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FOOTBALL: NO. 4 OHIO STATE AVOIDS UPSET TO CLAIM FOURTH CONSECUTIVE BIG TEN TITLE

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By Keaton Maisano and Jack Emerson The Lantern

In a game in which they played out of sorts, the Buckeyes were able to make enough plays to overcome a second-half deficit and claim their fourth Big Ten Championship in a row. 

On the back of graduate running back Trey Sermon, No. 4 Ohio State offense was able to outscore Northwestern 16-0 in the second half. The Buckeyes would down No. 14 Northwestern 22-10 to secure a 6-0 record. 
In the opening half, Ohio State was held to 195 total yards and six points — its lowest totals in first halves all season.  
The lone bright spot in Ohio State’s offense was graduate running back Trey Sermon, who broke the Big Ten Championship and Ohio State records for rushing yards with 331. 

Sermon added Ohio State’s only touchdowns — including the go-ahead score in the third quarter.  
Junior quarterback Justin Fields came into the game with 20 touchdowns and only three turnovers. 
In the first half against Northwestern, Fields was unable to tally a 21st score, but the Georgia native would throw a red zone interception with 28 seconds left before intermission. 
Entering the game with a country-high pass completion of 78.1 percent, Fields completed only 9-of-20 passes in the first half against Northwestern. 
Fields would finish the game 12-of-27 for 114 yards to go along with two interceptions. 
Northwestern’s conference-leading defense created plenty of problems for Fields and the rest of the Buckeye offense. 
On the offensive side of the ball, Northwestern’s wildcat formation — which saw freshman running back Cam Porter taking the snaps — threw Ohio State’s defense off balance. The Wildcats finished with 105 yards on the ground.
Northwestern graduate quarterback Peyton Ramsey was a constant threat through the air and on the ground. Ramsey threw for 224 yards while adding X yards on the ground. 
Despite playing a mistake free first half, Ramsey struggled in the later stages of the game with three second half turnovers. Graduate linebacker Justin Hilliard played a key role in Ramsey’s second half regression — intercepting a red zone attempt and recovering a Ramsey fumble. 

Hilliard added nine tackles with two for a loss. 
With the win and title of Big Ten Champion, Ohio State boosted its College Football Playoff resume.
Ball State's Bryce Cosby and Buffalo's Jaret Patterson
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For the second consecutive week, Ryland took home the MAC West Division Player of the Week honor

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CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) - Eastern Michigan University junior kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) collected Mid-American Conference West Division Special Teams Player of the Week honors, the league announced today, Dec. 14. It marks the second consecutive week that Ryland took home the accolade and the fourth-time in his career.

Ryland moved into third-place in Eastern Michigan history with 94 career made extra points after he went 5-for-5 on PATs in EMU's 41-33 victory over Northern Illinois, Dec. 12. For Ryland, the five made extra points marked the second-consecutive game he has knocked in at least five PATs, and the sixth time he's accomplished the feat in his career.

In addition to his five extra points, the Cedar Crest, Pa.-product nailed two field goals (39, 24) to topple the Huskies. The pair of field goals extended his flawless kicking streak to nine straight with his last miss being a 53-yard try against Ball State, Nov. 11. Ryland's field goal streak is the fifth-longest active in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) ranks.

Ryland ultimately earned 11 points for the Eagles against NIU, marking the third time in the six-game season that he notched at least 10 points. Previously, Ryland had only recorded a game of 10-plus points twice (2019 vs. Pittsburgh and 2018 vs. Northern Illinois).

He also recorded his first-ever punt on a fake field goal attempt during the contest. The 37-yard boot caught the Huskies off-guard, as he pinned NIU at its own one-yard line.


