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FACTS & STATS: Site: Scheumann Stadium (22,500) -- Muncie, Indiana. Television: None. Home Record: EMU 0-3, Ball State 1-2. Away Record: EMU 0-3, Ball State 1-2. Neutral Record: EMU 0-0, Ball State 0-0. Conference Record: EMU 0-3, Ball State 1-1. Series Record: Ball State leads, 29-20-2.
GAME NOTES: Things haven't gone well for Eastern Michigan, as the Eagles have gone without a victory since 2008. Coach Ron English needs to turn the tide in Ypsilanti, and this week is as good a time as any, with the Eagles taking on the Ball State Cardinals at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie.
November 28th, 2008. That is the last time Eastern Michigan collected a victory and since then it has been one embarrassing loss after another, leading to 18 in a row. This season the Eagles have dropped their first six games, including a 52-6 setback to Vanderbilt last weekend. During this horrible slide the team has lost 11 straight conference games and head into this Mid-American Conference bout with an 0-4 league mark this season.
As for the coach Stan Parrish's bunch, they come into this game fresh off an embarrassing loss to Western Michigan (45-16). It was the fourth loss in six games for Ball State, which is just 1-2 at home this year. In league play, the Cardinals are just 1-1, but the victory came on the road against Central Michigan, 31-17.
The Cardinals have won the last five meetings against Eastern Michigan, and now own a comfortable 29-20-2 edge over the Eagles in the all-time series.
The lack of production is no longer surprising, but it is expected by Eastern Michigan's offense, which racked up just 209 yards against Vanderbilt.
Alex Gillett continued his poor play by completing just 10-of-20 passes for 99 yards. The quarterback was also sacked three times and intercepted once. Gillett's inconsistency has been a major concern for coach English, as his quarterback has thrown just seven touchdowns against five interceptions, and comes into this matchup with a mediocre 55.0 percent completion rating.
On top of the lack of production through the air, the Eagles have also been miserable running the football, averaging just 123.0 ypg. Dwayne Priest is pacing the team with 340 yards and five touchdowns, but he was not on the field this past weekend, as EMU finished with just 105 yards on 2.8 yards per attempt.
To make matters worse for coach English, his defense has been equally as problematic as the offensive unit, and the team's lack of success was evident against Vanderbilt.
Eastern Michigan had no answers for the Commodores' ground game, which pulverized the front line for EMU for 205 yards and four touchdowns. There are plenty of issues for this defense, but stopping the run is its biggest flaw. In just six games the Eagles have surrendered 22 rushing touchdowns and on average opponents are rushing for 250.0 ypg.
If defending the run is the number one problem, than the second issue for Eastern Michigan is its pass defense, which is allowing 226.2 ypg. The secondary's inability to stop the pass continued against Vandy, as the Eagles were torched for 353 yards and three scores.
The Cardinals have relied heavily on the run this season, as the team comes into this matchup averaging 189.8 ypg on a respectable 4.8 yards per attempt. Eric Williams is currently pacing the team with 363 yards and three touchdowns, while David Brown has racked up 249 yards on 8.0 yards per carry.
Ball State continued to have success on the ground this past weekend against Western Michigan, but despite the tremendous rushing attack, the Cardinals still fell by a large margin. MiQuale Lewis led the way in the loss with 64 yards, while Williams contributed 54 yards and one touchdown.
The passing attack is a completely different story however, as Kelly Page and Keith Wenning both struggled in the loss. Wenning was terrible against WMU, completing just one of his eight passes, while also tossing two interceptions. As for Page, he finished with 94 yards and one touchdown. Wenning and Page have been inconsistent throughout the season, combining for five touchdowns and six interceptions.
What has hampered coach Parrish's team this season has been the lack of production defensively, as the team is allowing 28.0 ppg. The biggest issue for this unit has come against the pass, as opponents are torching the secondary for 243.3 ypg.
In the loss to the Broncos this past weekend, the Cardinals surrendered 271 passing yards, but only one touchdown through the air. However, Western Michigan made up for its lack of scoring through the air, which a tremendous effort on the ground, churning out 209 yards and four scores via the run.
While the main concern for coach Parrish has been defending the pass, the defense's effort against the run has also been lackluster. Through six games the opposition is averaging 164.7 ypg on 4.5 yards per attempt.
There is little hope in sight for the Eagles, as the team has been miserable in all aspects of the game. While Ball State has not been overly impressive, the Cardinals are stronger than Eastern Michigan, and have dominated the all- time series over the past few seasons.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ball State 38, Eastern Michigan 17
Saturday, October 16th, 1:00 p.m. (et)
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