Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, September 19
Rynearson Stadium
3 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
1-2 , 0-1
17
vs
28
Ball State
2-1 , 1-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Ball State
0
14
0
14
28
Eastern Michigan
3
14
0
0
17
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Eagles' Early Lead Slips Away in MAC Opener
9/19/2015 6:27:00 PM | Football
Senior Darius Jackson set a career-high with a 63-yard touchdown run in the loss
Photo Gallery
Postgame Press Conference Video.
Game Highlights.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – An early lead slipped away from the Eastern Michigan University football team Saturday, Sept. 19, in a 28-17 home setback against Ball State University at Rynearson Stadium. The Eagles (1-2; 0-1 MAC) held a 17-0 lead before 28 unanswered points by the Cardinals (2-1; 1-0 MAC) stunned the home squad in the 2015 Mid-American Conference lidlifter. Junior Ikie Calderon (Neptune, N.J.-Neptune) led the Eagles with 17 tackles, 10 solo and seven assisted, while senior Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) added 136 yards of total offense and two touchdowns.
Despite several chances late, the Eagles could not match their 203 yard output of the first 22 minutes of the game, mustering just 103 yards in the final 38 minutes. In the end turnovers and missed opportunities halted the Eagles' drives, as EMU fell 28-17.
Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit) turned in a 19-of-39 for 196 yards performance in his second consecutive start. EMU's receiving corps was pace Dustin Creel (Industry, Pa.-Western Beaver) with 51 yards on five receptions. The Eagles' run game was led by Jackson and Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams). Jackson fueled the offense, totaling 97 yards on seven carries while Vann added six carries for 25 yards.
Defensively, Calderon led the Eagles with 17 total tackles while Derric Williams (Lake Orion, Mich.-Lake Orion) and Anthony Brown (Iowa City, Iowa-West) recorded sacks.
It seemed as though the Cardinals would get on the board first, driving down field on their first series of the game. After the Eagles punted on their opening series, Ball State's Darian Green rushed for 42 yards on the Cardinals' first play from scrimmage, giving his team a first down at the EMU 20 yard line. Two key stops by the Eastern Michigan defense kept the Cardinals from finding the end zone before a targeting penalty gave Ball State a new set of downs.
Continuing to apply the pressure on the Cardinals, the Eagles' redshirt sophomore Derric Williams broke through the line and sacked Ball State quarterback Jack Milas, resulting in a loss of 11 yards. Back-to-back defensive stands by the Eagles fueled by Williams' momentum shifting play left Ball State with a failed 36-yard field goal attempt.
Unable to carry the momentum into their next offensive series, the Eagles turned the ball over on fourth down after redshirt sophomore Roback's pass soared high of his intended target.
Using six consecutive run plays, the Cardinals collected two first downs before the Green and White defense buckled down to force a punt.
Faking out three Ball State defenders, it took two Cardinals to pull down Vann on a 13-yard carry. Running the hurry-up offense, Roback stepped up in the pocket and fired a pass to Creel for another EMU first down. After an 11-yard rush by Creel the Eagles' offense sputtered, ending the drive in a punt.
A soaring punt by redshirt sophomore Austin Barnes (Fairview Heights, Ill.-O'Fallon) allowed his teammates plenty of time to make it down field and apply pressure on the Ball State return man. With the Eagles closing in on him, Ball State's Corey Lacanaria was stripped by redshirt sophomore Tyrie Mack (Rocky Mount, N.C.-Hargrave Military Academy) in front of the Cardinals' sideline. Redshirt freshman Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East) scooped up the fumble, returning possession to the Eagles at the BSU 20-yard line with 2:28 left in the first quarter.
The Eagles turned the Cardinals' turnover into three points as senior Dylan Mulder (Saline, Mich.-Saline) split the uprights for a 36-yard field goal with 33 seconds remaining.
With a 3-0 lead, the Eagles extended their lead to 10 on their next drive. Taking over at midfield, Roback completed a 4-yard pass before finding senior Kris Strange (Pickerington, Ohio-Central) for a 27-yard gain. Wasting little time, the Eagles hurried to the line. Jackson took ar Roback handoff and broke through the middle and bulldozed his way into the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown which capped off a five play, 50-yard drive.
Another timely stop by the EMU defense kept the Cardinals from getting on the scoreboard. Facing fourth and five in the redzone, Ball State completed a pass over the middle where EMU junior DaQuan Pace (Detroit, Mich.-Cass Tech) met the receiver, stopping him just shy of the first down.
The Eagles continued to click offensively, taking over deep in their own territory. Jackson began the drive with a 6-yard run before Roback connected with Strange for a 7-yard gain. Jackson capped the drive, exploding for a career-best 63-yard run and his second touchdown of the game to put EMU ahead, 17-0.
