Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, October 16
Rynearson Stadium
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Ball State
BSU Comes to Town for Band Day/Fall Fest Saturday, Oct. 16
10/11/2021 3:18:00 PM | Football
Game 7 • Oct. 16, 2021 • 2 p.m. ET • Ypsilanti, Mich. • Rynearson Stadium (30,200)
| Football vs. Ball State | |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 16 | 2 p.m. ET |
| Venue | Ypsilanti, Mich. | Rynearson Stadium |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes | Media Guide | Press Conference Video |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) | TuneIn Radio | The Varsity Network App | Eastern Insider Podcast |
| @EMUFB | @EMUAthletics | |
| Attendance Info | COVID-19 Policies. |
Eastern (4-2, 1-1 MAC) enters following a thrilling, defense-dominant performance against the RedHawks, Oct. 9. Ball State (3-3, 1-1 MAC) comes into the game after consecutive wins of its own. The Cardinals flew past Western Michigan, 45-20, in their most recent game, Oct. 9.
The contest will be televised by ESPN+ with Michael Reghi providing the play-by-play and Je'Rod Cherry serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network app will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick calling the action on the field.
A WIN WOULD: A victory Saturday would push EMU's record to 5-2 for the first time since the 2016 season and just the third time since the 1995 season. Additionally, a win over BSU would give Eastern its first win over a defending MAC Champion since it took down Bowling Green on the road, 28-25, Oct. 1, 2016.
CONTINUING TO FLUSH IT: For the past five seasons, Eastern Michigan's motto has been to go 1-0 each week while "flushing" the previous outcome. The short-term memory has proven beneficial for the program, with 34 of the last 62 (55%) contests decided by seven points-or-less.
Of those contests, eight have been decided in overtime with 19 coming down to the final play.
STRAIGHT FROM THE BEAR: The EMU Office of Athletic Media Relations is no stranger to noting EMU's close-game tendencies, but ESPN's Chris Fallica, known as "The Bear" on the network's flagship pregame show, College Gameday, took to Twitter to discuss it as well.
According to Fallica, 31 of EMU's last 35 MAC games and 44 of its last 54 games overall have either been a win or a one-possession loss. That trend continued with EMU's 13-12 victory over Miami, Oct. 9.
HOLD ON TO YOUR RED POP: If recent history teaches us anything, no lead is ever safe when Eastern Michigan and Ball State play. Since 2015, four of the six meetings have featured wild comebacks.
BEST SINCE 2016: EMU is off to a 4-2 start for the first time since 2016. EMU has won four of its first six games two times under eighth-year Head Coach Chris Creighton. Prior to Creighton's arrival, the Green and White had not accomplished the feat since the 1995 season.
BACK TO THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION: EMU's defense held Miami without a touchdown in the team's 13-12 win over the RedHawks, Oct. 9. The last time Eastern's defense kept an opponent out of the end zone was during the 2008 campaign, when the Eagles routed Indiana State, 52-0, Aug. 28.
The contest was the first in which the Eagles held a MAC opponent without a touchdown since Oct. 27, 2007, when it defeated Western Michigan, 19-2.
UNDER 14: EMU held Miami to just 12 points, Oct. 9. The last time the Eagles allowed under 14 points came against Akron, Nov. 10, 2018, in a 27-7 victory. Additionally, the last time EMU scored fewer than 14 points and won came during the 1998 season, when it bested Toledo, 10-7, Nov. 21.
UNDER PRESSURE: EMU's defense recorded 17 quarterback hurries in the one-point triumph over Miami, Oct. 9. The 17 pressures are tied for the second-most in a game during the modern statistical era (since 1999). It also marks just the ninth double figure game for EMU since the stat began being tracked. Furthermore, the total exceeded the cumulative tally for seven years during that span (2020 - 7; 2008 - 10; 2006 - 14; 2004 - 14; 2003 - 15; 2002 - 2; 2001 - 16).
