Even in some losses, Ball State was better moving the ball or stopping the run than on Saturday.
But against winless Central Florida, the Cardinals scrapped together enough good plays on both sides of the ball to snap a five-game losing streak with a 21-17 victory in front of home-finale crowd of 5,309.
Joey Lynch connected with Dante Ridgeway for a 38-yard touchdown to give BSU the lead with 7:29 remaining in the game. The Cards then made two defensive stops to secure their second victory against eight defeats (2-5 Mid-American Conference).
"Really it was an ugly football game in some respects on both sides of the ball," head coach Brady Hoke said. "I thought we responded and got some big plays in the fourth quarter. We'll take a win any time, any way, any shape or form and be happy with that win."
Ball State's defense was ugly early on, but stiffened after the go-ahead score.
Central Florida moved 29 yards before having to punt, regained possession with 2:37 to go and had three incompletions sandwiched around Vincent Davis' second sack.
"It feels great; it's been too long," said safety Justin Beriault, who recorded nine tackles in his final home game. "It's not what we expected, but I'm proud of the guys. They hung in there.
"I think we've played our best games the last three games. A lot of that is the younger guys getting the the experience they need. Hopefully they can get use to doing this."
Central Florida (0-10, 0-7) nullified a touchdown with a holding penalty on its first drive before relinquishing the ball on downs. The Knights made good on their next drive, though, when Moffett's TD sneak capped a seven-play, 70-yard drive at the 6:15 mark in the first.
Haynes finished with 140 yards. The Knights who had averaged just 89 yards on the ground, gained 196 on the Cards.
"They ran the ball too well on us," Hoke said. "But as beat up as we are on the defensive line, I expected them to have some opportunities."
The defense came up big late in the quarter, though, when a blitzing Erik Keys sacked Moffett, and Blair Kramer recovered the resulting fumble. On the next play Lynch found Ridgeway for a 13-yard touchdown.
A Lynch interception ended a scoring threat in the second, but BSU regained possession at the UCF 45. Charles Wynn ripped off a 39-yard touchdown to the 6, setting up his 9-yard score around left end two plays later.
Moffett's 35-yard TD toss to Luther Huggins gave UCF the lead with 13:31 to go in the fourth.
By then Ball State had inserted freshman Cole Stinson had quarterback, hoping for an offensive spark, but the Cards punted twice and Lynch came back in.
"Offensively, we didn't get much going," said Lynch, who finished 10-of-14 passing for 106 yards. "It was getting to that point late in the game where we needed to make a play, and we were able to do that."
First, Wynn carried three times for a first down. Lynch then hit Ridgeway for 26 yards to the UCF 38, setting up the final score.
Ridgeway said the touchdown was one of the few times he faced man-to-man coverage.
"It was a double move," Ridgeway said. "It was man to man, and Joey made a great touch pass."
"The corner didn't bite like we wanted him to, but Dante had a step on him," Lynch said. "I threw it up there and it felt good."
Ridgeway, the nation's leading receiver, had just three catches prior to that drive. He finished with five for 81 yards, breaking his six-game streak of 100-plus yards receiving.
Wynn and senior Scott Blair, subbing for suspended starter Adell Givens at tailback, combined for 122 yards rushing.
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