Ball State responded with back-to-back touchdowns before the half to cut EMU's lead to 17-14 through two quarters of play.
A nearly 10-minute drive spanning the third and fourth quarters gave Ball State its first lead of the game. Relying on a balanced run game with timely completions, the Cardinals marched down field before James Gilbert punched it in from 5-yards out. Gilbert's rushing touchdown lifted the Cardinals to a 21-17 lead with 12:55 to play.
Following a three-and-out by the Eagles, Ball State continued to utilize its run game to take time off the clock. The Cardinals capped their drive with a rushing touchdown by Gilbert to move EMU's deficit to 11, 28-17. With just 8:14 showing on the game clock, time was becoming a factor for the Green and White.
On the ensuing drive, Roback completed passes to Jackson (20-yards) and freshman Eddie Daugherty (Mentor, Ohio-Mentor) (21-yards), driving the Eagles down to the BSU 17-yard line. Despite a pair of throws by Roback into the end zone, the Eagles came up empty. Electing to go for the field goal rather than the five yard gain for a first down, Head Coach Chris Creighton sent Mulder out for a field goal attempt. A near perfect kicker for the Eagles, Mulder's 34-yard try bounced off the goal post for his first miss of the season.
Saturday's contest featured Hall of Fame Day as well as Band Day. With several local high school bands in attendance for the game, the Eagles celebrated the induction of a star-studded Hall of Fame class. Joseph Codrington (Men's Track and Field), Tracy Deeter (Women's Soccer), George Harrison (Football and Baseball), Paul Scicluna (Women's Soccer Coach), L.J. Shelton (Football), Stephanie Smiley (Women's Basketball), and Barry Susterka (Men's Swimming and Diving) were the former Eagles inducted in the 2015 class.
The Eagles take an early break from MAC play next weekend when they return to 'The Factory' at Rynearson Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 26, for a battle with Army West Point. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Postgame Press Conference Video.
Game Highlights.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – An early lead slipped away from the Eastern Michigan University football team Saturday, Sept. 19, in a 28-17 home setback against Ball State University at Rynearson Stadium. The Eagles (1-2; 0-1 MAC) held a 17-0 lead before 28 unanswered points by the Cardinals (2-1; 1-0 MAC) stunned the home squad in the 2015 Mid-American Conference lidlifter. Junior Ikie Calderon (Neptune, N.J.-Neptune) led the Eagles with 17 tackles, 10 solo and seven assisted, while senior Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) added 136 yards of total offense and two touchdowns.
Despite several chances late, the Eagles could not match their 203 yard output of the first 22 minutes of the game, mustering just 103 yards in the final 38 minutes. In the end turnovers and missed opportunities halted the Eagles' drives, as EMU fell 28-17.
Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit) turned in a 19-of-39 for 196 yards performance in his second consecutive start. EMU's receiving corps was pace Dustin Creel (Industry, Pa.-Western Beaver) with 51 yards on five receptions. The Eagles' run game was led by Jackson and Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams). Jackson fueled the offense, totaling 97 yards on seven carries while Vann added six carries for 25 yards.
Defensively, Calderon led the Eagles with 17 total tackles while Derric Williams (Lake Orion, Mich.-Lake Orion) and Anthony Brown (Iowa City, Iowa-West) recorded sacks.
It seemed as though the Cardinals would get on the board first, driving down field on their first series of the game. After the Eagles punted on their opening series, Ball State's Darian Green rushed for 42 yards on the Cardinals' first play from scrimmage, giving his team a first down at the EMU 20 yard line. Two key stops by the Eastern Michigan defense kept the Cardinals from finding the end zone before a targeting penalty gave Ball State a new set of downs.
Continuing to apply the pressure on the Cardinals, the Eagles' redshirt sophomore Derric Williams broke through the line and sacked Ball State quarterback Jack Milas, resulting in a loss of 11 yards. Back-to-back defensive stands by the Eagles fueled by Williams' momentum shifting play left Ball State with a failed 36-yard field goal attempt.
Unable to carry the momentum into their next offensive series, the Eagles turned the ball over on fourth down after redshirt sophomore Roback's pass soared high of his intended target.
Using six consecutive run plays, the Cardinals collected two first downs before the Green and White defense buckled down to force a punt.
Faking out three Ball State defenders, it took two Cardinals to pull down Vann on a 13-yard carry. Running the hurry-up offense, Roback stepped up in the pocket and fired a pass to Creel for another EMU first down. After an 11-yard rush by Creel the Eagles' offense sputtered, ending the drive in a punt.
A soaring punt by redshirt sophomore Austin Barnes (Fairview Heights, Ill.-O'Fallon) allowed his teammates plenty of time to make it down field and apply pressure on the Ball State return man. With the Eagles closing in on him, Ball State's Corey Lacanaria was stripped by redshirt sophomore Tyrie Mack (Rocky Mount, N.C.-Hargrave Military Academy) in front of the Cardinals' sideline. Redshirt freshman Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East) scooped up the fumble, returning possession to the Eagles at the BSU 20-yard line with 2:28 left in the first quarter.