RUSH INTO THE RECORD BOOK: Senior defensive end Turan Rush had a career-best game in terms of pressure against Miami, Oct. 9. Rush accounted for a career-high eight quarterback hurries. In addition to the impressive single-game stat, his effort also catapulted him into the EMU record book. With 21 career QB hurries as of Oct. 9, Rush now sits at fourth all-time in the category (recorded since 1998). Coming into the contest against Miami, he was not in the top-10. Rush sits just 12 quarterback hurries behind the program's all-time leader, Maxx Crosby, who finished with 33.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TAKEAWAYS: EMU has forced eight turnovers in 2021, and has scored points off of each (5 touchdowns, 3 field goals). That trend continued versus Miami (3 points off a recovered fumble). EMU has scored 44 points off those turnovers, once as a direct result of the play (98-yard interception-for-touchdown at Wisconsin), and seven times in its subsequent offensive possession.
RECOVERING FUMBLES: Eastern Michigan has been one of the best teams in the nation when it comes to recovering fumbles in 2021. The Eagles have picked up six loose balls this season, which ranks second in the MAC and 15th nationally. EMU forced and recovered one fumble against Miami, Oct. 9.
PLAYING DISCIPLINED: EMU has been one of the most disciplined teams in the country thus far in
2021. The Eagles rank third in the nation in terms of fewest penalties per game (3.8). Additionally, the team ranks seventh nationally in both fewest total penalties (23) and second in fewest penalty yards per game (31.8). EMU ranks fifth nationally in total penalty yards (191).
SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS: EMU currently ranks inside the nation's top-25. As a unit, the EMU kick off unit allowed just 15.2 yards of return this season, which is the 12th-best total of any team in the nation. As a punting unit, EMU's 43.7 net yards per punt ranks 11th nationally.
FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME: With its win over Miami, Oct. 9, Eastern Michigan is now 3-0 at home in 2021. The Eagles have not started 3-0 at home since the 2011 season. The Eagles finished that season 5-0 inside Rynearson Stadium.
HOMECOMING SKID SNAPPED: EMU capped the University's 100th Homecoming celebrations with an impressive, 13-12, win over Miami, Oct. 9. EMU snapped its five-game Homecoming losing skid with its victory over the RedHawks and is now 46-45-2 all-time on Homecoming.
Overall, the last time EMU won by one point came in a 20-19 victory over Purdue, Sept. 8, 2018.
LONG TIME COMING: With its victory over Miami, Oct. 9, EMU secured just its sixth win all-time against the RedHawks. Additionally, the triumph was the first for Eastern Michigan over Miami inside Rynearson Stadium since it came out on top in the 1989 matchup between the two schools, 20-7, Nov. 4.
SCORES IN LOW PLACES: The 25 total points scored between EMU and Miami (13-12, Oct. 9) were the least since EMU and Old Dominion combined to score 20, in a 17-3 decision that favored the Monarchs on a rainy night in Norfolk, Va., Sept. 13, 2014.
THIRD DOWN STOPPERS: EMU's defense has been impressive on third down this season, allowing conversions on just 39 percent (31-of-80) of opponent's attempts. That trend continued against Miami, Oct. 9, which finished just 5-of-16 in its third down attempts.
EMU has been equally as good on fourth down, holding opponents to just 59 percent conversion (10-of-17) a significant drop from last season, when opponents converted 87 percent (13-of-15) fourth down tries.
BIG-TIME SHINE: Freshman defensive back Kempton Shine put forth his strongest performance of the season against Miami, Oct. 9. The Chicago, Ill. native led all Eagles with eight stops, his best effort of the season. Shine has had to battle back from injuries dating back to the spring of 2021, when an automobile accident sidelined him for the vast majority of spring ball, summer workouts, and even the beginning of camp.
CONTROLLED THE CLOCK: EMU was effective controlling the clock against Miami, Oct. 9. The Eagles maintained possession for 34:08, nearly 10 minutes better than Miami's 25:52. Controlling the clock is a welcomed trend for EMU, who currently falls short of its opponents in that category through six games (29:20 to 30:31).
