from RUSH, Cooper (EAVEY, Brian kick) 1 plays, 67 yards, TOP 0:18
Game Leaders
CMP
17
TD
2
YDS
206
INT
0
CMP
2
TD
0
YDS
21
INT
0
Players Mentioned
TE
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DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
PK
/ Football
DL
/ Football
LB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
WR
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WR
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DB
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DB
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