Five Things Learned - Eastern Michigan at San Diego State

Like many Eastern Michigan fans, I stayed up late last. I watched a team fall behind early, catch up and then take the lead only to blow it in overtime. And then I said to myself, “I think I’ve seen this movie before”. And when I picked my brain, I realized that I saw it multiple times last year. So what can we learn from that? Well, here goes.

1. Playing Not to Lose Doesn’t Help in Winning

Eastern Michigan took the lead with a little over 3 minutes left in the game after Chad Ryland drilled a 34 yard field goal. Eastern Michigan then launched a squib kick that San Diego State’s Parker Houston returned to his 42 yard line. San Diego State then put forward a nice little drive to re-tie the score at 20. Eastern Michigan regained possession with 1:16 left on the clock. The next three plays were Shaq Vann runs up the middle for little gain forcing Eastern Michigan to punt the ball back. After a nice sack by Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan forced overtime. In overtime, the Mike Glass pass was intercepted. San Diego State went on to win the game on a John Baron field goal. I’m not sure if the outcome would have been different, but it seemed like Eastern Michigan has enough time to try to win the game rather than settling for overtime.

Kenneth Bailey

2. Eastern Michigan’s rushing game is improving.

Eastern Michigan was able to gain over 100 yards on the ground last night. A good chunk of that was Shaq Vann’s 76 yards. This was against a particularly stingy defense.

3. Maxx Crosby is the man

He got 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss last night. He made a key sack last night that ended the drive where San Diego State might have taken the lead in regulation.

4. I don’t like losing.

Especially when I think the team had a good chance of winning. I saw Eastern Michigan blow too many games last year by going conservative.

5. Still a Quarterback Controversy

Tyler Wiegers started the game last night. He looked kind of flat, so Mike Glass was put in. Mike Glass looked pretty solid and was a big reason for the comeback but he threw the interception that ultimately cost the game. Both quarterbacks are good but I still wish Creighton would stick to one of them.