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No. 24 Buffalo is ranked for the first time in school history, breaking into the Top 25 this week without playing a down. The Bulls had their game at Ohio called off on Friday while on their way to Athens because the Bobcats were having COVID-19 issues.
Buffalo is the first MAC team to be ranked this season, giving every FBS league at least one ranked team during this pandemic-altered season.
The Bulls have been an FBS school playing in the MAC since 1999 and had only two non-losing seasons before Lance Leipold took over as coach in 2015. Leipold, who built a Division III powerhouse at Wisconsin-Whitewater, is in the midst of his fourth straight season of .500 or better at Buffalo.
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B1G Football Players of the Week

Player of the Week
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
F – So. – 6-9 – Greenwood, Ind. – Center Grove (Ind.) – Major: Sports Marketing

  • Averaged 20.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in contests against Providence, No. 17 Texas and Stanford during the 2020 Camping World Maui Invitational
  • Was named to the 2020 Maui Invitational All-Tournament Team after leading the Hoosiers to victories over Providence and Stanford
  • Registered a career-high 31 points in the win over Stanford, making 10-of-16 field goals (.625 pct.) and 11-of-14 free throws (.786 pct.). Also added six rebounds and two assists
  • Earns the first Player of the Week accolade of his career; was a five-time Freshman of the Week honoree in 2019-20
  • Last Indiana Player of the Week: Juwan Morgan (March 11, 2019)
Freshman of the Week
Hunter Dickinson, Michigan
C – 7-1 – Alexandria, Va. – DeMatha Catholic (Md.) – Major: Undecided
  • Averaged 13.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and one block per game and shot 73.3 percent from the floor (11-for-15) in wins over Ball State and Central Florida
  • Recorded the first double-double of his career with 12 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in the Wolverines’ 84-65 win against Ball State
  • In the win against Central Florida, Dickinson recorded 14 points and shot 100.0 percent, sinking all six of his field goal attempts and both of his free throw attempts. Dickinson added seven rebounds, one block and one assist
  • Dickinson currently ranks second on the Wolverines in points (56) and is tied for the team lead with 30 rebounds
  • Last Michigan Freshman of the Week: Franz Wagner (March 2, 2020)