KEY FIRST THREE: The Eagles' defense denied the RedHawks from finding the end zone on their first three drives, all of which went into EMU territory, holding Miami to just six points on those drives. EMU has held its opponents without TDs on the first three drives of a game three times this season (Saint Francis - Sept. 3, UMass - Sept. 18).
HEY, HEY, JOSE!: Sophomore defensive end Jose Ramirez continues to build on his impressive resume in 2021. The defensive tackle recorded his second forced fumble of the season, and third of his career, against Miami, Oct. 9. He added a season-best six tackles, one sack, and a career-best five quarterback hurries in the contest.
LOAD THE CANNON: Senior tight end Bryson Cannon tallied his second receiving touchdown of the season and his sixth receiving touchdown donning the Green and White, against Miami, Oct. 9. The game marked the first time Cannon has caught a touchdown pass in consecutive games since he did so in a two-game stretch last season at Ball State (Nov. 11, 2020) and versus Toledo (Nov. 18, 2020).
HIGH-FLYING OFFENSE: Eastern Michigan's offense is the second-best scoring unit in the Mid-American Conference. Averaging a league-leading 29.3 points per game, EMU has put up 176 total points on 23 touchdowns, five field goals, and 23 extra points. EMU has scored one less touchdown than the best team in the conference (Buffalo – 24). In total, 12 different Eagles have found the pay dirt in 2021, including five players who have scored multiple touchdowns. Sophomore Samson Evans leads all Eagles with six touchdowns, while freshman Darius Boone Jr. and senior Jawon Hamilton each have three. Evans is fifth among all players in the MAC with 36 points in 2021.
BRYANT'S TOP-50 RANKINGS: Senior quarterback Ben Bryant ranks 43rd nationally and fourth in the MAC with 12.96 yards per pass average in 2021. Additionally, he ranks in the top-40 nationally in completion percentage. Bryant's 66.2 percent clip ranks second in the MAC and 32nd nationally. His current completion percentage would rank third-best for any Eastern player since the turn of the century. Only Mike Glass (66.3%) in 2019 and Andy Schmitt (72.8%) in 2007 have recorded seasons with a better completion percentage since 2000.
ALL-TIME VS. BALL STATE: The Eagles and Cardinals have met 62 times in their respective histories, with BSU leading the all-time series, 36-24-2. The two schools first met in 1936, and have faced off annually since 1973. EMU has won three of the last five meetings. Last season, it was Ball State that came out on top, earning a 38-31 win in Muncie, Nov. 11.
RECAPPING LAST YEAR'S MEETING: Caleb Huntley had a career-high 204 yards rushing and three touchdowns, including a one-yard score with six seconds to play, and Ball State rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat Eastern Michigan, 38-31, at Scheumann Stadium, Nov 11, 2020.
Quarterback Preston Hutchinson's third touchdown run for the Eagles tied it a 31-all with 4:12 to play but Ball State answered with an 11-play, 79-yard drive capped when Huntley scored on an off-tackle run.
Drew Plitt finished 22-of-31 passing for 232 yards and one touchdown with one interception for the Cardinals. Justin Hall had seven receptions for 55 yards, extending the longest active streak in FBS with a catch in his 38th consecutive game.
Hutchinson completed 17-of-29 passes for 250 yards and a score and added 17 carries for 103 yards Eastern Michigan. The junior went into the game with career totals of minus-23 yards rushing and three rushing TDs.
The Eagles led 21-7 midway through the second quarter and Chad Ryland's career-long tying 52-yard field goal with 9:39 left in the third quarter made it 24-13. Huntley scored on a 13-yard run and Plitt's pass to Yo'Heinz Tyler for the two-point conversion trimmed Ball State's deficit to three points about five minutes later.
