CFB: EMU falls in conference opener
Game Recap:
The Eastern Michigan Eagles (0-1) lost their season opener against Kent State (0-1) on the road on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Kent State got out to a 13-0 lead before Chad Ryland got the Eagles on the board with a 34-yard field goal. Thomas Odukoya cut into the deficit even more with a 5-yard TD catch from Preston Hutchinson. EMU would eventually take a 23-20 lead following another score from Odukoya, this time with 11:55 left in the game.
Kent State then preceded to put together an 11-play drive, led by Dustin Crum, finishing in a 9-yard TD to Mark Williams to seal a narrow victory over the Eagles. Odukoya was the main target in the red zone, recording two touchdown receptions, but the most impactful Eagles receiver on the field was junior Hassan Beydoun (112 yards on nine receptions). Crum had 219 yards and two scores for Kent State. Meanwhile, EMU's Terry Myrick had a team-high 10 tackles in the 27-23 loss.
"Losing doesn't change the fact that we're grateful to play. We've been waiting a long time for this. Obviously it didn't go the way that we had envisioned it all that time. Hats off to Kent State," Eagles head coach Chris Creighton told EMU Athletics following the loss. "We have a lot of things that we need to get better at. They changed up what they were doing defensively. I thought our defense gave us a chance."
By the Numbers:
First Downs: Kent State (28--20)
Third Down: EMU (38.5%--33.3%)
Total Yards: Kent State (431--302)
Yards Per Pass: Kent State (7.6--6.9)
Players of the Game:
Dustin Crum (Kent State QB)
Hassan Beydoun (EMU WR)
Kesean Gamble (Kent State LB)
Terry Myrick (EMU LB)
Photo Credit: CBS Sports.
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