Cardinals See First Home Defeat of 2025 Versus Eastern Michigan

MUNICE, Ind. – The Ball State football program saw its first blemish at Scheumann Stadium Saturday afternoon, falling to Eastern Michigan 24-9 in the Cardinals' home finale and ending its home campaign at 4-1 in front of 8,340 in attendance.

The Eagles (4-7, 3-4 MAC) put the exclamation point on the contest with a 36-yard rush past the goal line to extend their lead to 24-6 at the start of the fourth quarter. Although DC Pippin responded with a field goal from 38 yards out, Ball State (4-6, 3-3 MAC) was unable to spark a comeback at the latter part of the game.

Pippin was the Cardinals' lone scorer, going 3-3 on field goal attempts. Pippin kicked a season-best 42-yard field goal which gave Ball State its first points, as well as its sole score in the first half of play.

Eastern Michigan put up the first seven points in the game, breaking through the Cardinals' wall of defenders in a stalemate at the goal line at the conclusion of their opening drive. The Eagles posted two 43-yard scores in the second quarter, beginning with a season-long reception by Jamar Wheeler and followed by a Rudy Kessinger field goal.

Michael Gravely Jr. and Muheem McCargo gave the Cardinals two interceptions on the afternoon, the second occasion this season Ball State grabbed two of the opposition's arial attempts. After not having a single interception through the first six games Ball State has recorded five straight games with an interception, a feat the program last accomplished in 2019. Gravely Jr. also led Ball State's tackling effort, recording eight.

Also coming up with a big defensive play was Eric McClain, who tallied a forced fumble early in the first quarter. McClain was credited with two pass breakups and four total tackles.

Eric Weatherly led the receiving unit with the most catches, securing three. Qian Magwood led Ball State in yardage, tallying 19 yards. Kiael Kelly rushed for 67 yards on 15 attempts, including his longest run of 24.

Ball State coach Mike Uremovich declared afterwards, "This was the first time all year I felt we didn't play Ball State football. It was disappointing in every facet of the program, including me as head coach."

Uremovich continued: "But my goal the next two weeks is to get us another ball game for our seniors. They've bought in to everything we've tried to do, and they've never questioned anything. They deserve to get a bowl game, and that is still our goal to get them there."

Ball State looks to secure bowl eligibility as it wraps up the 2025 season on the road for their next two contests, starting with a visit to Toledo to battle the Rockets, on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.

Cardinals See First Home Defeat of 2025 Versus Eastern Michigan

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Team Stats

Kiael Kelly

Players Mentioned

Michael Gravely Jr.

Kiael Kelly

Qian Magwood

Muheem McCargo

Eric McClain

DC Pippin

Eric Weatherly