Football Team Improves to 8-0 with 38-16 Victory

MUNCIE, Ind. - In its first home game since being nationally ranked, the Ball State football team defeated Mid-American Conference foe Eastern Michigan, 38-16 Saturday, Oct. 25 in front of 20,948 fans at Scheumann Stadium.

“I think our fans, our students and our community provide great support and that's what really energizes us,” Ball State head coach Brady Hoke says.

Ball State improved to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the MAC by utilizing an efficient offense in the second half against the Eagles. After battling Eastern Michigan and the first half and claiming a 10-0 halftime lead, the Cardinals broke the game open in the second half, scoring 28 points, their second-highest total after halftime this season.

“If you let teams hang around in a close game, you put yourselves in a position to be beat,” said Hoke. “I thought we came out with a great mentality in the second half and we were able to put the game away.”

The Cardinals defense was equally impressive, forcing two turnovers and allowing less than 20 points for the third consecutive game and fourth time this season.

Senior defensive back Trey Buice recorded the second Ball State interception of the game, returning it for the Cardinals final touchdown. The interception was Buice's second of the season and fourth of his career.

Following the final score, sophomore placekicker Ian McGarvey converted his fifth extra point of the game and 48^th consecutive PAT overall, building on his school record set at Western Kentucky. McGarvey also put the Cardinals on the board for the first time with a 27-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Junior defensive back Alex Knipp tallied the other Ball State interception with his pick in the third quarter. The interception was his second on the season and eighth of his career.

Senior linebacker Kenny Meeks continued to create opportunities for the secondary by putting pressure on Eastern Michigan (2-7, 1-4 MAC) and racking up his team-high fifth sack of the season.

The offense was paced by junior quarterback Nate Davis, who compiled three total touchdowns. The Cardinals lone first half touchdown came on a play from the EMU four-yard line, resulting in Davis' first career touchdown reception. Davis pitched the ball to freshman wide receiver Briggs Orsbon and rolled out to the left side where Orsbon found the quarterback wide open capping a six-play, 53-yard drive. The touchdown pass, which put BSU in front 10-0, was also a career first for Orsbon.

The tandem switched roles late in the third quarter, connecting on a six-yard strike and giving Ball State a 24-0 advantage, and marking the fourth time Orsbon has found the endzone in his career.

Davis also found senior tight end Darius Hill for the Cardinals first of four second half touchdowns with 10:43 remaining in the third quarter.

Junior running back MiQuale Lewis balanced the offensive attack, rushing for 75 yards boosted by a career-long run of 52 yards, concluding in a touchdown. The touchdown was Lewis' 14^th of the season and marked the sixth straight game the running back has scored.

The offensive line allowed just one sack, providing Davis plenty of time to throw. The sack was just the seventh of the season. The Cardinals entered the game ranked eighth in the nation and first in the MAC for fewest sacks allowed with 0.86 per game.

The Eagles ended the third quarter with their first touchdown of the game. Jacory Stone reeled in a 7-yard pass from Andy Schmitt, shrinking the BSU lead to 24-7 heading into the final frame.

Ball State left little doubt of the end result, responding quickly with the 52-yard touchdown from Lewis on a drive that lasted 23 seconds and pushed the Cardinals lead back to 24, 31-7.

Using a good chunk of the fourth quarter, the Eagles put together a 14-play drive in 5:16 ending in another Schmitt touchdown pass, this time to Tyler Jones. After the failed two-point conversion, the Cardinals led 31-13.

EMU added a field goal following the touchdown interception return by Buice for the final score.

The Cardinals will have to wait until Wednesday, Nov. 5, to take the field again when they host MAC rival Northern Illinois on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. at Scheumann Stadium.

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Team Stats

Nate Davis

Briggs Orsbon

Players Mentioned

Trey Buice

Nate Davis

Darius Hill

Alex Knipp

MiQuale Lewis

Ian McGarvey

Kenny Meeks

Briggs Orsbon

Players Mentioned

Trey Buice

Nate Davis

Darius Hill

Alex Knipp

MiQuale Lewis

Ian McGarvey

Kenny Meeks

Briggs Orsbon