By: Ball State Athletics
In 2019, the Ball State football team sported the best offense in the Mid-American Conference. The Cardinals averaged 34.8 points per game and 463 yards per game - both marks the best in the MAC. Compared to previous years, the team's improvement was easy to see. But, the Cards were edged in three close games by a total of eight points. The 2019 Cardinals were one key play away in each game from a wildly successful, breakout season.In 2020, the Cardinals started slamming the door shut.
The Cards fashioned a 5-1 record, with four wins by a the margin of a single score. Each week produced a thrilling win that featured a turning point when the Cardinals took advantage and closed the door. Here are the five exact moments when Ball State finished the job en route to a division championship:
Nov. 11 vs. Eastern Michigan - Ball State 38, EMU 31
Caleb Huntley dominated this game, rushing for 204 yards and three touchdowns. And it was Huntley who churned the yards and clock for BSU with the game tied at 31 in the final minute. The bruising running back carried seven times in the game-winning drive and scored a TD with 6 seconds left to give Ball State the win. However, the most important play came through the air. After a penalty and a sack, Ball State faced a 3rd-and-19 in its own territory. Drew Plitt and Antwan Davis connected for the yards to gain in what may have been the most underrated single play of the season. Picking up that improbable first down allowed the Cards to feed Huntley the ball and clinch their first win of the season.
Nov. 18 vs. Northern Illinois - Ball State 31, NIU 25
Ball State led NIU 20-14 early in the fourth quarter and capitalized on a chance to create a little breathing room. A Northern Illinois drive stalled, and Ball State marched 80 yards for a Yo'Heinz Tyler touchdown and Antwan Davis 2-point conversion to lead 28-14. Northern Illinois would scored 11 points late, but wouldn't catch up to the Cardinals. The Tyler touchdown - and a 64-yard gain just before the touchdown - were the key moments in BSU's second win of the season.
Nov. 28 at Toledo - Ball State 27, Toledo 24
With 6:27 left in the fourth quarter, Ball State led on the road at Toledo 27-9. The home team wouldn't go quietly, scoring 15 points and getting the ball back late in a position to win or tie. Ball State needed a clutch defensive stop to capture a win in the Glass Bowl for the first time since 2012. Anthony Ekpe delivered the game-winning play, a strip sack in the game's final minute to stop a potential winning drive by Toledo.
Dec. 5 at Central Michigan - Ball State 45, CMU 20
Ball State's win at Central Michigan was the only game not filled with drama. Drew Plitt threw a touchdown pass to Dylan Koch with 13 seconds to play before halftime to give BSU a 24-7 lead. From there, the lead only grew. A Jalen McGaughy touchdown early in the fourth quarter made it 45-14 and the Cardinals were on their way to a regular season finale showdown with Western Michigan.
Dec. 12 vs. Western Michigan - Ball State 30, WMU 27
Fans may think the division title was clinched when Western Michigan was called for an illegal forward pass during a wild, lateral-crazy finish. Ball State scored the last 17 points of the game and had the upper hand before the final confusing play. The winning moment was actually a series of plays that set up the division-clinching field goal from Jack Knight. With 4:14 left, the Cardinals forced a huge 3-and-out and took over on offense at the WMU 46-yard-line. BSU quickly moved down the field. Drew Plitt completed three passes and WMU committed a personal foul penalty. With 29 seconds left, Knight booted the game-winner to send the Cardinals to Detroit.
Ball State is in the MAC Championship Game this Friday in Detroit, taking on East Division champ and nationally-ranked Buffalo for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The game will be on ESPN and WLBC 104.1 FM.
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December 14, 2020 at 08:24PM
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The Turning Point in All Five Wins - BallStateSports.com
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