Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Ball State
Eagles and Cardinals Look to Help Kick Cancer
10/19/2009 12:31:29 PM | Football, E-Gridiron Group
Kick off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- For the second consecutive weekend the Eastern Michigan University football team is home for a Mid-American Conference contest, this time battling Ball State University. Kick off is scheduled for 1 p.m. Green is the typical EMU color, however, Saturday, Oct. 24, the color of choice will be pink as the Eagles try to “Kick and Dig Pink” to support Breast Cancer Awareness. The day starts with football versus the Cardinals before the volleyball team squares off against the University at Buffalo at 7 p.m.
EMU VS. BALL STATE: Eastern Michigan and Ball State are meeting for the 51st time and BSU holds a 28-20-2 edge in the series. The visiting Cardinals have a 13-12 edge in the games played in Ypsilanti and a 14-9-2 lead in the contests in Muncie, Ind. The Cardinals have won the last four games in a row. The previous EMU win prior to that four-game stretch was a 31-24 home victory, Oct. 9, 2004.
FIVE EAGLES EARN MID-SEASON AWARDS: Five Eastern Michigan University football players have earned mid-season awards for the Mid-American Conference in Phil Steele's College Football Preview magazine. Senior punter Zach Johnson (Springboro, Ohio-Springboro) was named to the first team while senior defensive lineman Brandon Downs (Springfield, Ohio-Kenton Ridge) was a second-team selection. Garnering third-team honors were senior defensive back Johnny Sears (Fresno, Calif.-Edison), senior offensive lineman Andy Fretz (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Central), and senior tight end Ben Thayer (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Hackett Catholic Central).
FAMILIAR FACE: When Ball State University invades Rynearson Stadium for Saturday's, Oct. 24, game there will be a familiar face to EMU fans on the Cardinals' sideline. BSU defensive coordinator Doug Graber, in his first year in Muncie, was an assistant football coach at EMU from 1972-75 under then-Head Coach Dan Boisture.
MAY DAY: EMU senior safety Chris May (Jupiter, Fla.-Dwyer) came up with his team-leading third interception of the 2009 season with a pick last weekend, Oct. 17, against Kent State. May has three interceptions for 49 yards in returns this year. He currently ranks tied for second in the Mid-American Conference and tied for 15th nationally in that category. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound May has played in 38 career games for the Eagles with 17 starts and he has five career picks for 55 yards in returns.
FOURTH FOR TWO: EMU junior place-kicker Joe Carithers (Dacula, Ga.-Dacula) turned in the third two field-goal effort of his 18-game career when he booted field goals of 25 and 30 yards last weekend, Oct. 17, against a visiting Kent State squad. Carithers' initial two three-point effort came on the road Oct. 11, 2008 at Army, when he connected on 38 and 43-yard attempts. He also had two field goals early this season, Oct. 3, at home against Temple when he connected on 38 and 43-yarders.
LEADING THE RUSH: EMU received two outstanding rushing efforts last weekend, Oct. 17, against Kent, but neither one was turned in by a running back. True freshman quarterback Alex Gillett (Green Springs, Ohio-Clyde) ran the ball 10 times and recorded a team-best 75 yards gained. Wide receiver DeAnthony White (Kennesaw, Ga.-Kell) was called upon to run the ball eight times from his wide receiver post and he responded with 73 yards rushing.
INJURY PLAGUED: The Eagles suffered a slew of key injuries that kept several regulars out of the lineup last weekend, Oct. 17, against Kent State. In addition to earlier season-ending injuries to starting quarterback Andy Schmitt (St. Johns, Mich.-St. Johns) and starting safety Ryan Downard (Lima, Ohio-Shawnee), starting center Eric Davis (Southgate, Mich.-Anderson), starting running back Dwayne Priest (Roanoke, Va.-Fleming-Fork Union Military) and backup running back Corey Welch (Akron, Ohio-Green) were all sidelined for the Kent State game with minor injuries or illness. Davis, Priest and Welch are listed as day-to-day.
