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YPSILANTI, Mich. - Ball State's football team built up a 24-9 lead at the half on the strength of three Nate Davis touchdown passes and a 42-yard field goal by freshman Jake Hogue to lead the team to a Mid-American Conference West Division victory at Eastern Michigan.
"Obviously, it is always great to get a win," Ball State head coach Brady Hoke says. "It was a very important win, but every win is important. We have to compete to win, after all that is the object of the game. A win in the West Division is extremely important, but we have to try to win every week."
With the win, the Cardinals improve to 1-0 in the MAC West, 1-1 in the conference overall and 1-1 on the season. The loss drops the Eagles to 1-1 on the season and 0-1 in MAC play.
Ball State added to its lead with a 3-yard touchdown run by MiQuale Lewis with 11:21 left in the fourth quarter, and took home the 38-16 victory after Davis and Dante Love combined on a 27-yard TD with 4:17 to play in the contest.
The Ball State offense combined for 153 yards rushing and 306 yards passing, with MiQuale Lewis, Dante Love and Frank Edmonds leading the attack behind Nate Davis' offense. Davis completed 19-of-38 passes for 306 yards with four touchdowns, while Love managed seven catches for 114 yards and 2 TDs plus rushed for 37 yards on three carries. Lewis had 21 rushes for 73 yards and one score, while Edmonds managed 46 yards rushing on 14 carries.
Ball State started the day's scoring with a touchdown pass from Davis to sophomore tight end Darius Hill with 10:29 left in the first quarter. Eastern Michigan answered back with a 41-yard field goal with 5:52 left in the first stanza. The Cardinals increased the lead to 14-3 after a Davis to Joe Everett 15-yard scoring strike with 1:04 to play in the first quarter. The play marked the first career reception and first career receiving TD for the redshirt freshman wide receiver.
"It was not what I would call a clean game," Hoke says. "We did not have great rhythm offensively for the majority of the game. We gave up some big plays defensively, and the kick return for a touchdown is not acceptable. Special teams will be a point of emphasis."
Ball State will play at Navy Saturday in the second of three straight road games before returning to the friendly confines of Scheumann Stadium for a Sept. 29 home game vs. Buffalo. | 