Chippewas three TO's difference in lose to BSU

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Ball State has hit its stride. 
After struggling early in the season and squandering its season opener, fifth-year coach Mike Neu and company have built a solid unit. That unit imposed its will on Central Michigan Dec. 5, rolling the Chippewas 45-20. 
"They took us behind the shed and whopped us pretty good," CMU coach Jim McElwain said. "No doubt about it in every phase of the game. Credit to them and what they were able to do." 
The Cardinals kept their Mid-American Conference championship hopes alive with the win, while the Chippewas were eliminated from MAC West title contention with the loss. 
Here are three takeaways from CMU's 45-20 loss to Ball State
Drew Plitt among conference's best quarterbacks
He ran, he threw, he even threw a block on occasion. 
Ball State quarterback Drew Plitt did whatever he wanted for a majority of Saturday's game. The senior made throws at all three levels -- short, intermediate and long. Surrounded by an arsenal of talented wide receivers, Plitt made play after play when his team needed him to and finished 26-for-43 for 366 yards and four touchdowns. 
He also showed poise and awareness in the pocket. The Chippewa front four had little trouble getting to Plitt, yet he proved difficult to bring down. Numerous times, Plitt would shake off a Chippewa rusher and find a receiver or sprint for a first down. 
Plitt was efficient in both the pass and run game. In the red zone, Plitt took a speed option and reversed field to go 12 yards for a touchdown. In the third quarter, with the Chippewa defense reeling, Plitt sprinted through a small hole in the defense and juked his way to a first down. 
Later on that drive, he dropped a perfect 39-yard pass to Jalen McGaughy while being ripped to the turf by a Chippewa defender. 
After making a late mistake that cost his team a win in their season opener against Miami (Ohio), Plitt has reversed the trajectory of his team's season and captained them to a chance at a MAC championship berth. 
Brock solid, yet unspectacular in first start behind struggling offensive line
After seeing spot duty in the first four games of the season, Brock got his first chance to start for the Chippewas against the Cardinals. With plenty of experience from playing at the Division I FCS level, Brock looked ready for the opportunity. 
Brock provided the only two big plays for an otherwise downtrodden CMU offense. First, he hit junior receiver Kalil Pimpleton open on a wheel route for a 38-yard score to open the Chippewa scoring. Later, he sprinted through a gaping hole on the right side of the field, picked up a block, and ran 82 yards for a touchdown to put his team within 10 points, 24-14. 
Brock finished the game 20-of-30 with 188 passing yards, along with 67 rushing yards. He was intercepted twice, one time for putting too much air on a tight throw to Pimpleton that was intercepted by J.T. Wahee and another late in the game trying to keep a play alive. 
"He did some good things," McElwain said. "(There's) some throws he'd like to have back. And yet he went in there and competed." 
However, more often than not, he was operating with multiple defenders in his face. Without starter Deiyantei Powell-Woods, and Danny Motowski after the first half, the Chippewas struggled to move the ball. There was little to speak of in terms of running the ball, with both junior Kobe Lewis and freshman Lew Nichols being held to 19 and 70 rushing yards, respectively. 
Coming into the game, the Cardinals had allowed the most passing yards of any defense in the MAC. Despite the talented weapons that the Chippewas have at their disposal, Brock and company were unable to take advantage of that struggling secondary. 
Redshirt freshman Daniel Richardson did suit up, as did sophomore John Keller for the first time all season, but did not play. It's unclear whether Brock will be the starter going forward, however he provided the team with a steady presence. Yet, the usually explosive Chippewa offense was held in check by the Cardinal defense. 
Trio of special teams blunders difficult to overcome
In the grand scheme of the game, CMU's three special teams mistakes only resulted in seven Ball State points. Yet, in terms of momentum, they cost so much more. 
First, there was a poor punt from BSU that was inadvertently kicked by redshirt freshman Trey Jones. Fortunately, Pimpleton was able to fall on it and the misplay resulted only in a loss of around 20 yards. 
Pimpleton and company wouldn't get as lucky later on. 
The Chippewas tried a trick play late in the first half on a kick return following a Cardinal touchdown, however Pimpleton stumbled and lost the ball. Ball State was unable to convert with the ensuing nine seconds, and CMU dodged a bullet.
Perhaps the biggest blow came midway through the third quarter with CMU preparing to get the ball trailing by 10. Cardinal punter Nathan Snyder had his punt downed at the 1-yard line, however a penalty forced BSU to retake the field and punt again. 
The result was disaster for CMU. Pimpleton dove at the ensuing punt and lost the ball, which the Cardinals recovered. What ensued was a rushing touchdown from Will Jones, putting the Cardinals up three scores and put the game out of reach. 
The errors on special teams were symbolic of the game itself, with the Chippewas squandering multiple opportunities after being given them. The struggles were too much to overcome. 
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B1G Football Standings 

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Ball State Coach Mike Neu on Cardinals taking on San Jose St. in the Arizona Bowl 

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All-MAC Football Team and awards

2020 MAC Specialty Award Winners
Coach of the Year:  Lance Leipold, Buffalo
Offensive Player of the Year:  Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo
Co-Defensive Players of the Year:  Troy Hairston II, DE, Central Michigan // Brandon Martin, LB, Ball State
Special Teams Player of the Year: D’Wayne “Dee” Eskridge, WR/KOR, Western Michigan
Freshman of the Year:  Lew Nichols III, RB, Central Michigan
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner:  Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo
 
2020 All-MAC First Team Offense
Quarterback – Dustin Crum, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Kayode Awosika, Buffalo +
Offensive Lineman – Mike Novitsky, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Tommy Doyle, Miami &
Offensive Lineman – Bryce Harris, Toledo #
Offensive Lineman – Mike Caliendo, Western Michigan +
Tight End – Quintin Morris, Bowling Green +
Wide Receiver – Justin Hall, Ball State &^
Wide Receiver – Isaiah McKoy, Kent State %
Wide Receiver – Tyrice Richie, Northern Illinois
Wide Receiver – D’Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan
Running Back – Teon Dollard, Akron
Running Back – Jaret Patterson, Buffalo &#
Placekicker – Marshall Meeder, Central Michigan
 
