Ball St. 38, E. Michigan 16

9/9/2007 7:42 AM

YPSILANTI, MIch. (AP)- Nate Davis's three touchdown passes helped Ball State take a commanding 24-9 halftime lead Saturday en route to a 38-16 victory over Eastern Michigan.

Ball State (1-1, 1-1 Mid-American) held the Eagles to one touchdown in the second half a week after a disappointing one point loss to Miami in the game's final minute.

The Cardinals set the tone in the first quarter when Davis hooked up with MiQuale Lewis on a 77-yard reception to set up a two-yard touchdown pass to Darius Hill for a 7-0 lead. After Eastern Michigan failed to get a punt off deep in its own territory, Davis found Joe Everett in the back of the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown pass and the 14-3 lead.

Davis was 19-for-38 for 306 yards, four TDs and no interceptions for the Cardinals. Dante Love finished with seven catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns.

Eastern Michigan (0-2, 0-1 MAC) showed signs of life in the second quarter when Andy Schmitt found DeAnthony White on a 67-yard reception with under five minutes left in the half to cut the lead to 14-9. White had seven catches for 94 yards.

Ball State responded with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Davis to Love and a 42-yard field goal by Jake Hogue as time expired in the half to take command of the game.

Schmitt finished 16-for-24 for 155 yards and a touchdown for the Eagles. Dontayo Gage had a 90-yard kickoff return for the Eagles in the games closing minutes.