[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s widely known that when facing off against any of the service academy, you better make sure you bring you’re A-game and be prepared for anything to happen on offense.
The Eastern Michigan Eagles perhaps didn’t get the memo on Saturday afternoon.
Taking a break from Mid-American Conference play, the Eagles were unable to overcome an early 17-point deficit, losing to Army West Point, 58-36, at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti.
Redshirt sophomore Brogan Roback led the way for the Eagles (1-3, 0-1 MAC), finishing 28-of-40 for 291 yards and two touchdowns and a interception. Senior Darius Jackson led the way on the ground with 141 total yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
It marked the fourth consecutive game Jackson has registered at least two touchdowns, marking the first time since the 1998 season that an EMU player has accomplished the feat.
Defensively, linebacker Great Ibe totaled a team-best 13 tackles, seven solo and six assisted, highlighted by 1.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, and one forced fumble for Eastern Michigan.
The Eagles defense struggled to contain the option offense of Army most of the night and only forced three punts.
Joe Walker and Aaron Kemper had touchdown runs for Army, who never trailed in ending a season-opening losing streak.
The win was Army’s first as a true road team since November 2010 and ended a 21-game string of losses away from home.
Walker’s 63-yard run early in the game gave the Black Knights (1-3) the lead for good and Kemper added a 56-yard scoring run in the second quarter to help Army lead 29-17 at the half.
Eastern Michigan trailed 36-30 late in the third quarter but Army answered with two Drue Harris’ touchdown runs. A.J. Schurr, who stepped in for injured starting quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw, added a pair of runs for scores.
The Eagles will hit the road for the second time this season, as they head to LSU next weekend for a non-conference bout with the unenviable task of slowing down star running back Leonard Fournette.
The contest marks EMU’s first game against a “power five” team this season. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and will be aired on ESPNU.