2020 All-MAC First Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – Anthony Ekpe, Ball State
Outside Linebacker – Troy Brown, Central Michigan &
Inside Linebacker – Brandon Martin, Ball State
Inside Linebacker – James Patterson, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Malcolm Koonce, Buffalo &
Down Lineman – Ralph Holley, Western Michigan
Down Lineman – Troy Hairston II, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Mohamed Diallo, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Bryce Cosby, Ball State
Defensive Back – Willie Reid, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Noski LaFleur, Eastern Michigan
Defensive Back – Bricen Garner, Western Michigan
Punter – Luke Elzinga, Central Michigan
 
2020 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – D’Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan
Kickoff Return Specialist – Justin Hall, Ball State &


​2020 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback – Drew Plitt, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Curtis Blackwell, Ball State %
Offensive Lineman – Jake Fuzak, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Derek Smith, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Bill Kuduk, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Jaylon Moore, Western Michigan +
Tight End – Daniel Crawford, Northern Illinois
Wide Receiver – Antonio Nunn, Buffalo %
Wide Receiver – Kalil Pimpleton, Central Michigan &
Wide Receiver – Jack Sorenson, Miami ^
Wide Receiver – Skyy Moore, Western Michigan &
Running Back – De’Montre Tuggle, Ohio
Running Back – La’Darius Jefferson, Western Michigan
Placekicker – Chad Ryland, Eastern Michigan
 
2020 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – Christian Albright, Ball State ^
Outside Linebacker – Jamal Hines, Toledo %
Inside Linebacker – Bubba Arslanian, Akron
Inside Linebacker – Terry Myrick, Eastern Michigan
Down Lineman – Turan Rush, Eastern Michigan
Down Lineman – Weston Kramer, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Desjuan Johnson, Toledo
Down Lineman – Austin Conrad, Ohio
Defensive Back – Antonio Phillips, Ball State &
Defensive Back – Jordan Gandy, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Tycen Anderson, Toledo
Defensive Back – Nate Bauer, Toledo
Punter – Nathan Snyder, Ball State
 
2020 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Trayvon Rudolph, Northern Illinois
Kickoff Return Specialist – De’Montre Tuggle, Ohio

 
2020 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Quarterback – Kaleb Eleby, Western Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Nathan Monnin, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Danny Godlevske, Miami %^
Offensive Lineman – Brayden Patton, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Brett Kitrell, Ohio
Tight End – Zac Lefebvre, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Yo’Heinz Tyler, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Hassan Beydoun, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Isaiah Winstead, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Jaylen Hall, Western Michigan
Running Back – Caleb Huntley, Ball State +
Running Back – Kevin Marks, Buffalo
Placekicker – Alex McNulty, Buffalo
 
2020 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – Kholbe Coleman, Bowling Green %
Inside Linebacker – Jaylin Thomas, Ball State %
Inside Linebacker – Kyle Pugh, Northern Illinois #
Inside Linebacker – Treshaun Hayward, Western Michigan &
Down Lineman – Eddie Wilson, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan
Down Lineman – Kam Butler, Miami +
Down Lineman – Lonnie Phelps, Miami
Defensive Back – A.J. Watts, Akron
Defensive Back – Devonni Reed, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Emmanuel Rugamba, Miami %
Defensive Back – Devin Lafayette, Northern Illinois
Punter – Nick Mihalic, Western Michigan
 
2020 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Bryson Denley, Bowling Green
Kickoff Return Specialist – Ron Cook, Buffalo

& 2019 First-Team All-MAC
+ 2019 Second-Team All-MAC
% 2019 Third-Team All-MAC
 
@ 2018 First-Team All-MAC
# 2018 Second-Team All-MAC
^ 2018 Third-Team All-MAC
 
= 2017 First-Team All-MAC
* 2017 Second-Team All-MAC
!  2017 Third-Team All-MAC

B1G Players of the Week

Offensive Player of the Week
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Iowa

