FREE: Black Knights’ ‘D’ stops 2-point try to preserve Army win 28-27
It turned out to be much closer game than most people predicted, but the Black Knights came up with a big stop on a two-point conversion attempt by Eastern Michigan to hold onto a 28-27 win and extend their home field winning streak to 4 this season.
EMU’s quarterback Brogan Roback completed 19 of 27 attempts for 3 TDs, including a couple of wild completions under heavy pressure to keep three EMU scoring drives alive. However, EMU couldn’t contain the Black Knight running attack allowing Army West Point to score on sustained drives of 93, 75, and 83 yards, as Nick Schrage was only sent out to punt once in the game.
First Quarter - EMU scores first but Army evens it up on a 93 yard drive
The game started with Eastern Michigan taking the opening kickoff for a touchback to start their first possession on their 25. The Eagles took to the air with Roback completing all 5 of his pass attempts in their first possession to take an early 7-0 lead, completing their 75 yard drive in 8 plays.
Kell Walker returned the EMU kickoff to the 10, but a dubious illegal block call pushed them back to the Army 7 where Army West Point started its first possession. Fullback Andy Davidson picked up 5 yards on the first play, and QB Ahmad Bradshaw was dropped for a 2 yard loss on the second, but Bradshaw got a big first down on a quarterback draw to keep the drive alive. Walker, Davidson, reserve fullback Connor Slomka, and Bradshaw took turns carrying the ball to the EMU 9 and after the Eagles defense held for two plays, Bradshaw took it in from 10 yards out on the 15th play of the drive to even the score at 7-7.
The Eagles returned the kickoff to the 16, but an illegal wedge call on EMU set them back to the 8. The Eagles got two yards in two plays and then Roback threw a pass up for grabs under heavy pressure that Bailey stole away from two Army defenders for a first down. Eriksen picked up 23 yards to the Army 44 and Roback passed for another 5 to the Army 39 as time ran out in the first quarter.
Second Quarter - EMU and Army trade scores for a tie at halftime
The Eagles had a 5 yard penalty that set them back to the 44, but Roback threw the ball over the reach of Justin Thomas for a 44 yard TD that put EMU back in the lead at 14-7.
Walker let the EMU kickoff go into the end zone for a touchback to start Army’s second possession on the 25. Davidson and Bradshaw combined for a quick first down to the 44. Bradshaw got 5 to the 49, and fullback Darnell Woolfolk made his first carry since returning to action, picking up 3 to the EMU 48 before Davidson converted on third down. Walker gained a short 2 and Bradshaw carried for another first down to the EMU 32. Walker was held for no gain, but Bradshaw picked up 9 on second down, and Woolfolk came in again for another first down at the EMU 17. Walker took the pitch and carried it in from there to even the score at 14-14. Army took 11 plays and used up 6 minutes on the 75 yard drive.
Nick Schrage kickedoff short and EMU returned the ball to their 28 to start their next possession. EMU mixed in a couple of runs with a 12 yard pass to reach the Army 42, but defensive end Kenneth Brinson stopped one receiver for no gain, and safety Max Regan held a second pass to 1 yard, bringing up a 3d and 9. Roback was pressured on his next pass attempt and threw it incomplete forcing EMU to punt the ball to cornerback Mike Reynolds at the Army 9.
Walker picked up a quick first down and got 3 on his next run, but Bradshaw was dropped for a 1 yard loss to bring up 3d and 7 on the Army 24, and head coach Jeff Monken called a timeout to talk it over. Bradshaw gained 4 to bring up a 4th and 3, and Schrage came on for his only punt of the game which he kicked out of bounds at the EMU 33.
The Eagles picked up 4 yards on two rushing attempts, but on third down, linebacker Cole Christiansen picked off an errant Roback pass to give Army the ball back on their 48 with 1:26 left in the half. Bradshaw threw incomplete to John Trainor on the first play, and then lost yardage on second, but Walker kept the drive alive with a 14 yard gaine for a first down at the EMU 35. Walker got another 2 yards to the 33, but then Jeff Monken went to the air calling 3 pass plays in a row, including a 4th down Hail Mary attempt by Kevin Hopkins. EMU was prepared and knocked all three attempts down to bring the half to a close with the score tied at 14-14.
