The nation's worst offense looked like a juggernaut, due inlarge part to a new quarterback's connection with along-established receiver.
Cole Stinson threw for 294 yards on 17-of-31 passing, DanteRidgeway set a career-high with 217 yards on nine catches, and BallState (1-3) trampled Western Michigan (1-3) in the fourth quarterfor a 41-14 win. The two hooked up three times for touchdowns inthe Mid-American Conference opener for both teams.
The Cardinals defense also stepped up, allowing just 89 yardsrushing and 298 overall in the team's first win in eight games.
"We came out and played with a lot spirit, heart and energy,"said head coach Brady Hoke, whose team won for the first time eightgames. "Defensively, I thought we played fast, and when you playfast, you have a chance to be successful."
The biggest pass came when momentum was sliding in Western'sfavor. The Broncos pulled within 20-14 when Greg Jennings turnedRyan Cubit's third-and-one slant pass into a 34-yard touchdown,late into the third quarter. Western then stopped Ball State at the12 on the ensuing kickoff.
But freshman Adell Givens carried twice for 19 yards. On thefirst play of the fourth quarter, Stinson drifted back on playaction, then fired a gorgeous strike deep to Ridgeway, who caughtthe ball in stride, shed a Western defender, and galloped in for a69-yard touchdown.
The clock still showed 14:50, but the Broncos were effectivelyfinished.
However, Ball State wasn't, as Stinson added a 6-yard score toRidgeway and Charles Wynn plowed in from two yards out afterdefensive stops.
Stinson replaced Joey Lynch in the first quarter after theCardinals first two possessions netted -3 yards. He proceeded tostretch the field with the passing game the Cards rarely sniffed intheir first three games.
"I was just going to get the ball to where my athletes were andlet them make plays," Stinson said. "My teammates did a great jobhelping me focus on getting the job done. I didn't have much tothink about.
"I had all day - as much time as I needed."
Hoke said the staff had planned to enter Stinson on the thirdseries, but the freshman played too well to ever exit. Hoke said hewould decide Sunday or Monday who will start at Toledo onSaturday.
"(Stinson) did a nice job for his first whole college game,"Hoke said. "He had a lot of help out there."
Brian Jackson's 30-yard field goal at the 1:48 mark in theopening period put BSU on the board first. Scott Blair's 11-yardtouchdown run early in the second made it 10-0.
After Western pulled within 10-7, Stinson fired back with a44-yard pass to Ridgeway, who made a twisting, over-the-shouldercatch.
Ridgeway's 217 yards represented a career-best and thefourth-highest figure in school history.
The junior also snared a 25-yard halfback pass from Charles Wynnthat set up a Jackson field goal in the third period.
Blair rushed for 65 yards and Wynn 63 as the Cards rushed for aseason-best 158.
"With the offensive line blocking like it was, it made our job alot easier," Blair said.
"Our goal was starting the Mid-American Conference season offright, and it feels good that we did it and did it in convincingfashion."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