Sr., WR, Newark, N.J./Weequahic
  • Caught seven passes for a career-high 140 yards and two touchdowns in Iowa’s 28-7 win over Wisconsin on Saturday
  • His 140 receiving yards were the most by a Hawkeye since Nov. 19, 2011 (Marvin McNutt – 151 yards at Purdue)
  • Finished with 167 all-purpose yards to move into 10th place on the school’s all-time list (3,415 yards)
  • Collects his first career Offensive Player of the Week award
  • Last Iowa Offensive Player of the Week: Nate Stanley (Oct. 15, 2018)


Defensive Player of the Week
Mariano Sori-Marin, Minnesota
Jr., LB, Mokena, Ill./Providence Catholic
  • Recorded a career-high 18 tackles (six solo, 12 assisted) Saturday in leading Minnesota to a 24-17 win at Nebraska
  • Posted the most tackles by a Golden Gopher since Nov. 17, 2018 (Blake Cashman – 20 vs. Northwestern)
  • Also forced a fumble to help Minnesota to its third win in its last four outings
  • Claims his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor
  • Last Minnesota Defensive Player of the Week: Antoine Winfield Jr. (Nov. 11, 2019)


Special Teams Players of the Week
Jahan Dotson, Penn State
Jr., WR/KR, Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area
  • Had an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Penn State’s 39-24 win over Michigan State on Saturday
  • Added eight catches for 108 yards, becoming the third Big Ten student-athlete since 2000 with 100 receiving yards and a punt return touchdown in the same game (Wisconsin’s Brandon Williams vs. Indiana – Oct. 1, 2005; Michigan’s Steve Breaston at Indiana – Nov. 11, 2006)
  • Registered the first PSU punt return for a touchdown since Sept. 8, 2018 (DeAndre Thompkins – 39 yards at Pittsburgh)
  • Earns his first career Special Teams Player of the Week honor
  • Last Penn State Special Teams Player of the Week: Blake Gillikin (Oct. 28, 2019)


Freshman of the Week
Cam Porter, Northwestern
RB, Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle
  • Set career highs with 24 carries for 142 yards and two touchdowns Saturday to pace Northwestern to a 28-10 win over visiting Illinois
  • Helped the Wildcats rush for a season-high 411 yards, their highest total since Nov. 22, 2003 (444 vs. Illinois)
  • Only played the first three quarters as NU secured the Land of Lincoln Trophy for the sixth consecutive year
  • Collects his first career Freshman of the Week award
  • Last Northwestern Freshman of the Week: Brandon Joseph (Nov. 23, 2020)


B1G Football Standings

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MAC Football Standings

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FINAL: Spartans snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, Penn State 39, MSU 24

Joe Dandron- State News

Michigan State looked like it had this one.

