It started just as everyone thought it would. Eastern Michigan's first play of the game was a Tyler Benz pass that was picked off by Dan Molls, and Terrance Owens easily converted the short field into a touchdown.
But... on Eastern's next drive, when Benz overthrew Demarius Reed on 3rd and 9 from the Rockets 29 yard line, Jermaine Robinson drilled Reed out of bounds, and was flagged for unnecessary roughness. The Eagles used the new life to get close enough for a field goal, their first points scored in the first quarter all year.
Later in the quarter, Owens tossed a pass directly to Marcel Rose on Eastern's 42 yard line, apparently enamored with Eastern's "As Gray As Our Souls" jerseys. Using the short field, Benz hit Donald Scott on a beautiful 40 yard toss, and then connected with Tyresse Russel on a 10 yard touchdown pass.