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Ball State bashes Black Knights |
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 MUNCIE, IN. - The Ball State football team orchestrated a 48-21 non-conference victory over Army Saturday afternoon at Scheumann Stadium to improve to 3-1 on the season. The win gives Ball State and first-year head coach Pete Lembo a 3-1 start to the season. The last time the Cardinals started a season 3-1 was in 1995 under the tutelage of former head coach Bill Lynch (1995-2002). It is the best start for the Cardinals since 2008 when Ball State went 12-0 in the regular season under the direction of former head coach Brady Hoke (2002-08).
"It's all about the players, and they really came out and executed the plan very well," Lembo said. "We did some totally different things on defense. It was a pretty grueling week for the defensive players and the scout team. There was a sense of urgency to get ready for today, and I thought we executed pretty well."
The Ball State defense was relentless throughout the afternoon, shutting out Army in the first half. The Cardinals held Army without a pass completion tying an NCAA single-game record (achieved numerous times, last happened Houston vs. Air Force, 9/13/08).
Sophomore quarterback Keith Wenning tied his career high with 24 pass completions for a career-best 324 yards against the Black Knights.
"Offensively, we knew getting off to a good start would be pretty important," Lembo said. "We were able to maintain a really nice balance in the first half. I don't think in 11 years as a head coach, I have had a team play that good of a half. It was pretty neat to see."
The Cardinals raced out to a 31-0 lead at the half behind Wenning's 21-of-27 passing performance for 254 yards and two touchdowns. Willie Snead was his top target with nine catches for 135 yards and one score.
Freshman running back Jahwan Edwards’ three-yard touchdown run in the Cardinals opening drive of the game gave the Cardinals a 7-0 edge over Army with 10:10 on the clock. Edwards recorded his second TD of the game after a 12-yard run into the end zone to give Ball State the 14-0 lead over Army at the 12:38 mark of the second quarter.
Junior wide receiver and Muncie native, Jamill Smith returned a punt for 12 yards, putting the Cardinals on the 41-yard line to start their drive late in the second quarter. Smith then capitalized on the field position later in the series by catching a 2-yard touchdown pass from Wenning to put Ball State up 21-0 with 4:39 left in the half.
Army tried to pass on first down after the kickoff, but senior safety Sean Baker registered his 17th career interception, returning it 18 yards. That set up a 21-yard touchdown pass from Wenning to Snead, making the score 28-0.
Steven Schott added a 21-yard field goal as time expired to give Ball State a 31-0 cushion over the Knights at the half.
"Their offense really had their way with us," Army head coach Rich Ellerson said. "They have got a very basic zone and power and we did not have a chance. We could not do anything about their quarterback. He really played a good game. He clearly had a hot hand and the way you cool somebody's hot hand is with some pressure. We just could not generate anything. They did such a good job up front and he just stayed in that zone. He had a wonderful day."
Baker sacked Army quarterback Trent Steelman on a fourth-and-eighth on the second half opening drive, giving the Cardinals field possession on their own 38-yard line. After six plays and 62 yards, Edwards scored his third TD of the game at the 6:46 mark for a 38-0 advantage.
Army scored its first TD of the game with 4:11 left in the third quarter after a 1-yard touchdown run from sophomore slot back Raymond Maples.
Sophomore tight end David Schneider recorded the first touchdown reception of his career off of a 51-yard touchdown pass from Wenning near the end of the third quarter, increasing the Cardinals cushion over the Knights to 45-7.
Army cut Ball State's lead to 45-14 at the 12:49 mark in the fourth quarter after slot back Raymond Maples tallied on a 19-yard TD run.
Schott capped off the Cardinals victory with a 22-yard field goal with 2:50 left in the contest, making the score 48-14. Army added a final tally with just over a minute remaining to make it 48-21.
Courtesy of Ball State Athletics
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