LAST TIME AT THE FACTORY: Drew Plitt threw two touchdown passes, ran for two more scores and rallied BSU in the second half to beat EMU, 29-23, at Rynearson Stadium, Oct 12, 2019.
The Cardinals trailed by three at halftime and fell behind 23-14 late in the third quarter. Plitt rallied his team, rolling right to unleash a 46-yard scoring strike to Justin Hall to close to 23-21. He then made good following an EMU interception with an 11-play, 61-yard drive capped by a 1-yard keeper for another Ball State touchdown. His two-point conversion pass to Riley Miller gave the Cardinals a 29-23 edge with 11:36 to play.
EMU was threatening to score again with eight seconds left when Jordan Williams sacked Mike Glass III nine yards out, forcing a fumble which was recovered by Ball State's Amechi Uzodinma II to preserve the Cardinals' win.
Glass threw for 283 yards and a touchdown and ran for two more scores for the Eagles. He was intercepted three times.
EASTERN ROOTS IN MUNCIE: Two Eastern Athletics staff members have direct roots to Muncie. Eastern Michigan head volleyball coach Darcy Dorton is originally from the Delaware County city, while Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee completed his undergraduate degree at Ball State (1997), and also served as a graduate assistant in its ticket office from 1997-99.
On the flip side, BSU Associate Director of Athletic Communications Brad Caudill holds his undergraduate degree from EMU and worked for the legendary Jim Streeter in the SID Office.
WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: A common goal in Head Coach Chris Creighton's program, Eastern has won or tied (25 wins, 4 ties) the turnover battle in 29 of its last 31 victories. Eastern took the ball away once against Miami, Oct. 9, but failed to win the turnover battle as it also surrendered the ball once.
FUN TO RUN: Eastern Michigan has placed an emphasis on running the rock early in the 2021 season. Through six games, 35 percent (751-of-2141) of the team's total yardage has come via the turf, while 64 percent (14-of-22) of the team's offensive touchdowns have been via the rush. The percent of yards via the rush is the second-most of any team in the Chris Creighton era (2014-pres.), while the 64 percentage number is the highest for the team under Creighton.
ANOTHER LONG ONE: Junior kicker Chad Ryland's 47-yard field goal against Miami, Oct. 9, is tied for his longest of the year (47- at NIU, Oct. 2), and sixth-longest of his EMU career. Ryland is 5-for-8 on the 2021 season.
ON THE HORIZON: EMU returns to the road for another crossover game, this time with MAC East-foe Bowling Green State University, Oct. 23.
The contest will be televised by ESPN+ with Michael Reghi providing the play-by-play and Je'Rod Cherry serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network app will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick calling the action on the field.
A WIN WOULD: A victory Saturday would push EMU's record to 5-2 for the first time since the 2016 season and just the third time since the 1995 season. Additionally, a win over BSU would give Eastern its first win over a defending MAC Champion since it took down Bowling Green on the road, 28-25, Oct. 1, 2016.
CONTINUING TO FLUSH IT: For the past five seasons, Eastern Michigan's motto has been to go 1-0 each week while "flushing" the previous outcome. The short-term memory has proven beneficial for the program, with 34 of the last 62 (55%) contests decided by seven points-or-less.
Of those contests, eight have been decided in overtime with 19 coming down to the final play.
STRAIGHT FROM THE BEAR: The EMU Office of Athletic Media Relations is no stranger to noting EMU's close-game tendencies, but ESPN's Chris Fallica, known as "The Bear" on the network's flagship pregame show, College Gameday, took to Twitter to discuss it as well.
According to Fallica, 31 of EMU's last 35 MAC games and 44 of its last 54 games overall have either been a win or a one-possession loss. That trend continued with EMU's 13-12 victory over Miami, Oct. 9.
HOLD ON TO YOUR RED POP: If recent history teaches us anything, no lead is ever safe when Eastern Michigan and Ball State play. Since 2015, four of the six meetings have featured wild comebacks.
