Recap: Eastern Mich vs. Ball State

By Sports Network

Ypsilanti, MI (Sports Network) - MiQuale Lewis ran for a school-record 301 yards and a touchdown, propelling the Ball State Cardinals to a 29-27 win over the Eastern Michigan Eagles in a battle of Mid-American Conference bottom- feeders.

Lewis broke Earl Taylor's previous school record of 260 yards, set back in 1976, also against EMU. Cory Sykes also piled up 203 yards and three scores on the ground, marking the first time in program history the Cardinals (1-7, 1-3 MAC) have had multiple 200-yard rushers in the same game.

Dwayne Priest paced EMU (0-7, 0-4) with 84 rushing yards on 18 carries.

The Eagles punched it into the end zone on the game's opening drive, as Kyle McMahon connected with Ben Thayer for a three-yard touchdown pass.

Later in the first quarter, Sykes answered with a 51-yard touchdown run for Ball State, though the extra-point attempt was blocked and EMU maintained a one-point lead.

Eagles kicker Joe Carithers extended the lead to 10-6 with a 20-yard field goal at the 10:59 mark of the second quarter.

After a quick three-and-out, EMU got the ball back and scored in just two plays, as Corey Welch found the end zone on a 12-yard run. The scoring play was set up by a 47-yard completion from Alex Gillett to Tyrone Burke.

A 26-yard field goal by Carithers midway through the second quarter pushed the Eagles' lead to 20-6.

The Cardinals offense fired back on the ensuing possession, as Lewis broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run to trim the deficit to 20-13.

EMU pushed its lead back to 14 on DeAnthony White's 10-yard touchdown run at the 10:44 mark of the third quarter.

But Ball State answered with a 93-yard touchdown drive, capped by Sykes' six- yard scoring burst with 6:37 remaining in the third.

One minute later, the Cardinals made it a 27-22 game on a safety following Robert Eddins' blocked punt in the end zone.

Ball State grabbed a firm hold of the momentum when Sykes scored on a 37-yard touchdown run to give the Cardinals a 29-27 lead with 1:47 remaining in the third quarter.

With both ground games proving effective, the two teams combined for just 87 passing yards. Cardinals quarterback Tanner Justice completed 2-of-10 passes for one yard and also threw an interception.