MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — Noah Kim passed for 229 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score to lead Eastern Michigan to a 24-9 victory over Ball State on Saturday at Scheumann Stadium.

The Eagles’ defense was the story of the day, stifling the Ball State offense and holding the Cardinals to just three field goals. Eastern Michigan improved to 4-7 overall, while Ball State fell to 4-6.

Eastern Michigan established control early, marching 58 yards on the game’s opening drive. The 13-play possession was capped by a 1-yard quarterback sneak from Kim, giving the Eagles a 7-0 lead with 9:19 remaining in the first quarter.

The Eagles extended their lead in the second quarter with a quick-strike touchdown. Kim connected with Jamarien Wheeler on a 43-yard scoring pass, pushing the advantage to 14-0. Wheeler was the game’s top receiver, hauling in six catches for 131 yards.

Ball State finally got on the board late in the first half with a 42-yard field goal from DC Pippin. Eastern Michigan answered just before the break, with Rudy Kessinger drilling a 43-yard field goal as time expired to send the Eagles into halftime with a 17-3 lead.

The Cardinals managed another Pippin field goal, this time from 25 yards, on their first possession of the third quarter to cut the deficit to 17-6.

Eastern Michigan put the game away early in the fourth quarter. Running back Tavierre Dunlap broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run, restoring the Eagles’ cushion at 24-6 with 11:49 left to play.

Ball State’s offense, led by quarterback Kiael Kelly, struggled to sustain drives through the air. Kelly completed 13 of 22 passes for just 62 yards and was intercepted once. He was more effective on the ground, leading the Cardinals with 67 rushing yards on 15 carries. Ball State’s only other scoring came on a 38-yard Pippin field goal midway through the fourth quarter to provide the final margin.

The Eagles’ defensive effort was spearheaded by a group of linebackers, with Bryce Llewellyn, Barry Manning, and Donovan Green each recording six total tackles. Manning and Andrew Marshall each recorded a sack.

For Ball State, safety Michael Gravely Jr. had a game-high eight tackles and an interception. The loss defied pregame projections, as Ball State had been installed as a 2.5-point favorite and statistical models gave the Cardinals a 61 percent chance to win.

Eastern Michigan concludes its regular season at home against Western Michigan on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Ball State travels to face Toledo on Saturday, Nov. 22.