Until it didn't.
In Payton Thorne's first career start, with Gruff Sparty adorning their helmets, with a 21-10 lead at halftime and with a 21-point second-quarter outburst from an offense that was bereft of life, the Spartans blew it.
Penn State didn't.
And the Nittany Lions won the battle Land Grant Trophy 39-24 as Jahan Dotson buckled his knees and scooted 81 yards for a punt-return touchdown to seal the game with 11:24 left in the final quarter.
"We have to do it for four quarters," Head Coach Mel Tucker said after the loss. "It was crystal clear today, what we've been talking about and what we're striving for. In the first half, we played complementary football. We did on offense, defense and special teams. Guys were playing hard, and we had execution and we were able to have success. In the second half, we did not do that."
MSU falls to 2-5 with the loss and Penn State won their third game in a row to climb to 3-5 after starting the season with five straight losses.
MSU's offense flickers then the flame goes out
Thorne and the MSU offense found the end zone in the second quarter after getting down 3-0 at the end of the first.
Wide receiver Jalen Nailor beat a safety on a deep post route and Thorne thrust the ball downfield for 45 yards. MSU took a 7-3 lead.
Then Thorne connected on 10-of-10 passes in the second quarter with seven completions of 10+ yards and two more touchdowns, one more to Nailor and another to 6-foot-7 giant Tre'Von Morgan, his first of his career, with 6:24 left in the second.
At the half, on the legs of a second-quarter that was MSU's best 15-minute stretch of offense all season, MSU was averaging 8.1 yards per play and Thorne had three touchdowns and more than 200 yards after he started the game with a penalty, sack and interception all on the very first drive.
"He wasn't rattled, and he was into the game and he was aware, the entire game," Tucker said. "He had a good look in his eye and he was into the game."
Penn State's defense was lost. MSU's offense found its way.
In the second half, MSU had 147 total yards of offense after having more than 200 in the first half. Thorne, overall, was a bright spot for a team that has struggled with week-to-week consistency under center all season. The redshirt-freshman finished with 325 passing yards, three touchdowns and 22 completions on 39 attempts.
Penn State's second-half adjustments save season freefall
The Nittany Lions' historically bad start has been salvaged by three straight wins over Michigan, Rutgers and now MSU.
Penn State's defense was battered and bruised for much of the first half but in the second, the Nittany Lions front seven chased Thorne around the line of scrimmage and their quarterback duo of Will Levis and Sean Clifford found stability.
Levis and Clifford both rushed for touchdowns. Clifford scampered for the Nittany Lions' first touchdown of the day, and Levis scored his from one yard out to give Penn State a 25-24 lead that they never relinquished.
Dotson returned a punt to seal the game. MSU's offense was shut down in the second half by a defense that is missing a likely top-10 draft pick in linebacker Micah Parsons.

In a year where Penn State has lost to teams that it hadn't in years, they kept their hopes for any semblance of a postseason bowl game alive as the usual baseline for a bowl game of winning six games was waived early this fall by the NCAA.
What's next for Michigan State
MSU will see who they play for their ninth game during Big Ten Champions Week. The ninth week of the season will showcase teams from each division facing each other.
"I really haven't been told anything," Tucker said. "We'll find out when we find out. ... We'll be on the phone today, and I'll be asking a lot of questions. We'll be making some calls, and we might not be able to narrow it down. We might not know tonight, but we might be able to narrow it down to a couple two or three teams."
MSU finishes the regular season section of their schedule with two wins, but both came against teams ranked in the Associated Press Top-15.

MAC Football Standings

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BGSU Coach Loeffler
on team progress and week 5

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MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Bronze Stalk trophy will look good for another year in BSU's Fisher Football Training Complex. Ball State wore down visiting Northern Illinois 31-25 Wednesday night, keeping the rivalry trophy in Muncie. The Cardinals won 27-20 at NIU last season.

"I'm just proud of the way the guys answered the bell in the second half," BSU head coach Mike Neu said. "We knew we had to go play a four-quarter game. No matter what would've happened in any previous play or previous quarter or half, we just needed to go play, battle, fight, scratch and claw, and the guys did that."

Perhaps the biggest play of the game came in the second quarter with Ball State trailing 14-7 and NIU threatening. Amechi Uzodinma II picked off a pass and ran it 71 yards for a touchdown to tie the game heading into halftime.

Caleb Huntley, one of the nation's top performers last week when he rushed for 204 yards and three touchdowns versus Eastern Michigan, took over after having only 19 yards at halftime. Huntley carried six times on the Cardinals' go-ahead drive, scoring a 3-yard touchdown with 5:12 left on the third-quarter clock. Ball State would lead for the rest of the game.

"The defense kept battling and battling and battling, and then we got that pick six," Neu said. "You could just feel the momentum shift there on the sideline. You could just feel the added punch that we needed."

Huntley, who entered the week third in the nation in yards per game, continued his dominance on the ground with 103 yards and a score against NIU. It was his seventh consecutive effort of 100 yards or more, which set a school record.

