Ball State University
3-5 , 2-2
Eastern Michigan
4-4 , 2-3
Football Suffers 42-20 Homecoming Setback to Eastern Michigan
October 20, 2018 | Football
Riley Neal throws for touchdown, runs for score in BSU defeat
Â
The Eagles scored three times in the first half, starting each of those three drives in Ball State territory, to build a 21-6 lead at the break on the way to spoiling the Cardinals' Homecoming. Winds gusted around 40 miles per hour on a blustery day at Scheumann Stadium.
Â
Riley Neal threw a touchdown to Riley Miller in the first half and ran for another in the second. He hit Justin Hall 10 times for 81 yards. But the Cardinals struggled to sustain drives for much of the afternoon.
Â
"We just could never get on track and get anything consistent going," Ball State head coach Mike Neu said. "Our running game has been a bit of a challenge the past couple weeks, but we've also played a couple of really good defensive teams. We have to keep grinding because that's something we have to be able to do."
Â
Redshirt freshman Will Jones provided perhaps the biggest highlight of the day for Ball State (3-5, 2-2 MAC) in the final minutes. The local product from Lapel High School ran 80 yards for a touchdown – the team's longest play of the season – on the Cardinals' final possession.
Â
ÂHow about this for your first college touchdown??? Will Jones goes right up the middle and out-runs the Eastern Michigan defense 80 yards for a score. pic.twitter.com/eJVfugqIXU
— Ball State Sports (@BallStateSports) October 20, 2018
Eastern Michigan quarterback Tyler Wiegers hit three different receivers for touchdowns and also ran for one. He finished the game 22-of-28 through the air for 257 yards.
Â
"Our defense has been good, and today certainly wasn't our best day all the way around," Neu said. "(Wiegers) made some throws into the wind in tough conditions. He executed their offense and made some big throws when he needed to. You have to tip your cap to him."
Â
EMU (4-4, 2-3 MAC) started three first-half drives on the Ball State half of the 50, cashing in for touchdowns after an interception, a fumble and a BSU punt into the wind.
Â
Ball State's first-half touchdown came when Neal hit Miller, who made an over-the-shoulder catch and got his feet down in the front right corner of the end zone.
Â
ÂHow about those ?? from Riley Miller and the ability to get his ?? in bounds! The connection from Riley Neal gets @BallStateFB on the board. The Cardinals trail Eastern Michigan 14-6 in the second quarter. pic.twitter.com/ir4aYPdymz
— Ball State Sports (@BallStateSports) October 20, 2018
Neal's touchdown run in the third quarter brought Ball State within two scores again, but Eastern Michigan answered immediately with a Wiegers' touchdown pass to Isaac Holder to give itself more breathing room.
Â
Ball State will face a quick turnaround, hitting the road this week for a Thursday night matchup at Ohio. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
Â
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
Â
Â
Team Stats
EMU 7, BALL 0
EMU - VANN, Shaq 1 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 8 plays, 33 yards, TOP 3:30
EMU 14, BALL 0
EMU - LATU, Line 41 yd pass from WIEGERS, Tyler (RYLAND, Chad kick) 3 plays, 42 yards, TOP 1:37
EMU 14, BALL 6
BALL - MILLER, Riley 16 yd pass from NEAL, Riley (TEAM rushfailed) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:44
EMU 21, BALL 6
EMU - WIEGERS, Tyler 1 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 5 plays, 48 yards, TOP 0:53
EMU 28, BALL 6
EMU - JACKSON, Arthur 17 yd pass from WIEGERS, Tyler (RYLAND, Chad kick) 7 plays, 62 yards, TOP 3:03
EMU 28, BALL 13
BALL - NEAL, Riley 11 yd run (HAGEE, Morgan kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:45
EMU 35, BALL 13
EMU - HOLDER, Isaac 41 yd pass from WIEGERS, Tyler (RYLAND, Chad kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:15
EMU 42, BALL 13
EMU - STIEBELING, I. 14 yd run (RYLAND, Chad kick), 5 plays, 43 yards, TOP 2:49
EMU 42, BALL 20
BALL - JONES, Will 80 yd run (HAGEE, Morgan kick), 1 plays, 80 yards, TOP 0:12
