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BDawg35's Eastern Michigan Eagles
Week 4 2008

Eastern Michigan Eagles
vs
Akron Zips

Box Score1st2nd3rd4thFinal
Akron 0 3 0 7 10
Eastern Michigan 3 7 3 7 20

Defense shines as EMU beats Akron, 20-10

YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) - Is Lyle Garrison picking up where Corey Everson left off?

Someone will have to pick up the slack for Everson, the All-American cornerback who suffered a season-ending injury last week at Boise State. Garrison is more than willing and able to assume Everson's role of defensive touchdown machine, taking a pick 36 yards to the house with one minute left in the Hurons' 20-10 victory over Akron on Sept. 27, 2008.

Garrison has three interceptions in the Hurons' first four games. He has six interceptions and two touchdowns in the first 16 games of this dynasty.

"At times, it seems it doesn't matter who I put on the field, this year's version of the game will make them into a star defensive back," EMU coach B-Dawg said. "What set Corey apart was his 90 SPD, the fastest of anyone on our defense. Lyle seems to have a nose for the ball, as do Lorenzo Seaberry, Chris May, Jacob Wyatt ... pretty much anyone we put in our secondary. I'll bet I could put my second string out there and some of those guys would make All-MAC. It's just a weird version of the game."

The Hurons already had the game well in hand when Garrison scored his touchdown, leading 13-3 in the late stages.

A 1-yard run by fullback Brandon Downs was the only touchdown either inept offense could manage until two touchdowns were scored in the final 60 seconds. Sean Dutcher had two field goals for the Hurons (2-2), while Igor Iveljic had one for the Zips (0-3).

Akron didn't get into the end zone until the final play of the game, as David Harvey caught a 9-yard pass from Carlton Jackson.

Akron went for it on fourth-and-inches from Eastern's 22-yard line, but a screen pass to Matt Harmon took him out of bounds for a 2-yard loss with 3:32 left in the game. Spenser Smith had made a big play on third down, stopping Dennis Kennedy inches short of the first down.

"It was good to see our defense play this well again after the way they got lit up at Boise State," B-Dawg said. "We'll be in an awful lot of games if we can play this kind of defense and have only one turnover."

Quarterback Tyler Jones played a rare clean game, going 14-for-21 for 144 yards, no touchdowns and no picks. He also ran four times for 20 yards without fumbling.

It took 16 games, but B-Dawg finally saw a quarterback scramble out of the pocket when his receivers were covered. With 15 seconds left in the game, Jackson took off and ran when EMU's zone had the small field completely covered.

"I thought there was a coding flaw in this game," B-Dawg said. "I thought quarterbacks were incapable of taking deep shots or scrambling in passing situations. I have now seen one quarterback scramble in 15 games. Wow."

Players of the Game

Eastern Michigan

Lyle Garrison , CB

Akron

Kevin Grant , MLB  Note

Game Statistics
CategoryAkronEastern Michigan
First Downs1015
Total Offense223273
Rushes-YDS25-9134-129
Passing YDS132144
Turnovers21
Total Yards375378
T.O.P.12:3115:29
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