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Northwestern took control of the contest early by scoring the game’s first three touchdowns while building a 21-0 lead with 9:08 left in the second quarter. Steven Simmons accounted for the first two scores on runs of one yard and 14 yards. Those turned out to be Northwestern’s only offensive touchdowns of the contest. The Wildcats defense provided the only other final TD when Ben Johnson returned an interception 70 yards to pay dirt at 9:08 of the second quarter.

From that point on, EMU posted four of the game’s five remaining scores before Demos’ game-winning boot. Joe Carithers got the Eagles on the board with a 33-yard field goal shortly before intermission. Dwayne Priest made it a 21-10 game when scored from one-yard out at 4:33 of the third stanza.  Priest was the game’s leading rusher as he picked up 127 yards on 17 carries.

After a 20-yard Demos field goal, EMU came back to tie with two fourth quarter TDs.  Andy Schmitt hit Jacory Stone with a 25-yard aerial with just under 10 minutes left. Schmitt completed 20-of-28 for 148 yards against the Wildcats. He threw two interceptions and one touchdown.

Northwestern appeared to be driving for a clinching touchdown on its following possession, but Ryan Downard intercepted a Mike Kafka pass at the EMU six-yard line and returned it to the 21. Given new life, Eastern Michigan marched 79 yards for a touchdown. Carithers’ kick knotted the score at 24-all.

NOTES: Which team will be more focused, and will that be a factor? After coming oh-so-close against Northwestern, EMU could either let down or come out with swinging against its next opponent –   Washtenaw County rival Michigan. The Wolverines are coming off an emotional win over Notre Dame and will follow the Eastern Michigan home game with another home date against Indiana before traveling to Michigan State.
- Both Northwestern and Eastern Michigan capitalized once inside the red zone. The Eagles converted 3-of-3, while Northwestern got points on 3-of-4 trips.
- Eastern Michigan picked up first downs on just 2-of-10 third down conversion opportunities against Northwestern.