Third Quarter - Army takes a lead but EMU threatens to tie again
EMU kicked off to start the second half, and Walker carried it out to the 26 to start Army West Point’s first possession of the half. Walker carried for 7 and then broke loose for 26 to the EMU 41. Then a five yard false start set Army back to the 46, Walker was dropped for a loss of 5, and Bradshaw lost another 1 to bring up 3d and 20. Bradshaw got 9 back on third down and Monken sent in Zack Potter for a fake punt. Potter threw a perfect strike that Justin Thomas dropped to turn the ball over to the Eagles on the EMU 43.
A 5 yard run and a 7 yard pass took EMU into Army territory on the 41. On the next play Roback completed what appeared to be a touchdown pass, but a the play was called back on a holding call. EMU ran for no gain and then Brinson knocked down Roback’s pass attempt forcing EMU to punt the ball to Army at the 6.
Davidson carried for 3 and Bradshaw was stopped for a short 2, but on third down, Bradshaw broke loose off tackle for a 69 yard gain to the EMU 18. Woolfolk carried twice for another first down at the 7, and then carried a third straight time to the two before Slomka came in to finish off the drive with a 2 yard touchdown plunge; and Army took their first lead of the game at 21-14 with 5 minutes left in the third quarter.
EMU returned the ball to their 22. Roback threw incomplete on first down but Eriksen found a hole for a 12 yard first down to the 34, a five yard off-side penalty put the ball on the 39 and Eriksen ran two yards for another first down. Two short runs picked up 5, and Roback completed for 12 yards and a first down at the Army 38. Two more runs by Eriksen got EMU to the 12 as time ran out in the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter - EMU ties it up but Army scores again and holds on
Eriksen picked up 4 yards to the 8, and Roback threw a pass out of bounds before finding Sexton in the end zone to tie the score at 21-21 to start the fourth.
Walker returned the kickoff to the 17, where Army started their final scoring drive. Woolfolk picked up 4 and Bradshaw ran it to the 30. Slomka and Woolfolk combined to move the chains to the 41. Two short runs brought 3d and 5 and a pitch to Davidson came up a yard short on the 50. As expected Monken went for it on 4th, and Slomka converted with 2 yards to spare. Woolfolk gained a short 3, Bradshaw got 5 and Slomka converted with a 2 yard carry. Davidson was held to 3 and Bradshaw picked up 2 to make it 3d and 5, before Bradshaw gained 14 for another first down at the EMU 19. Slomka got 6 and then Woolfolk ran up the middle for a 13 yard touchdown to put Army West Point back in the lead 28-21.
Nick Schrage’s kickoff brushed inside the goal markers for a touchback, and EMU started their final possession on the 25 with 5:06 on the clock. EMU got a first down to the 35 and two short gains brought up 3d and 3. Army broke up a pass to bring up 4th and 3 but EMU decided to go for it. Roback was pressured but lobbed a ball up for an ugly pass that was grabbed by Johnson for a first down at the Army 41. Eriksen picked up 3 to the Army 38 and Roback threw incomplete to bring up another 3d down with 7 to go for the first. James Gibson was called for pass interference giving EMU another first down on the Army 23, with 2:05 left on the clock. Roback threw a quick pass to the 14, and Eriksen carried for 4 for an EMU first downon the 10. Eriksen picked up 2 to the 8 and on the next play Roback threw a perfect pass to Bailey for a TD. EMU elected to gamble by going for 2 and the lead with 49 seconds left. A pass to the end zone fell incomplete, but the there was a timeout called before the play, and on the second attempt Roback handed the ball to Eriksen for the conversion attempt.
Gibby made a ‘HUGE’ hit/tackle to stop the 2 point attempt and preserve the one point lead.
EMU made one last ditch try with an on-side kick attempt, but John Voit caught the ball to end the on-side attempt, and the Black Knights went to the victory formation.
Quick Stats
Army West Point rushed for 413 yards led by Ahmad Bradshaw’s 171 yards and Kell Walker’s 115. A trio of B-backs, Woolfolk, Davidson, and Slomka combined for 122 yards.
Army was 0 for 5 passing in a game that included a Hail Mary attempt by Kelvin Hopkins at the end of the first half, and a pass attempt off the fake punt by Zack Potter. EMU had 344 yards of Total Offense on 229 yards passing and 115 yards rushing.
Stay tuned for a more in-depth analysis in our GBK Monday Morning Quarterback Analysis
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