Michigan 31, E. Michigan 3

Michigan 31, E. Michigan 3

Published Sep. 17, 2011 8:24 p.m. ET

Denard Robinson ran for 198 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, leading Michigan to a 31-3 win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

The Wolverines (3-0) started poorly on both sides of the ball, trailing early in the second quarter, and finished strong.

Robinson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to give Michigan a 28-3 lead late in the third quarter.

The Eagles (2-1) drove into Michigan territory on their first five possessions, but came away with just a field goal. They fumbled, got stopped on fourth-and-goal from the 1, threw an interception and punted in a half filled with missed opportunities.

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Michigan insisted it would be fired up to play Eastern Michigan after facing the Fighting Irish, but the differences between the games were night and day.

The Wolverines came out flat for the noon start with some less-than-full sections at the Big House following their first prime-time game at home in front of an NCAA record crowd that ended with a dramatic victory in the final seconds against Notre Dame.

Eastern Michigan took advantage - kind of.

Javonti Greene, who ran for 22 yards on his first three carries, fumbled at the Michigan 35 on the opening possession.

Darius Scott intercepted one of Robinson's many errant passes on the Wolverines' first drive and the Eagles held them to a three-and-out possession the next time they had the ball.

The Eagles went from their 27 to the Michigan 1 on their second, but Green got stopped on fourth down.

Eastern Michigan took a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter, quieting the crowd of 110,343, and then limited Michigan to 9 yards on its next drive.

Eagles coach Ron English, a former Michigan assistant, went for some razzle-dazzle on the next snap and a lateral turned into an interception.

The Eagles never recovered.

Robinson threw a 9-yard pass to Kevin Koger with 9:28 left in the first half to give the Wolverines their first lead. He connected with Drew Dileo on a 19-yard pass in which he faked a draw, making it 28-3 late in the third quarter.

The Wolverines attempted and made their first field goal with 4:32 left - a drive Robinson led - from 21 yards by Brendan Gibbons.

Michigan's first-year coach Brady Hoke improved his career record to 50-50, entering next week's game at home against his former employer, San Diego State.

Robinson was 7 of 18 for 95 yards, two TDs and an interception in another lackluster passing performance. He ran 26 times for 198 yards and a score. Vincent Smith had 118 yards rushing on nine attempts.

Alex Gillett was 3 of 5 for 29 yards and ran 11 times for 61 yards. Greene ran for 80 yards on 21 carries.

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