 BALL STATE 31, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 27 With the victory, Ball State improves to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the Mid-American Conference, while Central Michigan fell to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in league action.
"I don't quite have an explanation for the first half," Ball State head coach Pete Lembo says. "I know exactly what happened. We missed a lot of tackles and had a lot of guys with some technique issues, particularly in pass defense. But, the good news is I did not sense the wind coming out of our sails. We still had pretty good focus on the sidelines. Our guys were battling, and obviously the two-minute drive before the half and the field goal just at the half, really helped."
Central Michigan took the early 3-0 edge over Ball State after David Harman nailed a career long 45-yard field goal in the Chippewas first possession. Central Michigan ended the first quarter with a touchdown to increase its lead to 10-0.
In the second quarter, sophomore punter Scott Secor ran 28 yards for a first down off of a fake punt, but the Cardinals were unable to capitalize on the play.
At the 10:34 mark of the second quarter, the Chippewas increased their lead over the Cardinals to 17-0 after quarterback Ryan Radcliff threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Blackburn.
With 38 seconds remaining in the second quarter, sophomore quarterback Keith Wenning started Ball State's march down the field with a 46-yard pass completion to wide receiver Jack Tomlinson. The Cardinals drive resulted in a 25-yard field goal from kicker Steven Schott to end the half at 17-3.
"You probably think halftime was one of those when you go in and peel the paint off the walls, but that wasn't the case at all," Lembo says. "I told them I totally expected and had confidence that we could cut away at it and get ourselves back in the game. I felt good when we came out of the locker room."
Wenning connected on a 28-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Briggs Orsbon at the 6:42 mark in the third quarter to make the score 20-10.
Ball State was then fueled by Nathan Ollie's forced fumble on the Chippewas 41-yard line, which was recovered by Travis Freeman. The fumble recovery marked Freeman's first of the season and second of his career. Ball State capitalized on Central Michigan's miscue as the turnover set up a 1-yard touchdown run from Jahwan Edwards that cut CMU’s lead to 20-17.
More Ball State scoring followed Central Michigan mistakes. The Cardinals managed to take the lead for the first time after Wenning found junior tight end Aaron Mershman for a 2-yard TD reception with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter to give Ball State a 24-20 advantage.
Central Michigan responded with a touchdown at the 11:45 mark in the fourth quarter making it a 31-27 contest but Ball State quickly answered back after Wenning completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver and Muncie junior Jamill Smith to give Ball State the 31-27 edge over the Chippewas.
Late in the fourth quarter, Aaron Morris forced a Central Michigan on Ball State's 27-yard line. Jason Pinkston recovered for the hosts.
Senior safety Sean Baker capped the game off at the end of regulation with his second interception of the season. Baker is the all-time record holder for interceptions at Ball State with 18.
Other BSU defensive standouts included Morris and Ollie. Both forced a Central Michigan fumble, and they paced the Cardinals “D” with a combined 26 tackles. Freeman had two sacks and a fumble recovery.
Courtesy of Ball State Athletics |
