CMU loses second straight to EMU, 56-52

Brian Manzullo

YPSILANTI- EMU quarterback Andy Schmitt made sure to send coach Jeff Genyk out with a win.

The EMU (3-9 overall, 2-6 Mid-American Conference) quarterback set an NCAA division I record with 58 completions en route to a 56-52 victory over CMU (8-4, 6-2 MAC) Friday.

“Andy Schmitt was spectacular. I knew coming in here that they were a very, very good football team,” said CMU head coach Butch Jones. “They were very explosive offensively and you saw that today.”

EMU receiver Tyler Jones tied an NCAA division I-A record with 23 receptions. Jones tied former UNLV receiver Andy Gatewood, who had 23 receptions for the Rebels on Sept. 17, 1994, against Idaho.

The loss marks the first time since 2005 that the Chippewas lost two consecutive MAC games. That year, CMU lost to NIU and Western in consecutive weeks.

Jones said despite the Chippewas’ second straight MAC loss, he still believes his team will reach a bowl game.

“If we go to a bowl game, we’ll only be the fourth team in the history of the Mid-American Conference to go to three straight bowl games,” Jones said. “Right now hopefully we have one more opportunity left for our seniors.”

Jones said the bowl destination did not matter, only that the team was offered a bid.

Genyk was coaching in his final game after being fired by the university administration on Monday. With the win, Genyk completed his coaching tenure at EMU with a 4-1 record against CMU.

Check back at cm-life.com later this afternoon for updates from today’s game.