Despite a 22-point loss Saturday, Eastern Michigan University coach Jeff Genyk had a gnawing frustration making him feel like his team let a win slip away against Ball State University.
His defense held the top-ranked scoring offense in the Mid-American Conference to one touchdown in the first half. His offense gained 376 yards against a Cardinals defense that allowed seven points the previous two games. Yet, No. 18 Ball State, fresh off a bye week, scored four touchdowns in the second half and pulled away to a 38-16 win that improved its record to 8-0.
Genyk thought the game was more competitive than the final score indicated.
"We did exactly what we intended to do, other than put some points on the board," he said. "You give me five plays, that game is a fourth-quarter game."
Genyk's opinion received no argument from Ball State's players and coaches. The Cardinals played much of the first 28 minutes within a field goal.
Senior center Dan Gerberry, Ball State's offensive captain, said there wasn't any rust after the team's 14-day layoff. The Cardinals had plenty of energy in the first half, especially playing host to their first game as a nationally ranked program in front of 20,948 people. It simply didn't execute to the level it was accustomed to during the past two years.
"We didn't play our best," Gerberry said. "We were fortunate to get a win."
Genyk said the first four possessions of the third quarter is where he felt the game got out of reach. Ball State opened the second half with two touchdowns and held Eastern Michigan scoreless on its first two possessions.
The Eagles drove to the Cardinals' 31-yard line on the second series before Ball State safety Alex Knipp intercepted quarterback Andy Schmitt.
"They actually had a formation we hadn't seen on film," Knipp said of the play. "We were kind of scrambling around at first, and then we got it figured out. I was in the middle of the field, and he kind of threw it right to me."
Ball State scored a touchdown seven plays later on a 6-yard pass from quarterback Nate Davis to receiver Briggs Orsbon that pushed its lead to 24-0. It was the second hookup between the duo, the first of which was a pass from Orsbon to Davis on a trick play that scored Ball State's only touchdown in the first half.
Davis completed 17-of-31 passes for 241 yards and two passing touchdowns. Running back MiQuale Lewis rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Eastern Michigan quarterback Andy Schmitt completed 28-of-49 for 309 yards.
Ball State coach Brady Hoke said he thought the game would serve as a measuring stick for him to see how well his program is playing as it enters the final portion of its season. After the game, he said the Cardinals' inability to play well in the first half is his biggest concern.
"You let people stick around, and you have a chance to get beat," Hoke said. "I like how we responded to [the first-half issues], but there's no question we've go to make things happen sooner a little bit offensively."
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