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Wenning sharp as Cardinals dump Hoosiers |
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 MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State University football team defeated Big Ten Conference opponent Indiana, 27-20, Saturday night in its season opener at Lucas Oil Stadium. First year head football coach Pete Lembo recorded his first win at the helm of the Cardinals behind the performance of starting quarterback Keith Wenning, who had a career high 61 rushing yards with one touchdown. Wenning also completed 23-of-29 passes for 173 with two TDs.
"The most important people are those guys in the locker room," Lembo says. "They have been through a lot of highs and lows. I have said this a million times, the way they have embraced our coaching staff is incredible. Hopefully, tonight shows if you get everybody on the same page and you are working together, it does not matter where you come from or where you coached."
Indiana scored the first touchdown of the game when running back Matt Perez rushed nine yards for a score at 8:56 of the first quarter.
Late in the period, sophomore Aaron Morris recorded his first career sack, which forced the Hoosiers to punt on fourth a down. Ball State then drove 84 yards in 13 plays to tie the score (7-7) at the start of the second quarter after Wenning connected with junior running back Barrington Scott on a 1-yard touchdown pass. Scott's TD marked the first of his career as a member of the Cardinals.
IU took the lead with 12:58 remaining in the second quarter 14-7, but Ball State quickly answered back at the 7:11 mark after Wenning recorded the third rushing touchdown of his career with a 1-yard run.
A 49-yard field goal from Mitch Ewald at 3:17 allowed the Hoosiers to enjoy a 17-14 halftime advantage, but BSU senior kicker Steven Schott drew the teams even again with a 38-yard field goal with 9:25 remaining in the third quarter. The kick marked Schott's longest field goal of his career.
After Indiana went three-and-out, Ball State mounted a nine-play, 70-yard drive to take the lead. Wenning found Connor Ryan on a 20-yard pass play for the score with 3:54 left in the period. The TD reception by Ryan was the second of his career.
Schott secured the victory for the Cardinals with a 22-yard field goal at 2:16 of the final period to put Ball State up 27-17 over the Hoosiers.
Indiana covered 52 yards in nine plays before settling for a 27-yard field goal with 59 seconds remaining. Down by seven, Indiana tried an onside kick, but the Cardinals recovered and ran out the clock.
"I thought we were a little pumped up early," Lembo said. "Our student body stepped up. The alumni turnout was just terrific. I could not be happier for the university."
Ball State will travel to South Florida Saturday for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Bulls are coming off a 23-20 win Saturday at Notre Dame.
Courtesy of Ball State Athletics |
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