BEST SINCE 2016: EMU is off to a 4-2 start for the first time since 2016. EMU has won four of its first six games two times under eighth-year Head Coach Chris Creighton. Prior to Creighton's arrival, the Green and White had not accomplished the feat since the 1995 season.
BACK TO THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION: EMU's defense held Miami without a touchdown in the team's 13-12 win over the RedHawks, Oct. 9. The last time Eastern's defense kept an opponent out of the end zone was during the 2008 campaign, when the Eagles routed Indiana State, 52-0, Aug. 28.
The contest was the first in which the Eagles held a MAC opponent without a touchdown since Oct. 27, 2007, when it defeated Western Michigan, 19-2.
UNDER 14: EMU held Miami to just 12 points, Oct. 9. The last time the Eagles allowed under 14 points came against Akron, Nov. 10, 2018, in a 27-7 victory. Additionally, the last time EMU scored fewer than 14 points and won came during the 1998 season, when it bested Toledo, 10-7, Nov. 21.
UNDER PRESSURE: EMU's defense recorded 17 quarterback hurries in the one-point triumph over Miami, Oct. 9. The 17 pressures are tied for the second-most in a game during the modern statistical era (since 1999). It also marks just the ninth double figure game for EMU since the stat began being tracked. Furthermore, the total exceeded the cumulative tally for seven years during that span (2020 - 7; 2008 - 10; 2006 - 14; 2004 - 14; 2003 - 15; 2002 - 2; 2001 - 16).
RUSH INTO THE RECORD BOOK: Senior defensive end Turan Rush had a career-best game in terms of pressure against Miami, Oct. 9. Rush accounted for a career-high eight quarterback hurries. In addition to the impressive single-game stat, his effort also catapulted him into the EMU record book. With 21 career QB hurries as of Oct. 9, Rush now sits at fourth all-time in the category (recorded since 1998). Coming into the contest against Miami, he was not in the top-10. Rush sits just 12 quarterback hurries behind the program's all-time leader, Maxx Crosby, who finished with 33.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TAKEAWAYS: EMU has forced eight turnovers in 2021, and has scored points off of each (5 touchdowns, 3 field goals). That trend continued versus Miami (3 points off a recovered fumble). EMU has scored 44 points off those turnovers, once as a direct result of the play (98-yard interception-for-touchdown at Wisconsin), and seven times in its subsequent offensive possession.
RECOVERING FUMBLES: Eastern Michigan has been one of the best teams in the nation when it comes to recovering fumbles in 2021. The Eagles have picked up six loose balls this season, which ranks second in the MAC and 15th nationally. EMU forced and recovered one fumble against Miami, Oct. 9.
PLAYING DISCIPLINED: EMU has been one of the most disciplined teams in the country thus far in
2021. The Eagles rank third in the nation in terms of fewest penalties per game (3.8). Additionally, the team ranks seventh nationally in both fewest total penalties (23) and second in fewest penalty yards per game (31.8). EMU ranks fifth nationally in total penalty yards (191).
SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS: EMU currently ranks inside the nation's top-25. As a unit, the EMU kick off unit allowed just 15.2 yards of return this season, which is the 12th-best total of any team in the nation. As a punting unit, EMU's 43.7 net yards per punt ranks 11th nationally.
FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME: With its win over Miami, Oct. 9, Eastern Michigan is now 3-0 at home in 2021. The Eagles have not started 3-0 at home since the 2011 season. The Eagles finished that season 5-0 inside Rynearson Stadium.
HOMECOMING SKID SNAPPED: EMU capped the University's 100th Homecoming celebrations with an impressive, 13-12, win over Miami, Oct. 9. EMU snapped its five-game Homecoming losing skid with its victory over the RedHawks and is now 46-45-2 all-time on Homecoming.
Overall, the last time EMU won by one point came in a 20-19 victory over Purdue, Sept. 8, 2018.
