Ball State University
Eastern Michigan
Lewis and Sykes Combine for 504 Yards In Football's 29-27 Win
October 24, 2009 | Football
Lewis' 301 yards broke the previous school record of 260 by Earl Taylor vs. Eastern Michigan in 1976.
The accomplishment by Lewis and Sykes marks only the fourth time in NCAA history two players from the same team rushed for 200 or more yards in the same game.
"We had to change our attack today," Ball State head coach Stan Parrish says. "We have three really good running backs. MiQuale Lewis did not forget how to rush for 1,700 yards, we just have not done as good a job blocking for him."
Eastern Michigan got on the board first after quarterback Kyle McMahon completed a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ben Thayer in the Eagles opening drive.
Ball State quickly answered back with a 51-yard touchdown run from Cory Sykes. It was Sykes first touchdown of the season and his longest rush of the year.
Eastern Michigan increased its lead to 20-6 after two field goals and one touchdown.
"We got down 14 points and could not do much more wrong," Parrish says. "Winning is hard and we made it really hard. Our kids kept their focus and kept pounding."
Ball State's Lewis ran for a season long 48-yards for his fourth rushing touchdown of the season at the 4:06 mark of the second quarter, making it a 20-13 game at the half.
At the start of the second half the Eagles DeAnthony White rushed for 10-yards to put EMU up 27-13 at the 10:44 mark.
The Cardinals answered back after a six-yard run from Sykes which cut Ball State's deficit by only a touchdown 27-20 with 6:37 left in the third quarter.
Robert Eddins blocked his second punt of the season and third of his career to give Ball State its first team safety of the year.
"When we blocked the punt that was a huge turning point in the game," Parrish says. "To get the points on the safety and then get the ball back on the short field was a big momentum change in the game."
Sykes would give the Cardinals their first lead of the ball game after a 45-yard rushing touchdown making it 29-27 with 1:47 remaining in the third quarter which would turn out to be the game winner for Ball State.
Ball State is now 1-7 overall and 1-3 MAC while the Eagles fall to 0-7 and 0-4 in league play.
1st quarter
Eastern Michigan 7:12 - Kyle McMahon three-yard pass to Ben Thayer (11 plays, 45 yards, 5:52) (Joe Carithers kick good)
EMU 7, BSU 0
Ball State 4:52 - Cory Sykes 51-yard run (1 play, 51 yards, :10) (Steven Schott kick blocked)
EMU 7, BSU 6
2nd quarter
Eastern Michigan 10:59 - Joe Carither 20-yard field goal (9 plays, 35 yards, 3:55)
EMU 10, BSU 6
Eastern Michigan 9:23 - Cory Welch 12-yard run (2 plays, 36 yards, 9:23) (Carithers kick good)
EMU 17, BSU 6
Eastern Michigan 6:37 - Joe Carithers 26-yard field goal (6 plays, 18 yards, 1:44)
EMU 20, BSU 6
Ball State - 4:06 - MiQuale Lewis 48-yard run (5 plays, 74 yards, 2:26) (Steven Schott kick good)
EMU 20, BSU 13
3rd quarter
Eastern Michigan - 10:44 DeAnthony White 10-yard run (4 plays, 29-yards, 1:55) (Carithers kick good)
EMU 27, BSU 13
Ball State - 6:37 Cory Sykes 6-yard run (8 plays, 93 yards, 4:06) (Steven Schott kick good)
EMU 27, BSU 20
Ball State-5:33 Team Safety
EMU 27, BSU 22
Ball State - 1:47 Cory Sykes 45-yard run (6 plays, 64 yards, 3:41) (Steven Schott kick good)
BSU 29, EMU 27
