YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP)—Idaho edged Eastern Michigan 45-41 Saturday on the strength of freshman running backs Jayson Bird and Rolly Lumbala, who had three touchdowns apiece.
Bird led the running attack with 125 yards on 26 carries for the Vandals (1-4). Lumbala had 37 yards on 12 carries and scored the go-ahead touchdown with about nine minutes left in the game.
The Eagles (1-4) jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead, but were down 35-21 by halftime after Bird ran for all three of his TDs and Lumbala scored twice on 1-yard runs.
Eastern made a comeback in the third when Anthony Sherrell ran in two touchdowns to tie it at 38 following field goals from both teams, including a 52-yarder from Eastern Michigan’s Andrew Wellock. Wellock then hit a 36-yard attempt early in the fourth to put the Eagles up 41-38.
But the lead was short-lived, as Idaho went ahead for good on Lumbala’s 1-yard run—the Vandals sixth rushing TD of the day.
Junior quarterback Michael Harrington—brother of Detroit Lions QB Joey Harrington—was 28 of 36 for 318 yards for Idaho. Joey Harrington was on hand to watch his younger brother play.
Eastern Michigan’s Sherrell had a touchdown reception and scored three times on the ground to finish with 128 rushing yards on 26 carries. Quarterback Matt Bohnet went 22-for-43 with two touchdowns and one interception.
Head to Head - Week 6
| Team | Total Yds | Pass Yds | Rush Yds | First Downs | 3rdD% | Pen./Yds | Turnovers | Time of Poss. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 464 | 318 | 146 | 24 | 50.0% | 5/55 | 2 | 32:33 |
| Eastern Michigan | 444 | 228 | 216 | 22 | 38.9% | 5/55 | 2 | 27:03 |