Waldo Staidum - Kalamazoo, MI
ESPNU
If Ball State's game against Toledo two weeks ago was huge, this week's matchup against Western Michigan might be considered ... well, colossal!!
The defending MAC champs and preseason favorites to win the West Division lost to Toledo and cannot afford another setback especially within the division. Conversely, of course, Western Michigan is off to an impressive 4-1 start with a 2-0 MAC mark. Dealing another loss to the Cardinals would be a be a major blow to BSU and step forward for the Broncos.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
BALL STATE CARDINALS (2-3, 0-1 MAC)
>> The Cardinals looked more like themselves last week -- or at least as much as anybody can when playing Army. The key point, however, is that Ball State got back in the win column. They did it by knocking off previously undefeated Army in Muncie.
QB Christian Anderson, who scorched Miami's RedHawks the previous week, did not play against BSU, but the option offense tends to wreck a good bit of havoc regardless of who is behind center. The Cardinals held Army to 213 rushing yards (3.5 ypc), which is likely less than any Black Knights opponent could expect.
>> The Black Knights still held the ball for 38:10, but Ball State held the visitors to 4-of-16 on third down conversions. Even with a 3-of-6 conversion rate on fourth down, Army was 7-of-22 on potential punt/kick situations.
>> Army does not throw a lot -- just enough to keep opponents a little honest. It helps to get an early lead, and BSU did just that by returning the opening kickoff 99 yards for a TD. A Jayson Jackson 44-yard score and Carson Steele's two-yard run gave the Cardinals a 21-0 edge before the first quarter was done.
That may have forced the Black Knights to pass a bit more as they tossed 15 passes, completing five. Two more, however, were picked off by BSU defenders Bryce Crosby and Trenton Hatfield .
>> Army scored its only offensive points on the day with two second quarter TDs. The defenses ruled after intermission.
>> As usual, it was a busy day for defenders, and three Cardinals notched double digit tackles -- Cole Pearce (14), Clayton Cole (12) and Jaylin Thomas (11).
>> Ball State had just 36 yards rushing on 26 attempts.
>> QB Drew Plitt completed 17-of-28 pass attempts for 233 yards and 2 TDs.
>> Yo'Heinz Tyler (5 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD) and Justin Hall (7 catches 78 yards) and Jayshon Jackson (3 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD) paced the Cardinals receiving corps.
>> BSU was just 3-of-12 on third down conversions but took advantage of big plays and Army turnovers.
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS (4-1, 1-0 MAC)
>> The Broncos have won four straight since a Week One loss to Michigan. Among the wins were triumps over Pitt (44-41) and San Jose State (23-3).
>> Western Michigan opened conference play last Saturday with a 24-17 victory over Buffalo. It was a defensive struggle through three quarters, with UB holding a 10-7 edge. However, the Broncos ran off 17 straight points before a late Bulls touchdown.
>> Kaleb Eleby and Skyy Moore teamed up for two TDs on passes of 12 and 64 yards. Eleby, a sophomore, completed 21-of-33 passes for 279 yards with two TDs. Moore caught 11 balls for 163 yards and two TDs.
>> In addition to the 279 passing yards, WMU amassed another 178 rushing yards. La'Darius Jefferson paced the Broncos with 23 carries for 96 yards and a TD. Sean Tyler followed with 14 carries for 80 yards.
>> The Broncos rank sixth (MAC) in scoring (26.6 ppg) and third in scoing defense (21.6 ppg).
>> Western Michigan ranks second (MAC) in passing offense (240.2 ypg) and sixth in rushing offense (167.4 ypg).
>> The Broncos are just 3-of-7 on field goal attempts (12th MAC).