Box score.
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YPSILANTI, Mich. — What started as a defensive struggle turned into an Eastern Michigan University offensive explosion as the Eagles recorded a 19-2 Mid-American Conference West Division win over a visiting Western Michigan University team here Saturday afternoon in a Homecoming game in Rynearson Stadium.
Eastern (3-6 overall and 2-2 MAC) and Western (3-6; 2-3) battled to a baseball-like 3-2 EMU lead heading into the locker room at halftime.
The EMU defense kept its pressure on in the second half and the offense came to life with 16 unanswered points for the 19-2 win. The Green and White forced six Western Michigan turnovers, with three interceptions and three fumbles.
Senior tailback Pierre Walker (Detroit, Mich.-Central) had a career day on the ground, rushing 33 times for a career-high 151 yards. Redshirt freshman safety Ryan Downard (Lima, Ohio-Shawnee) turned in two interceptions on the day, increasing his season total to six.
The Eagles piled up 255 yards on the ground and added 137 through the air for 392 yards in total offense while the defense limited the Broncos to just 199 yards in total offense on the day and just 53 yards on the ground.
Western Michigan struck first when linebacker Boston McCornell corralled the Eagles Pierre Walker in the EMU end zone for a safety with just 00:25 left in the first quarter.
The Eagles managed to grab a 3-2 halftime lead when Zach Johnson (Springboro, Ohio-Springboro) connected on a 25-yard field goal at the 09:09 mark of the second quarter.
Eastern turned in the first two scores of the second half, the first on a 55-yard run by Dontayo Gage (Pontiac, Mich.-Northern) at the 07:16 mark of the third quarter, and the second on a career-best 50-yard field goal by Johnson to give the Eagles a 12-2 advantage. Johnson's PAT after the Gage touchdown was wide right.
The Eagles added to their lead with 09:26 left in the game when true freshman Kyle McMahon (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Pontiac Notre Dame Prep) found redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jacory Stone (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) for a 19-yard score with Johnson adding the PAT for a 19-2 Eagles' lead.
On the ensuing possession, the Eagle defense forced a punt from the Broncos, taking over at their own 15-yard line. Walker carried eight consecutive times, helping the Eagles run the clock down. On a fourth and four from the Broncos 28, McMahon threw his first interception of the game, stalling the drive with 1:30 remaining. Downard would intercept a Tim HIller pass with nine seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Green and White. EMU took a knee to secure its third consecutive homecoming victory.