LONG TIME COMING: With its victory over Miami, Oct. 9, EMU secured just its sixth win all-time against the RedHawks. Additionally, the triumph was the first for Eastern Michigan over Miami inside Rynearson Stadium since it came out on top in the 1989 matchup between the two schools, 20-7, Nov. 4.
SCORES IN LOW PLACES: The 25 total points scored between EMU and Miami (13-12, Oct. 9) were the least since EMU and Old Dominion combined to score 20, in a 17-3 decision that favored the Monarchs on a rainy night in Norfolk, Va., Sept. 13, 2014.
THIRD DOWN STOPPERS: EMU's defense has been impressive on third down this season, allowing conversions on just 39 percent (31-of-80) of opponent's attempts. That trend continued against Miami, Oct. 9, which finished just 5-of-16 in its third down attempts.
EMU has been equally as good on fourth down, holding opponents to just 59 percent conversion (10-of-17) a significant drop from last season, when opponents converted 87 percent (13-of-15) fourth down tries.
BIG-TIME SHINE: Freshman defensive back Kempton Shine put forth his strongest performance of the season against Miami, Oct. 9. The Chicago, Ill. native led all Eagles with eight stops, his best effort of the season. Shine has had to battle back from injuries dating back to the spring of 2021, when an automobile accident sidelined him for the vast majority of spring ball, summer workouts, and even the beginning of camp.
CONTROLLED THE CLOCK: EMU was effective controlling the clock against Miami, Oct. 9. The Eagles maintained possession for 34:08, nearly 10 minutes better than Miami's 25:52. Controlling the clock is a welcomed trend for EMU, who currently falls short of its opponents in that category through six games (29:20 to 30:31).
KEY FIRST THREE: The Eagles' defense denied the RedHawks from finding the end zone on their first three drives, all of which went into EMU territory, holding Miami to just six points on those drives. EMU has held its opponents without TDs on the first three drives of a game three times this season (Saint Francis - Sept. 3, UMass - Sept. 18).
HEY, HEY, JOSE!: Sophomore defensive end Jose Ramirez continues to build on his impressive resume in 2021. The defensive tackle recorded his second forced fumble of the season, and third of his career, against Miami, Oct. 9. He added a season-best six tackles, one sack, and a career-best five quarterback hurries in the contest.
LOAD THE CANNON: Senior tight end Bryson Cannon tallied his second receiving touchdown of the season and his sixth receiving touchdown donning the Green and White, against Miami, Oct. 9. The game marked the first time Cannon has caught a touchdown pass in consecutive games since he did so in a two-game stretch last season at Ball State (Nov. 11, 2020) and versus Toledo (Nov. 18, 2020).
HIGH-FLYING OFFENSE: Eastern Michigan's offense is the second-best scoring unit in the Mid-American Conference. Averaging a league-leading 29.3 points per game, EMU has put up 176 total points on 23 touchdowns, five field goals, and 23 extra points. EMU has scored one less touchdown than the best team in the conference (Buffalo – 24). In total, 12 different Eagles have found the pay dirt in 2021, including five players who have scored multiple touchdowns. Sophomore Samson Evans leads all Eagles with six touchdowns, while freshman Darius Boone Jr. and senior Jawon Hamilton each have three. Evans is fifth among all players in the MAC with 36 points in 2021.
BRYANT'S TOP-50 RANKINGS: Senior quarterback Ben Bryant ranks 43rd nationally and fourth in the MAC with 12.96 yards per pass average in 2021. Additionally, he ranks in the top-40 nationally in completion percentage. Bryant's 66.2 percent clip ranks second in the MAC and 32nd nationally. His current completion percentage would rank third-best for any Eastern player since the turn of the century. Only Mike Glass (66.3%) in 2019 and Andy Schmitt (72.8%) in 2007 have recorded seasons with a better completion percentage since 2000.