BSU (2-1, 2-1 MAC) extended its lead to 28-14 after Yo'Heinz Tyler made two big plays. Tyler took a Drew Plitt pass 64 yards to the NIU 13 and then was rewarded with the touchdown moments later. NIU answered with a scoring drive, but Ball State tacked on a 33-yard field goal from Jack Knight with 2:20 left in the game to lead 31-22. NIU added a late field goal and tried an onside kick in the final moments, but BSU was able to ice the game and retain the rivalry trophy. 

"It means a lot," senior safety Bryce Cosby said. "Before the game, I was telling the guys about 2017. We got beat 63-17. It was hard as a freshman ... I can remember that game at NIU like it was yesterday. It was freezing cold. We got beat 63-17 and it was a true gut punch just getting on the bus after that ... I am fortunate to be part of this rivalry, and am I glad we have gone on to win the past two years."

Antwan Davis scored a touchdown early in the game and added a 2-point conversion after the Tyler touchdown. Tyler and Justin Hall combined to catch 14 of Ball State's 17 completed passes. The Cardinals amassed 201 yards on the ground, with Tye Evans gaining 60 yards while spelling Huntley.

NIU (0-3, 0-3 MAC) was led by Tyrice Richie, who caught 11 passes for 108 yards. NIU quarterback Ross Bowers threw for 300 yards, but the defensive touchdown scored on the interception swung the game in favor of the Cardinals.

Cosby led the Cardinals with 14 tackles, while Jaylin Thomas had 13. Uzodinma also had two pass breakups in addition to the game-changing interception.
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan University Head Football Coach Chris Creighton officially welcomed 21 student-athletes to the football program Wednesday, Dec. 18, during the Early Signing Period. All have committed to join the Eagles for the 2020 campaign.

The class includes eight defensive and 13 offensive players representing 11 different states. On defense, EMU added four recruits in the defensive backfield, two defensive linemen, and two linebackers. Offensively,  EMU signed four wide receivers, three offensive linemen, two running backs, two tight ends, and two quarterbacks.

"We feel very strongly about this incoming class," said Creighton. "Each and everyone of these young men have chosen our culture and our challenge of taking this program to an even higher level.  This group is a bunch of hungry winners and I cannot wait for them all to get here."

The highly anticipated class features 15 student-athletes rated as three-star prospects by the national recruiting services. Overall, three members of the class are already enrolled at Eastern Michigan with four more anticipated to enroll in January.

In its third year, the early signing period was approved by the NCAA in May 2017. The early signing period allows high school seniors a 72-hour window in December to sign a National Letter of Intent with the school of their choice. It comes about two months before National Signing Day, which is Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019.

Eastern Michigan finished its 2019 season with a 6-6 record and will play in consecutive bowl games for the first time in the 128-year history of the program when it battles the University of Pittsburgh at the Quick Lane Bowl, Dec. 26, in Detroit.

The Eastern offense, led by senior quarterback Mike Glass III, was electric during the 2019 season, amassing 4,833 total yards, 45 touchdowns, and 349 total points. Glass was electric with 3,203 yards of total offense (345 rushing, 2,858 passing) and 29 touchdowns. He led the Mid-American Conference and ranks 17th nationally in total offense with 291.2 yards per contest. He finished the regular season ranked 14th in the FBS in completion percentage (67.8%), 18th in completions per game (21.64), 18th in points responsible for per game (16.0), and 24th in passing yards per game (259.8).

Defensively, it was another strong campaign for Neal Neathery's unit. Strong up-front, EMU tallied 20 sacks, while its veteran-laden secondary hauled in 11 interceptions, good for third in the MAC. Senior Kobie Beltram paced EMU with 116 tackles. His 9.7 stops per game is good for fifth in the conference and 17th in the NCAA.

The following is a roster and biographical sketches for each of EMU's newest additions...

MAC Standings Week 4

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team was unable to overcome an early deficit as it opened its 2020 home campaign with a Mid-American Conference setback, 45-28, to its West Division rival, the University of Toledo, at "The Factory," inside Rynearson Stadium, Nov. 18.
 
