EMU jumped out . . .
at
Eastern Michigan (3-2, 0-1 MAC)
Saturday, Oct. 12 -- 2 p.m. ET
Rynearson Stadium -- Ypsilanti, MI
ESPN+
Series: Ball State leads 34-24-2
ABOUT BALL STATE
-- Facing a tough Northern Illinois defense last week, the Cardinals managed just three first half points while surrendering 17.
Two Ball State touchdowns in 44 seconds kicked off a 24-point Cardinal second half run, while the defense limited NIU to one field goal after intermission.
-- Northern Illinois actually outgained the visitors 388-269, but BSU was plus-one in turnover margin and the Huskies committed 12 penalties for 111 yards.
-- Quarterback Drew Plitt, who ranks second (MAC) in passing (281.4 ypg), was just 4 of 14 for 34 yards against NIU. However, the Cardinals run game kept Ball State moving. Junior Caleb Hundley did much of the work, carrying 35 times for 157 yards (4.5 ypc) with two touchdowns. All together, Cardinal rushers produced 234 yards on 60 trips.
-- Senior safety Ray Wilborn notched 10 tackles (8 solo) to lead the defensive effort.
-- Senior Riley Miller had just one catch (15 yards) against Northern Illinois. However, he leads the Cardinals with 321 yards on 23 receptions. Antwan Davis has a team-high three receiving touchdowns, while Justin Hall's 25 catches tops BSU receivers.
-- Ball State is third among MAC teams in scoring (32.4 ppg) and seventh in scoring defense (31.6 ppg).
-- Ball State owns a league-high seven interceptions. It is also first in pass defense efficiency.
-- While the 26-point setback to CMU last week was the largest
margin of defeat for an EMU team since the 2016 season, the Eagles have proven to respond to tough losses in a positive way. After falling to Missouri, 61-21, Sept. 10, 2016, EMU responded with a win, overpowering Charlotte, 37-19, one week later, Sept. 17, 2016. Additionally, the Eagles have rectified a loss with a victory in their next game on nine different occasions since the start of the 2016 season.
-- The Eagles are getting just 97.4 ypg from their ground game. That is 10th among MAC teams. The passing game, meanwhile, produces 265.6 ypg (4th MAC). EMU is also fourth in pass efficiency.
-- Senior quarterback Mike Glass is third among MAC passers (262.6 y pg) and fourth in pass efficiency. To date, he is completing 66.8 percent of his passes. He owns 13 TD passes and has thrown five picks.
-- Glass also leads the team in rushing, carrying 47 times for 112 yards with two scores. Shaq Van is just a yard back, with 111 yards on 33 rushes, while Willie Parker has made 29 trips for 105 yards and a score.
-- Dylan Drummond leads the team in receptions (22 for 202 yards), while Arthur Jackson is averaging 16.9 yards per catch (14/237. He and Quian Williams (17/229) each have three scores through five games.
-- Kicker Chad Ryland has a 52-yard boot among his five field goals (in six attempts) this year.
-- The Eagles are second -- one behind Miami -- in turnover margin (plus-3).