THIRD QUARTER: Ball State opened the third quarter in the same manner it had played in the first two quarters: with senior quarterback Keith Wenning throwing deep passes.
Junior wide receiver Willie Snead caught a 51-yard pass along the right sideline to get the ball to Eastern Michigan University’s 20-yard line.
However, the Cardinals couldn’t score a touchdown from their field position and settled for a 35-yard field goal from junior kicker Scott Secor field goal.
On the ensuing drive, Eastern Michigan responded with a three-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a touchdown to wide receiver Dustin Creel. After the Eagles’ score and extra point, Ball State led 37-20.
Ball State kept the pressure on as Wenning connected on another deep pass with Jordan Williams for a 5-yard gain. The drive ended with a 10-yard touchdown from junior running back Jahwan Edwards.
The Ball State’s secondary came through to get a stop on Eastern Michigan as the Eagles were driving to the Cardinals’ 23-yard line. Freshman safety Martez Hester intercepted Eastern Michigan quarterback Tyler Benz and returned it for another 10 yards.
Off the turnover, Edwards finished Ball State’s 10-play, 81-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run.
SECOND QUARTER: Ball State’s offense slowed down for most of the second quarter.
After gaining 191 yards and scoring 27 points in the first quarter, the Cardinals were unable to get things going in a second quarter full of punts and turnovers.
Eastern Michigan scored on a six-play, 53-yard drive to get its second touchdown of the game. The Eagles and Cardinals combined for four punts and one turnover on downs in an offensively stagnant quarter.
With one minute remaining in the half, Ball State scored on a 27-yard reverse handoff to senior wide receiver Jamill Smith. The trick play capped off a six-play, 50-yard drive for the Cardinals.
Junior wide receiver Willie Snead made a pair of big catches and leads the team with four receptions on the day. Senior quarterback Keith Wenning has completed 10-of-18 for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
Ball State recaptured momentum going into halftime and looks to be in control, as the team stretched its lead to 21 points.
The defense has been stingy throughout the game, allowing just 4.84 yards per play and forcing a pair of turnovers.
Ball State will receive to open the second half.
FIRST QUARTER: Despite giving up a nine-play, 75-yard drive to open the game, Ball State’s defense bounced back, holding Eastern Michigan University to just 6 points in the first quarter.
Ball State sacked quarterback Tyler Benz twice in the quarter and forced a turnover as well.
The Eagles have gained just 103 yards to Ball State’s 191.
Junior running back Jahwan Edwards and sophomore running back Horactio Banks scored on runs of 36 and 43 yards, respectively. Ball State has accumulated 95 yards on the ground on just eight carries.
Senior quarterback Keith Wenning found sophomore wide receiver Jordan Williams in the end zone twice in the first quarter. Williams leads the team with three catches for 55 yards.
Senior wide receiver Jamill Smith added two for 20, and junior wide receiver Willie Snead added one for 21 yards.
Wenning completed six-of-seven in the quarter for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
Ball State wins at Eastern Michigan with score of 51-20
The Daily News
