For over three quarters, Matt Bohnet had Eastern Michigan in position for a season-opening upset last Saturday.

He had just guided EMU on an 81-yard drive in only six fourth-quarter plays, getting the Eagles within two points of favored Cincinnati at 28-26. But the senior quarterback's two-point conversion pass was off target, and Eastern couldn't take advantage of two late-game chances.

"He played well enough for three and a half quarters to win," said EMU coach Jeff Genyk, whose squad hosts Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns at 5 p.m. (CDT) Saturday at Rynearson Stadium. "All of a sudden he short-armed a two-point conversion, and that got in his head and he wasn't able to convert at the end of the game."

It was one of the few times the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder didn't convert. He finished 22-of-33 passing for 167 yards and a score and also ran for 65 yards out of the Eagles' spread formation.

"For the most part, we did a fairly good job offensively," Bohnet said. "We, and myself personally, just didn't execute."

Twice in the final quarter, after coming so close to the tying score, the Eagles drove within a wingspan or two of getting All-American kicker Andrew Wellock within range of a game-winner. Both times, EMU came up short on fourth down.

"I'm a little shocked that our offense couldn't get us 15 yards in those two series," Genyk said. "We had evidence from last year that our offense could get it done and find a way to win the game, but you have to execute."

"That's a tough one to swallow," Bohnet said. "We just have to continue to improve."

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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com