Eastern Michigan football coughs up lead, falls to Toledo; Alma, Albion roll

Tucker Gleason threw for three touchdowns and his short toss to Lenny Kuhl with just over two minutes left gave Toledo its first lead in a 27-24 come-from-behind win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday in Ypsilanti.

The MAC West division leaders, Toledo (6-3, 4-1) tied the game twice on Gleason touchdown passes, but Eastern Michigan held a 24-17 lead to start the fourth quarter on Samson Evans’ third rushing touchdown of the game.

Gleason was 15 of 27 for 238 yards, throwing 14 yards to Mikel Barkley to tie the game at 10-10 and 35 yards to Jerjuan Newton to knot it at 17-17 before driving the Rockets 74 yards in 12 plays to score the game-winning touchdown. Devin Maddox caught three passes for 80 yards and Barkley caught six for 79.

Evans carried 24 times for 88 yards to lead Eastern Michigan (5-4, 2-3). The Eagles were held to just 217 yards of offense.

GLIAC

Davenport 29, Saginaw Valley State 28: Brenden Sherrod’s 27-yard touchdown catch with 9:51 to play gave visiting Panthers (8-0, 4-0 GLIAC) the lead for good. Jason Whittaker was 21-for-45 for 307 yards and three TDs, and Davenport recovered three SVSU fumbles. Jairus Grissom had 18 carries for 154 yards and three touchdowns for the Cardinals (6-3, 1-3).

Grand Valley State 42, Michigan Tech 7: Jaylon Tillman had 10 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown, and Cody Tierney added five catches for 106 yards and a score for the visiting Lakers (9-0, 4-0), which outgained the Huskies, 552-167. After MTU (3-6, 2-3) scored to cut the lead to 14-7 early in the second quarter, GVSU scored the game’s final 28 points. Will Ark was 13-for-22 for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Ferris State 56, Northern Michigan 20: Carson Gulker had 14 carries for 111 yards and three touchdowns for the visiting Bulldogs (7-1, 3-1), who jumped out to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter and outgained the Wildcats, 609-311. Tyshon King and Rad Premovic each had a touchdown catch for NMU (3-6, 1-4).

MIAA

Albion 37, Adrian 9: The Britons improved to 8-0 (and 4-0 in MIAA play) as they neared a showdown with fellow unbeaten Alma for the MIAA title on Nov. 12. First up, Albion had to easily handle the visiting Bulldogs, who managed 339 yards of offense but didn’t reach the end zone until there were five seconds remaining in the first half. Albion went into the half up, 20-9, thanks to an aerial attack from Jack Bush, who finished 14-for-26 for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Mark Tocco had four catches for 128 yards and a touchdown for the Britons, who face 5-3 Olivet next week before their season finale vs. Alma.

Alma 49, Olivet 35: Quarterback Carter St. John needed just one quarter to decimate the host Comets, throwing for three TDs and rushing for another to spot the Scots (8-0, 4-0) a 28-0 lead going into the second period. St. John finished 24-for-34 for 227 yards, four touchdowns and an interception and added 11 carries for 91 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. For the Comets, who have lost three straight since starting 5-0, Thomas Foust came on in relief at quarterback and completed seven of 12 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns in leading Olivet to 35 second-half points. Alma will host Adrian next week in its bid to remain undefeated entering the season finale against Albion.

Hope 66, Kalamazoo 20: The Flying Dutchmen (5-4, 2-3) scored 38 straight points in the second and third quarters at home to sting the Hornets (3-6, 0-5). Quarterback Chase Brown went 23-for-31 for 382 yards and two touchdowns and added another 25 rushing yards on four carries in leading the Dutchmen to 604 yards of total offense. The Hornets had 321 yards of offense despite being held to minus-13 yards on the ground.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Eastern Michigan football coughs up lead, falls to Toledo