ALL-TIME VS. BALL STATE: The Eagles and Cardinals have met 62 times in their respective histories, with BSU leading the all-time series, 36-24-2. The two schools first met in 1936, and have faced off annually since 1973. EMU has won three of the last five meetings. Last season, it was Ball State that came out on top, earning a 38-31 win in Muncie, Nov. 11.
RECAPPING LAST YEAR'S MEETING: Caleb Huntley had a career-high 204 yards rushing and three touchdowns, including a one-yard score with six seconds to play, and Ball State rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat Eastern Michigan, 38-31, at Scheumann Stadium, Nov 11, 2020.
Quarterback Preston Hutchinson's third touchdown run for the Eagles tied it a 31-all with 4:12 to play but Ball State answered with an 11-play, 79-yard drive capped when Huntley scored on an off-tackle run.
Drew Plitt finished 22-of-31 passing for 232 yards and one touchdown with one interception for the Cardinals. Justin Hall had seven receptions for 55 yards, extending the longest active streak in FBS with a catch in his 38th consecutive game.
Hutchinson completed 17-of-29 passes for 250 yards and a score and added 17 carries for 103 yards Eastern Michigan. The junior went into the game with career totals of minus-23 yards rushing and three rushing TDs.
The Eagles led 21-7 midway through the second quarter and Chad Ryland's career-long tying 52-yard field goal with 9:39 left in the third quarter made it 24-13. Huntley scored on a 13-yard run and Plitt's pass to Yo'Heinz Tyler for the two-point conversion trimmed Ball State's deficit to three points about five minutes later.
LAST TIME AT THE FACTORY: Drew Plitt threw two touchdown passes, ran for two more scores and rallied BSU in the second half to beat EMU, 29-23, at Rynearson Stadium, Oct 12, 2019.
The Cardinals trailed by three at halftime and fell behind 23-14 late in the third quarter. Plitt rallied his team, rolling right to unleash a 46-yard scoring strike to Justin Hall to close to 23-21. He then made good following an EMU interception with an 11-play, 61-yard drive capped by a 1-yard keeper for another Ball State touchdown. His two-point conversion pass to Riley Miller gave the Cardinals a 29-23 edge with 11:36 to play.
EMU was threatening to score again with eight seconds left when Jordan Williams sacked Mike Glass III nine yards out, forcing a fumble which was recovered by Ball State's Amechi Uzodinma II to preserve the Cardinals' win.
Glass threw for 283 yards and a touchdown and ran for two more scores for the Eagles. He was intercepted three times.
EASTERN ROOTS IN MUNCIE: Two Eastern Athletics staff members have direct roots to Muncie. Eastern Michigan head volleyball coach Darcy Dorton is originally from the Delaware County city, while Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee completed his undergraduate degree at Ball State (1997), and also served as a graduate assistant in its ticket office from 1997-99.
On the flip side, BSU Associate Director of Athletic Communications Brad Caudill holds his undergraduate degree from EMU and worked for the legendary Jim Streeter in the SID Office.
WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: A common goal in Head Coach Chris Creighton's program, Eastern has won or tied (25 wins, 4 ties) the turnover battle in 29 of its last 31 victories. Eastern took the ball away once against Miami, Oct. 9, but failed to win the turnover battle as it also surrendered the ball once.
FUN TO RUN: Eastern Michigan has placed an emphasis on running the rock early in the 2021 season. Through six games, 35 percent (751-of-2141) of the team's total yardage has come via the turf, while 64 percent (14-of-22) of the team's offensive touchdowns have been via the rush. The percent of yards via the rush is the second-most of any team in the Chris Creighton era (2014-pres.), while the 64 percentage number is the highest for the team under Creighton.
ANOTHER LONG ONE: Junior kicker Chad Ryland's 47-yard field goal against Miami, Oct. 9, is tied for his longest of the year (47- at NIU, Oct. 2), and sixth-longest of his EMU career. Ryland is 5-for-8 on the 2021 season.
ON THE HORIZON: EMU returns to the road for another crossover game, this time with MAC East-foe Bowling Green State University, Oct. 23.
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