Football Bested by Ball State in #MACtion Thriller, 38-31

Postgame Press Conference.

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MUNCIE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team fought back to erase a seven-point deficit with just over four minutes on the clock, but ultimately fell short, 38-31, in its Mid-American Conference matchup with Ball State University tonight, Nov. 11, at Scheumann Stadium.

Down eight, 31-24, with 5:02 remaining in the game, junior quarterback Preston Hutchinson (Mason, Ohio-Mason) engineered a three-play, 75-yard scoring drive which culminated with a one-yard touchdown run by the first-year signal caller. The best play of the series came from sophomore wide out Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio-Mason), who hauled in a career-best 71-yard reception on the second play of the 50-second set to put the Eagles in great position to score.

As it did all night, Ball State (1-1; 1-1 MAC) responded in the next possession. The Cardinals, who scored in four of their final five possessions in the game, were able to eat the clock and score the go-ahead touchdown with just six seconds left in the game, ending any chance of an EMU comeback.

Despite the loss, Eastern (0-2; 0-2 MAC) put together an incredible offensive performance, filled with both impressive team and individual stats. As a team, the Eagles racked up 477 yards of offense, its best single-game total since recording 509 in its 2019 regular season finale against Kent State, Nov. 29.

Individually, Hutchinson shined bright. He finished the night with 250 yards through the air (17-of-29) and one touchdown, while rushing for a team-best 104 yards on 17 attempts, and three scores. His 17 pass completions is the second-best mark of his career, while his rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns, are all career-bests. Additionally, he is the first EMU quarterback to run for better than 100 yards since Mike Glass III trotted for 125 against Toledo, Oct. 13, 2018. Knue's eight receptions and 121 yards were also career-bests for him. Senior tight end Bryson Cannon (Columbia, S.C.-Dutch Fork (Independence C.C.)) also had personal bests in receptions (5), yards (76), and long reception (37 yards). In the backfield, junior Samson Evans (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge (Iowa)) was impressive in his first game with EMU, rushing for 63 yards on 14 attempts.

Defensively, senior Terry Myrick (Austell, Ga.-Woodward Academy) led the way for the second straight week as he recorded another 10-tackle game for the Green and White. Elsewhere, freshman Alex Merritt (Cincinnati, Ohio-Moeller) recorded his first-career fumble recovery and sack.

The Eastern defense was strong right out of the gates, forcing a punt on the first drive of the game for the first time on the young season.

If the defense started hot, than the offense was burning, as Hutchinson took over and led a nearly-perfect opening drive for the Green and White. The best play of the series featured a 37-yard crossing-route completion to Cannon, the longest reception of his career and second of four passes that he corralled in the quarter. That set up Evans, who carried the ball 13 yards to the Ball State one-yard line. Evans was in the lineup for the first time this season after missing EMU's Week One game at Kent State, Nov. 4. From there, Hutchinson took matters into his own hands, scoring his second rushing touchdown of the season. Junior kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) added the extra point to give EMU a 7-0 lead with 8:59 on the clock.

Ball State answered quickly on its next possession, needing just 2:54 to score seven points of its own and tie the game, 7-7. Back on the field for its second possession, the Eastern offense continued moving like a freight train towards the Cardinals' end zone. Samson and Hutchinson combined for 20 total rushing yards over the first three plays of the drive before Knue and Cannon secured five and 15-yard receptions, respectfully. Three plays later, Hutchinson found former quarterback and current tight end Aaron Jackson (Detroit, Mich.-Cass Technical) for eight yards, his first-career reception. Moments later, Hutchinson found Cannon again, this time for a 10-yard, diving grab in the end zone. The extra point gave EMU a 14-7 advantage.

With the offensive highlight reel in full swing, the EMU defense stepped up with some big-time plays of its own during Ball State's next two possessions. After moving the ball into Eastern territory, it was Alvinoski LaFleur (Lake Charles, La.-LaGrange (Coffeyville C.C.)) that stalled the Ball State drive as he recorded his second interception in as many weeks. He returned it 54 yards, setting up the Eagles' offense inside BSU real estate. To the Cardinals' credit, they were able to get the ball back after turning EMU on downs. Ready again, the defense forced another turnover in Ball State's ensuing possession. This time, it was Merritt who was able to recover a fumble, giving Eastern the ball back at its own 29-yard line.

With the ball, and up seven, 14-7, Chris Creighton's offense fed off the momentum created by the defense. After a quick nine-yard hookup with Cannon to get the drive started, Hutchinson ran it on two of the next three plays, racking up 43 yards on those attempts alone. With the ball at the Cardinal 12-yard line, Hutchinson went back to work, picking up every inch by himself during the next two plays, both runs, to score his second rushing touchdown of the night, which put EMU up, 20-7. Ryland again hit the chip shot to give EMU a 14-point edge, 21-7, with 6:56 remaining in the opening half.

The Eastern defense remained stout in its next two stints on the field as it held Ball State to a pair of field goals on its final possessions before the halftime intermission, 21-13.

Although a large contingent of Eagles had impressive first-half performances, it was Hutchinson who stole the show. The first-year starter finished with a 9-for-13 passing mark, amassing 121 yards through the air. On the ground, Hutchinson kept it a team-leading eight times for 77 yards. The 77-yard first-half rushing performance is the best of any EMU player this season.

When it was all said-and-done, the Eagles took an eight-point, 21-13, lead into the break.

The MAC West Division rivals traded punts to begin the second half as both defenses appeared to sure up some insecurities. Eastern struck first, however, on its second possession. Although the Eagles were able to move the ball just 28 yards on six plays, it was enough to give Ryland a field goal attempt from 52 yards. With the snap and hold down, the Lebanon, Pa. native blasted it through the uprights, matching his career-long and extending EMU's lead to 11, 24-13. The kick was Ryland's fourth-career make from 50+ yards.

Undeterred by EMU's offensive success, Drew Plitt and the Ball State offense battled back in its next chance with the ball. The fourth-year starting quarterback led the Cardinals on a 13-play, 70 yard drive that resulted in a touchdown and brought BSU within five, 24-19, with 4:34 remaining in the third. BSU completed a successful two-point try to make it a 24-21 contest. Merritt continued his impressive defensive performance during the drive as he recorded his first-career sack during the series.

After another pair of unsuccessful drives between the two clubs, Ball State again found offensive momentum in the early portion of the fourth quarter. In contrast to its lengthy, 13-play touchdown drive just 10 minutes earlier, this touchdown drive took just three plays and 65 ticks off the clock. The extra point gave Ball State a seven-point edge, 31-24.

With their backs against the wall, it was Eastern's turn to make a big play, and that's exactly what it did. With the ball, Hutchinson threaded a beautiful 71-yard dart to Knue, which eventually led to an EMU score.

Despite a late surge of momentum, Ball State proved too strong, scoring once more to close the game, 38-31.

EMU is set to become the last team in the MAC to open its 2020 home slate when it hosts Toledo next Wednesday, Nov. 18, inside "The Factory," at Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network and WEMU 89.1 FM.

For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU football, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media, at @EMUFB.

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Team Stats

HUTCHINSON Preston

Players Mentioned

Bryson Cannon

Samson Evans

Mike Glass III

Preston Hutchinson

Aaron Jackson

Tanner Knue

Alvinoski LaFleur

Alex Merritt

Terry Myrick

Chad Ryland