Smith helps Eastern Michigan end two-game skid, beating Ball State 24-10

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Cole Pearce with a Sack vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles

Cole Pearce (Eastern Michigan Eagles) with a Sack vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles, 10/07/2023


YPSILANTI, Mich. -- — Austin Smith threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns, Samson Evans ran for a touchdown and Eastern Michigan stuffed Ball State 24-10 on Saturday.

Evans' 2-yard scoring run broke a 3-all tie and ended an 11-play, 65-yard drive that lasted a little more than five minutes. The Eagles (3-3, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) made it 17-3 with 6:36 left before halftime when Smith threw a 3-yard score to JB Mitchell III. The score ended a nine-play, 62-yard drive that lasted 4:39.

Ball State (1-5, 0-2) countered with its own yard-chewing drive going 71 yards in eight plays resulting in a 13-yard scoring pass from Layne Hatcher to Tanner Koziol with 2:32 before halftime.

Eastern Michigan ended the game's scoring when it took the opening drive of the second half and eight plays in Smith threw a 50-yard score to Hamze El-Zayat.

Hatcher threw for 132 yards for the Cardinals. ------

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