Cardinals Visit Eastern Michigan As Both Teams Hope to Snap Two-Game Skids

Ball State (1-4; 0-1 MAC) at Eastern Michigan (2-3; 0-1 MAC)
Game 6- at Eastern Michigan	Saturday, Oct. 7 at 3:30 p.m. Live Stats \| ESPN+
Notes	Ball State \| Eastern Michigan \| Media Center
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MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State continues its 49th season of Mid-American Conference play, visiting Eastern Michigan this week with hopes of garnering its first conference win.

** The Cardinals enter the week following a MAC-opening game at Western Michigan that began with a score on Ball State's first possession -- for the first time this season -- but also saw the Broncos answer with three straight touchdowns following the opening field goal. The 21-3 deficit proved too much to overcome.

** Ball State's offense improved greatly since its setback two weeks ago vs. Georgia Southern. Quarterback Layne Hatcher went the distance against Western Michigan, leading the offense and engineering a season-high 316 passing yards. Receiver Qian Magwood was the biggest beneficiary of Hatcher's 300+ yards, hauling in a career-high nine receptions for a career-best 110 yards.

** For the first time this season, Ball State's offense scored points in every quarter against Western Michigan - scoring a field goal on its opening drive, then a TD in each quarter

** The Cardinals are trying to get back on track in the MAC, three years removed from a conference title in 2020. After its 5-1 campaign in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and a win in the Camellia Bowl, Ball State finished 4-4 in the league in 2021 and 3-5 in 2022. Behind veteran-laden offensive and defensive lines leading play at the line of scrimmage, Ball State has high hopes of returning among MAC contenders in 2023.

** Defensive standouts last week were Cole Pearce and Sidney Houston Jr., who both recorded season highs with 10 tackles. Pearce added his first sack of the season and was credited with a pass break-up.

WHAT A WIN MEANS:

** The Cardinals will run their record to 2-3 and win their first road game of the season. It would be the Cardinals' first road win since beating Kent State 27-20 last season in Ohio.

** Ball State would snap a two-game skid and avoid a three-game losing streak.

** Mike Neu will capture his 35th victory as head coach of his alma mater, passing Brady Hoke's win total from 2003-08 with the seventh-most career coaching wins at Ball State.

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Cardinals Visit Eastern Michigan As Both Teams Hope to Snap Two-Game Skids

Players Mentioned

Layne Hatcher

Sidney Houston Jr.

Qian Magwood

Cole Pearce

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