Numerous times, Ball State had the opportunity to break intoBoston College's bank, and every time it came out with either toolittle cash or none at all.
When it came time to pay, the Cardinals were a few bucks short.The BSU offense managed just 211 yards against a stingy BostonCollege defense, and the Cards upset bid was foiled, 19-11, infront of a stadium-record crowd of 23,718.
"Offensively, we had some opportunities and we didn'tcapitalize," sophomore quarterback Joey Lynch said. "When you playa BCS team, any team, you have to score touchdowns."
But three trips inside the BC 20 yielded just three first-halffield goals. In the second half, Ball State's offense took over inthe Eagles' territory three times and produced no points.
Finally, with one last shot, Lynch was stopped short on afourth-and-inches sneak at the Ball State 29. The Eagles burned thelast 1:41 off the clock and escaped Muncie with the season-openingwin.
"Hell, we've got to make a daggone fourth-and-inches," headcoach Brady Hoke said. "That gives us a chance to go intotwo-minute mode, and who knows what can happen then.
"Special teams hurt us," Hoke said. "Them returning the kickoffchanged the momentum of the game."
That kick return by Will Blackmon went for 96 yards and atouchdown, giving Boston College the advantage for good with1:46left in the second quarter.
Earlier, Blackmon had a punt return score nullified by apenalty. This time, he got upfield quickly through a gaping hole,easily hurdled kicker Brian Jackson and eluded safety man TerryMoss.
"One guy didn't down as quick as he should, and he got blocked,"Hoke said of the hole in coverage.
Ball State had just taken an 8-6 lead when Jackson booted hissecond field goal, a 29-yarder. Backup safety David Gater set upthe score with his interception and 37-yard return to the BC19.
The Cardinals' defense and special teams were responsible forthe first score. The Eagles went three-and-out on their firstseries and punted from the 10. Punter Johnny Ayers fumbled the snapand was then flagged for intentional grounding, giving Ball State asafety.
After the free kick, Lynch moved his team to the 11 before apersonal foul penalty stalled the drive. Jackson's 39-yard fieldgoal made it 5-0.
Jackson's third field goal was a 26-yarder to end the firsthalf, after Lynch guided a two-minute drill to the nine.
Thanks to punter Reggie Hodges, who dropped six of his 10 puntsat the 6-yard line or closer, Ball State had a field positionadvantage for most of the game.
But unlike the Cardinals, Boston College cashed in on their twosustained drives. In the first quarter, Paul Peterson bootlegged tothe right and found tight end Chris Miller for a 16-yard score,making it 6-5.
On their first drive of the third, the Eagles marched 79 yardson nine plays, the last one a 5-yard TD jaunt by L.V.Whitworth.
Whitworth gouged the BSU defense for 129 yards, as the Eaglesrushed for 205 yards. Peterson passed for 135.
Lynch, making his first collegiate start, completed 19-of-32passes for 147 yards. The Cards did not commit a turnover.
They did force two, however. The second one came in the fourth,when Eric Keys forced a Whitworth fumble and freshman linebackerWendell Brown recovered at the BC 29.
But Indianapolis native Mathias Kiwanuka sacked Lynch for asecond time, ending that threat.
Kiwanuka and Blackmon were particularly sharp thorns for the BSUoffense. Four of Kiwanuka's tackles went for losses, and cornerbackBlackmon had a team-high eight tackles.
While the game was decidedly more competitive than BostonCollege's 53-29 win at home last year, the better showing was noconsolation for Ball State.
"We came into the game fully expecting to win," Lynch said. "Itjust didn't happen."
Lynch and senior safety Justin Beriault, who notched a game-high14 tackles, agreed that there are no moral victories to draw.
"We had the confidence, and I think everybody thought we weregoing to win," Beriault said. "That's what makes it sodisappointing."
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