The Eagles turned the Cardinals' turnover into three points as senior Dylan Mulder (Saline, Mich.-Saline) split the uprights for a 36-yard field goal with 33 seconds remaining.
With a 3-0 lead, the Eagles extended their lead to 10 on their next drive. Taking over at midfield, Roback completed a 4-yard pass before finding senior Kris Strange (Pickerington, Ohio-Central) for a 27-yard gain. Wasting little time, the Eagles hurried to the line. Jackson took ar Roback handoff and broke through the middle and bulldozed his way into the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown which capped off a five play, 50-yard drive.
Another timely stop by the EMU defense kept the Cardinals from getting on the scoreboard. Facing fourth and five in the redzone, Ball State completed a pass over the middle where EMU junior DaQuan Pace (Detroit, Mich.-Cass Tech) met the receiver, stopping him just shy of the first down.
The Eagles continued to click offensively, taking over deep in their own territory. Jackson began the drive with a 6-yard run before Roback connected with Strange for a 7-yard gain. Jackson capped the drive, exploding for a career-best 63-yard run and his second touchdown of the game to put EMU ahead, 17-0.
Ball State responded with back-to-back touchdowns before the half to cut EMU's lead to 17-14 through two quarters of play.
A nearly 10-minute drive spanning the third and fourth quarters gave Ball State its first lead of the game. Relying on a balanced run game with timely completions, the Cardinals marched down field before James Gilbert punched it in from 5-yards out. Gilbert's rushing touchdown lifted the Cardinals to a 21-17 lead with 12:55 to play.
Following a three-and-out by the Eagles, Ball State continued to utilize its run game to take time off the clock. The Cardinals capped their drive with a rushing touchdown by Gilbert to move EMU's deficit to 11, 28-17. With just 8:14 showing on the game clock, time was becoming a factor for the Green and White.
On the ensuing drive, Roback completed passes to Jackson (20-yards) and freshman Eddie Daugherty (Mentor, Ohio-Mentor) (21-yards), driving the Eagles down to the BSU 17-yard line. Despite a pair of throws by Roback into the end zone, the Eagles came up empty. Electing to go for the field goal rather than the five yard gain for a first down, Head Coach Chris Creighton sent Mulder out for a field goal attempt. A near perfect kicker for the Eagles, Mulder's 34-yard try bounced off the goal post for his first miss of the season.
Saturday's contest featured Hall of Fame Day as well as Band Day. With several local high school bands in attendance for the game, the Eagles celebrated the induction of a star-studded Hall of Fame class. Joseph Codrington (Men's Track and Field), Tracy Deeter (Women's Soccer), George Harrison (Football and Baseball), Paul Scicluna (Women's Soccer Coach), L.J. Shelton (Football), Stephanie Smiley (Women's Basketball), and Barry Susterka (Men's Swimming and Diving) were the former Eagles inducted in the 2015 class.
The Eagles take an early break from MAC play next weekend when they return to 'The Factory' at Rynearson Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 26, for a battle with Army West Point. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Team Stats
BALL
EMU
Total Yards
472
319
Pass Yards
194
196
Rushing Yards
278
123
Penalty Yards
30
45
1st Downs
26
12
3rd Downs
8
6
4th Downs
3
0
TOP
37:21
22:39
1st Quarter
BALL 0, EMU 3
EMU - MULDER, Dylan 36 yd field goal 4 plays, 1 yards, TOP 1:49
2nd Quarter
BALL 0, EMU 10
EMU - JACKSON, Darius 19 yd run (MULDER, Dylan kick), 5 plays, 50 yards, TOP 1:23
BALL 0, EMU 17
EMU - JACKSON, Darius 63 yd run (MULDER, Dylan kick), 5 plays, 83 yards, TOP 2:00
BALL 7, EMU 17
BALL - NEAL, Riley 41 yd run (HAGEE, Morgan kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:01
BALL 14, EMU 17
BALL - WILLIAMS, Jorda 26 yd pass from NEAL, Riley (HAGEE, Morgan kick) 7 plays, 94 yards, TOP 2:18
4th Quarter
BALL 21, EMU 17
BALL - GILBERT, James 5 yd run (HAGEE, Morgan kick), 20 plays, 85 yards, TOP 9:49
BALL 28, EMU 17
BALL - GILBERT, James 1 yd run (HAGEE, Morgan kick), 8 plays, 66 yards, TOP 3:47
Game Leaders
CMP
19
TD
0
YDS
196
INT
2
Players Mentioned
P
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
PK
/ Football
DB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
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