PITTSBURGH — For Ball State, halftime probably could havecome at a better time.
The Cardinals scored twice in the final six minutes of the firsthalf -- both on Talmadge Hill passes to Dante Ridgeway -- to tieNo. 11 Pittsburgh at 14-14. But the Panthers (2-0) came out in thesecond half showing their claws, rolling up 263 yards and threetouchdowns in the third quarter to bury Ball State (1-2), going onto win 42-21.
Meanwhile, a BSU offense that had a respectable 170 yards in thefirst half moved just 10 yards on nine plays in the period.
"We had momentum," said Hill, who started at quarterback inplace of injured starter Andy Roesch. "We really had it going. Itwasn't exactly a momentum-killer, but I wish I could've keptplaying.
"It didn't really seem like (Pittsburgh's defense) did anythingdifferent," Hill said. "They made some good plays, but there weresome throws I've got to make."
The Panthers wasted little time after receiving the second-halfkickoff, moving 74 yards in six plays, with Rod Rutherford's27-yard pass to Princell Brockenbrough capping the drive. Pittwould then force three straight three-and-outs by the Cardinaloffense, following each stop with a touchdown drive. The last onecame on Brandon Miree's 7-yard run on the first play of thefourth.
For Ball State head coach Brady Hoke, it was an example of histeam not playing with enough consistency.
"We've had this problem, and we're addressing it, when we startthe third," Hoke said. "We need to play 60 minutes. Until we dothat, we can't be the team we want to be."
After the teams traded missed field goal attempts in the first,Pittsburgh moved ahead in the second period. Rutherford lofted apretty 37-yard touchdown to Larry Fitzgerald, and Miree capped ashort 44-yard drive with a 24-yard run.
Ball State responded after the second score, driving 80 yards innine snaps. On first-and-goal from the Pittsburgh 10, Hillscrambled to his right and found Ridgeway in the end zone. Thefirst of Brian Jackson's three extra points cut the deficit to 14-7with 3:23 left.
The Cardinal defense forced a three-and-out, and Ryan Hahajreturned the punt 11 yards to the Pittsburgh 46. A personal foul onPittsburgh gave BSU a first down at the 22. On third-and-6, Hillgot the Panther cornerback to bite on a pump fake, leaving Ridgeway(eight catches, 94 yards) free for an easy 18-yard touchdown.
The second-quarter comeback was among the positives that Hokedrew from an otherwise dreary outcome.
"There were a couple positives," he said. "I thought our kidsbattled hard. We did run the ball better. (Charles) Wynn hit theholes hard, and we were better at the point of attack. I thought(offensive coordinator) Don (Treadwell) and his staff did a greatjob mixing it up."
Hill, who finished 19-of-30 passing with 192 yards and nointerceptions, engineered a 11-play, 67-yard drive for the finaltouchdown, a 5-yard toss to Larry Bostic. Wynn was the leadingrusher with 66 yards on 17 carries, both career-highs.
"Talmadge did a good job of managing the offense and taking careof the ball," Hoke said He stepped up like a fifth-year seniorshould."
Rutherford completed 19 of 31 attempts for 285 yards and threescores. He also rushed for 47 yards. Fitzgerald had seven catchesfor 124 yards and a pair of TDs. Miree (15 carries, 73 yards)scored three times.
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