Tulsa's Tarrion Adams (25) rushed for 207 yards and 3 TDs (file photo)
MOBILE, Ala. Ball State dropped to 12-2 on the season after suffering a 45-13 loss to Tulsa (11-3) in the GMAC Bowl Tuesday night at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Tulsa took the early 7-0 lead over the Cardinals in the first quarter but Ball State answered back with an 18-yard touchdown run from junior quarterback Nate Davis, marking Davis fifth rushing TD of the season. The point after kick was made by Ian McGarvey, which extended his school record streak to 72 dating back to last season.
The Cardinals defense held Tulsa to a 30-yard field goal late in the first quarter but the Golden Hurricane went on to score with 10:39 remaining in the second quarter increasing their lead to 17-7.
Ball State senior defensive end Robert Eddins blocked the first punt of his career and freshman wide receiver Jeremy Hill recovered the ball to give Ball State good field position, which resulted in a 40-yard field goal from McGarvey with 6:36 left in the second quarter and closed Tulsa's lead to 17-10.
Tulsa made its way down the field quickly to go ahead of the Cardinals 24-10 with 4:30 left in the second quarter on a 57-yard touchdown run. With 29 seconds before the completion of the first half, sophomore kicker Ian McGarvey nailed a 22-yard field goal to close the gap to 24-13 at the break.
During halftime, inclement weather conditions occurred with a heavy downpour which continued for the majority of the remainder of the game. But the weather did not hamper the Golden Hurricane who opened the second half with a touchdown to take a 31-13 edge over Ball State. Tulsa added another touchdown after Tarrion Adams scored his third touchdown of the game making it 38-13 with 13:29 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The last touchdown scored was with 10:25 in the fourth when Tulsa completed a 13-yard pass to Jacob Frank making the score 45-13 giving Tulsa its second consecutive GMAC Bowl Championship.
The GMAC Bowl was the second straight for the Cardinals, and marked the first time in school history Ball State has played in a bowl game in back-to-back season.
"We won 12 games this year and did not play well in the last two," Parrish says. "Our kids should hold their heads high. Any time you can win 12 games in a college football season, it is a good year.
Report courtesy Ball State Athletic Communications
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