Ball State Cardinals

Ball State defeated Southeast Missouri State last week behind 105 yards and a touchdown from running back Eric Williams. Star quarterback Kelly Page was 10-of-17 for 85 yards. The Cardinals rushed for 243 yards as a team with Cory Sykes scoring twice on 72 yards.

On defense the Cardinals held the RedHawks to 237 yards, while forcing three turnovers.

Ball State will host Liberty on Saturday.

Central Michigan Chippewas

The Chippewas have had a winning record for the past five years and have made four consecutive bowl games. That’s in danger with Dan LeFevour and Antonio Brown gone.

CMU started 2010 on the right note with a 33-0 victory over Hampton. Linebacker Nick Bellore had a game-high 11 tackles and Paris Cotton ran for 94 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Ryan Radcliff was 20-of-34 for 242 yards and one score in his first career start.

They will battle Temple Thursday night.

Eastern Michigan Eagles

The Eagles held a late 27-24 lead on Army but failed to hold on for the win, losing 31-27. Running back Dwayne Priest carried the ball 26 times for 142 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Alex Gillett was 4-of-9 for 31 yards and a score.

Linebacker Tim Fort led the defense with 15 tackles.

EMU returns 44 letterwinners and 12 starters from a 2009 team that led the MAC in pass defense.

This week the Eagles take on Miami-OH on the road.

Northern Illinois Huskies

After a flat first half the Huskies held Iowa State to just 28 yards rushing in the second half. Running back Chad Spann led NIU with 80 yards on 17 carries, with quarterback DeMarcus Grady struggling to go 14-of-29 for 93 yards and three interceptions.

Tracy Wilson led the defense with 10 tackles and one interception with linebacker Tyrone Clark making nine tackles and one pick in just his second career start.

NIU lost that game 27-10 and takes on North Dakota at home this Saturday.

Toledo Rockets

Arizona handled the Rockets with ease last week, winning 41-2. Quarterback Austin Dantin was 14-of-23 for 103 yards to lead the offense and Desmond Marrow had nine tackles from the defensive back position.

Toledo has 14 starters back from 2009, seven on each side of the ball.

The Rockets will head to Ohio this week.

Western Michigan Broncos

Like MAC West opponent Central Michigan, the Broncos are also replacing a star quarterback in Tim Hiller, who holds the school’s total offense record (11,220 yards, fourth in MAC history). They also lost running back Brandon West who finished with 7,764 career all-purpose yards.

Last week WMU fell 38-14 to Big Ten opponent Michigan State with quarterback Alex Carder going 27-of-49 with 220 yards and two scores.

This week the Broncos will host Nicholls State on Saturday.