Ypsilanti, MI---August 31---Eastern Michigan scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to come from behind and defeat Howard, 34-24 in a non-conference game at Rynearson Stadium. After the Bison (0-1) took a 24-13 lead on a Greg McGhee one-yard sneak, the Eagles (1-0) woke up and seized control of the game.

First EMU put together an eight-play, 73-yard drive that was capped off by Bronson Hill's two-yard run. That narrowed the margin to 24-20 with 1:05 left in the third quarter.

Howard then helped the Eagles' cause when McGhee was intercepted by Sean Kurtz who returned it to the Howard 15-yard line. It took EMU four plays as Hill scored untouched from three yards out to give the hosts a 27-24 lead with 12:31 in the fourth quarter.
The Bison, who had put together three long scoring drives, were suddenly unable to get anything going and the Eagles were content to use the running of Hill (28 carries, 101 yards, 2 TDs) and Darius Jackson (7 carries, 64 yards) and the short passing game of Tyler Benz (19 of 26, 210 yards, 2 TDs) to work time off the clock.

"They ran the ball better in the second half and hit us in areas where we were hurt," said Cameron Alston, who finished with a game-high 14 tackles. "I thought the defensive line played especially well."

The Bison still had three chances to get back in the game, but each time, the Eagles came up with sacks or plays on defense to thwart their attempt.

"They made adjustments like any other team does, but it is up to us to execute and finish in the fourth quarter," said McGhee. "We played a good game and I am proud of this team."

EMU scored the game's last touchdown when Jackson weaved his way on a 19-yard TD run against a tough, but fatigued Howard defense.

Despite the defeat, the Bison came away from the game with a lot of positives. McGhee was especially sharp as he engineered scoring drives of 95 yards, 90 yards and 80 yards. The talented junior accounted for 264 yards of total offense, including a career-best 75-yard jaunt that set up his one-yard plunge.

The Bison lost three key starters (tight end Clayton Gidron, running back Aquanius Freeman and linebacker Khari Brown) during the game and found out before the game that their All-American safety Julien David, would not suit due to a right shoulder injury. Yet it remained resilient and had other players step up.

"Not having Julien David was a major loss," said Petty. "He is our defensive captain and exactly where they were attacking, is where he would have been playing."

Sophomore William Parker replaced starter and starting running back Aquanius Freeman and he responded with a career-best 82 yards, including a 65-yard jaunt for a TD.

"Hopefully, Aquanius will be ok," said Petty. "He was doing a great job until he got hurt. The thing I like most is that we never stopped competing. I am proud of the effort."

Sophomore John Fleck showed that he is much improved after averaging almost 47 yards on four punts and he hit a 43 yard field goal.

The Bison take on Morehouse College in the Third Annual AT&T Nation's Classic at RFK Stadium next Saturday at 3:30 pm while the Eagles travel to State Park, Pa to take on the Nittany Lions of Penn State.