 Photo: Deb Ruthenberg
The win improves Eastern Michigan's overall record to 3-6 but more importantly the Eagles are now 2-1 in the MAC West division and remain in contention for a possible run at the divisional crown. Western Michigan falls to 3-6 overall and 2-2 within the division as the preseason divisional favorite Broncos are now likely out of the running for a title.
Walker's career day was a performance that Eastern Michigan head coach Jeff Genyk has been waiting for since last season as Walker has struggled for yardage most of the year for the Eagles' ground attack. Earlier in the week Genyk called the senior tailback into his office and told him he needed to become a playmaker.
"I took it as a challenge," said Walker about his meeting earlier in the week with Genyk. "Coach Genyk emphasized the running game all week and I challenged our offensive line and they stepped up and got the job done."
Walker ran for 103 of his 151 yards in the second after a first half that was dominated by the defensive units of both squads.
The Broncos put their only points of the game on the board late in the first quarter when Walker was stopped by Western Michigan's Boston McCornell behind the line of scrimmage in the Eagles' end-zone for a safety. The play followed a Broncos turnover, their first of six on the day, as Western Michigan appeared to be driving for a touchdown but running back Brandon West's fumble at the one-yard line was recovered by EMU's Josh Hunt. Two plays later, the Broncos had a 2-0 lead.
The Eagles responded with a Zach Johnson 25-yard field goal to make it 3-2 at halftime but not before Eastern Michigan starting quarterback Andy Schmitt, making his first start since being injured two weeks ago against Ohio, was knocked out of the game early in the second quarter after a hard hit. Freshman quarterback Kyle McMahon replaced Schmitt and played the remainder of the contest for the Eagles.
The Broncos' quarterback woes however were never really resolved as starter Tim Hiller was ineffective and was replaced briefly in the second half by Thomas Peregrin but neither player was able to establish any offensive rhythm, combining for three interceptions on 13-27 passing and only 146 yards.
The Eagles' defense also stymied the Broncos' rushing attack, limiting WMU to 53 net yards rushing for the contest which was two fewer yards than the Eagles' next scoring play.
Up 3-2 midway through the third quarter, Eagles' sophomore wide receiver Dontayo Gage took a pitch out in the backfield and raced 55 yards into the end zone while holding off Broncos' safety CJ Wilson with a stiff arm for the last twenty yards in one of the more spectacular runs of the college football season. The Eagles missed the extra point and led 9-2 heading into the final quarter of play.
Zach Johnson, who had missed the earlier PAT and a 35-yard field goal on the Eagles' game-opening drive, booted a wind-aided 50-yard field goal to put Eastern Michigan up 12-2 early in the fourth quarter capping an eight play 41-yard drive that was aided by a questionable pass interference call on Western Michigan's Anthony Gebhart on a third down and two play to open the fourth quarter.
Gebhart appeared to have the inside position as Eagles' wide receiver DeAnthony White reached over Gebhart to knock away the pass but the official on the play saw otherwise and the Eagles' scoring drive was kept alive. After the game Western Michigan head coach Bill Cubit declined to address the questionable call but left little doubt as to his displeasure with his team's performance.
"We just didn't take care of the ball and didn't get anything going," said Cubit afterward. "Our offense was just not very good today," added Cubit who expressed ongoing concerns about his team's quarterback play. "We have some problems with the decision making process and that is something we are going to have to address. Some guys are going to have to turn it around. But if you want to put the blame on anybody, put the blame on me."
"You can't win with six turnovers," added Broncos wide receiver Jamarko Simmons who had six receptions for 59 yards. "We made mistakes in areas we can't make mistakes in. Some people didn't execute on their own assignments. But we still have three games left and with the bye week coming up we have to get back to working hard."
Eastern Michigan capped the scoring when Jacory Stone caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Kyle McMahon with just over nine minutes remaining to give EMU a 19-2 lead.
For the game, the Eagles outgained the Broncos 392-199 yards and held a huge edge in time of possession, holding the ball for over 40 minutes.
The Eagles' defense was paced by defensive back Ryan Downard's two interceptions. Downard leads the MAC with six interceptions on the season.
"Our players were on kind of a mission this week in practice," said EMU's Genyk afterward. "The players, after some persuasion, understood that (coming into today's game) our record was essentially 1-1 (in the MAC West) and not 2-6 (overall). With the way the Mid-American Conference has set up the schedule this season, you have five games to reach your goals and our goals are still in front of us," said Genyk referring to the divisional standing structure that emphasizes a team's divisional record.
With Saturday's victory Eastern Michigan is one game behind division leading Central Michigan with a game against the Chippewas still to be played November 16. The Eagles share second-place with Ball State which holds the tie-breaker edge on EMU by virtue of the Cardinals' win over Eastern Michigan earlier this season.
Eastern Michigan continues its MAC West schedule Saturday with a game at Toledo while the Broncos are off until Tuesday, November 6 when they host MAC West division leading Central Michigan.
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