This is a game log of Michigan Football vs EMU on September 17th 2011 at Michigan Stadium
11:30 – While Back in Black is being piped through the Big House, Brady Hoke in his trademark black pants watches the team run through some plays. Hoke is the only Michigan coach to sport the black action slacks, the rest of the coaches wear the traditional khakis.
Taylor Lewan and Denard Robinson
11:35 – The team gathers at the 20 yard line in a huddle. After the huddle breaks Denard Robinson and Taylor Lewan execute their routine in which Denard jumps into the air and Lewan grabs hold of him and holds him up over his head as if Denard was flying.
11:38 – The Michigan starting defense is announced. Among the starters are two former walk ons; Jordan Kovacs and Will Heininger. Brandin Hawthorne is announced as a starter, his first career start.
11:54 – Michigan takes the field, running under the Go Blue banner.
11:59 – The coin is tossed. Michigan wins the toss and defers to the second half. I love that Hoke will always defer.
12:01 – Matt Wile kicks off
12:02 – On their first play Eastern decides to test Michigan deep. It was a great idea, but the pass was overthrown.
12:03 Eastern’s Javonti Greene slices through the Michigan defense for a 13 yard gain – not a good sign.
12:05 – Two Michigan defenders have a chance to sack Alex Gillet and they both whiff. Gillett then takes off on a long run.
12:06 – Jibreel Black forces Eastern’s Javonti Greene to fumble. Thomas Gordon recovers it to stall what had been an effective drive by the Eagles.
12:08 – Denard Robinson turns what should have been a negative play into a 14 yard gain.
12:10 – 4th and 5 from the Eastern 35 and Michigan elects to go for it. Robinson throws a pass intended for Junior Hemingway and it gets picked off my Darius Scott. That is Robinson’s 4th interception of the season.
12:13 – Jon Jansen, a member of the 1997 National Championship team, is introduced to the crowd and receives a hearty applause.
12:22 – Brandin Hawthorne has Gillet in his grip for a TFL and Gillet slips through for a 4 yard gain.
12:26 – Eastern 4th and goal from the 1 yard line. Jordan Kovacs with a big hit to deny EMU the TD and prevent Michigan from falling behind 7-0 for the third straight week.
12:36 – End of the 1st quarter which was uncomfortably dominated by EMU. The Eagles outgained Michigan 140 yards to 32. They also owned the time of possession battle with a 10:35 to 4:25 advantage.
12:40 – Eastern opens up the 2nd quarter by kicking a field goal to take a 3-0 lead. The Eagles have come out and punched Michigan in the mouth.
12:47 – Matt Wile punts for the second time which equals the number of first downs gained by the offense.
12:49 – Thomas Gordon with a sensational 1 handed interception. Gordon adds the pick to the fumble recovery he nabbed earlier.
12:50 – On the first play after the Gordon INT, Robinson dashes for 52 yards to more than double Michigan’s previous yardage total.
12:54 – Robinson to Kevin Koger for a TD. Michigan takes the lead 7-3. Gordon’s interception proves an early turning point as EMU was on the verge of possibly going up 10-0.
1:00 – Jake Ryan explodes through the line for a TFL.
1:01 – With 7 minutes to play in the 1st half, Eastern punts for the first time.
1:13 – A penalty wipes out 90 yard Jeremy Gallon punt return in which he broke several tackles.
1:15 – Vincent Smith with a nifty 38 yard run – I’d like to see him get some more touches.
1:18 – Denard Robinson caps a 6 play, 87 yard drive with an 11 yard TD run. Michigan takes a 14-3 lead with 39 seconds to play in the first half.
1:24 – EMU misses a 50 yard field goal as time expires in the first half.
Second half
1:51 – Vincent Smith rips of a 27 yard run on a great read-option by Denard Robinson.
2:02 – Fitz Toussaint dives in from the 1 yard line to cap a 13 play, 83 yard drive to open the second half and give Michigan a 21-7 lead.D is Toussaint’s third of the season.
2:06 – Craig Roh and Mike Martin combine for a sack on EMU’s first offensive play of the half. That play leads to a 3 and out for the Michigan defense.
2:09 – On 3rd and 5 Robinson connects with Jeremy Gallon for an 18 yard gain. Gallon with some good yards after contact.
2:15 – Robinson hits Drew Dileo for a 19 yard TD giving Michigan a 28-3 lead. That is the first career touchdown for the sophomore receiver.
2:21 – End of the 3rd quarter and the Michigan Stadium crowd is rolling with the slow-motion wave.
2:22 – The wave kicks into hyper speed.
2:37 – Vincent Smith with an 11 yard run, that puts him over 100 yards for the game.
2:46 – Brendan Gibbons converts his first field goal attempt of the season, a 21 yarder.
2:56 – End of game – Michigan wins 31-3