Eastern (0-3, 0-3 MAC) outscored Toledo (2-1, 2-1 MAC) in the fourth quarter, but was unable to pull within striking distance before time ran out. Junior quarterback Preston Hutchinson (Mason, Ohio-Mason) found senior tight end Bryson Cannon (Columbia, S.C.-Dutch Fork (Independence C.C.)) for an eight-yard touchdown reception with 12 seconds left. The score capped off a drive consisting of 17 plays for 62 yards.
 
Offensively, Hutchinson paced the Eagles as he completed 25-of-38 pass attempts for 244 yards and four touchdowns. Junior receiver Quian Williams (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Southmoore) recorded a team-high eight receptions for 86 yards with touchdown grab, while classmate Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn) tallied eight receptions for 64 yards.
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On the defensive side, eight Eagles posted career-highs in tackles. Senior linebacker Terry Myrick (Austell, Ga.-Woodward Academy) led the way with 14 stops. Junior Tariq Speights (Valencia, Calif.-Valencia (College of the Canyons)) followed with 11, while junior Korey Hernandez (Decatur, Ga.-Cedar Grove (Iowa Western C.C.)) and freshman Mark Lee Jr. (Columbus, Ohio-Northland) each notched seven tackles, respectively.
 
Senior Jake Julien (Barrie, Ontario-North Collegiate) led the punting game for the Eagles with six boots for 256 yards. He averaged 44.2 yards per punt with a long of 53 yards, which tied his season long. Additionally, he placed two punts inside the 20-yard line.
 
The EMU defense was strong right out of the locker room, forcing a punt on the first drive of the game for the second time this season. However, the offense couldn't convert as the Green and White went three-and-out on their first drive of the game. On the Rockets' next drive, Myrick came up big with a strip-sack to force a fumble at the EMU 14-yard line to give the Eagles' offense a chance to strike.
 
After a booming punt from Julien, Toledo answered on its next possession, needing just 1:23 to score seven points of its own and take a 7-0 lead. The score came as UT quarterback Eli Peters connected with Devin Maddox for a 25-yard touchdown completion, while kicker Evan Davis added the extra point to close out the first quarter.
 
Down, 14-0, early in the second quarter, the Eagles took advantage of a muffed punt, scoring off of the turnover as Hutchinson found teammate sophomore Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio-Mason) in the back of the endzone for a 17-yard completion with 10:43 left in the frame. Junior Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.-Cedar Crest) converted on the extra-point attempt to make it a one-score game, 14-7.
 
Although EMU's next drive ended with a fumble, the defensive players were able to rally with conviction, as senior defensive lineman Turan Rush (Charleston West Side, W.Va.-Capital-Antelope Valley) picked up a huge sack to force a Toledo field-goal attempt, which ultimately missed. Despite the momentum, Toledo was able to take a 24-7 lead into the break.
 
Although Eastern Michigan's offense moved the ball well throughout parts of the third quarter, the Rocket defense was able to force two consecutive possessions out of the halftime intermission. Toledo took advantage of those stops, finding the back of the end zone in its first two drives of the third stanza, making the score 38-7, with 5:48 left in the quarter.  The Eagles, who showed consistent resiliency, worked their way down the field just moments later for what was ultimately a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Freshman running back DJ Smith (Dallas, Texas-Frisco Lone Star) capped the scoring series with his first-career touchdown, a nine-yard reception. EMU attempted the two-point conversion, but couldn't capitalize, and went to the fourth down, 38-13.

The Eastern offense continued to fight in the fourth quarter, as it rattled off a five-play, 77-yard scoring drive over two minutes as Williams pulled in a 12-yard touchdown pass with 7:13 remaining. Hutchinson found Knue for the two-point conversion to cut Toledo's lead to 45-21. The Eagles' defense forced a Toledo punt on the next possession, and the offense marched back down the field over the next five minutes to score an eight-yard touchdown with 12 ticks remaining. The late score was Cannon's first of the season. Ryland's extra point attempt was good, and brought the score to 45-28, where it would ultimately finish.
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