MT. PLEASANT, Mich. -- Even if Ball State's Dante Ridgeway doesn't win the Biletnikoff Award, annually given to the nation's top receiver, on Dec. 9, he sure gave voters a strong final impression Saturday at Kelly-Shorts Stadium.
Ridgeway grabbed 10 passes (his sixth game in 2004 with double-digit catches) for 215 yards (his second 200-yard game this season) against Central Michigan, finishing the season with a MAC-record 105 receptions for 1,409 yards and eight touchdowns.
Saturday he hauled in a 52-yard pass and also had leaping catches of 43 and 42 yards.
However, after his team's 41-40 loss, Ridgeway better remembered the two potential over-the-shoulder TD catches he couldn't haul in. The Cards got a field goal after his third-quarter drop, but on the last play of the second Brian Jackson's kick was blocked.
"I guess we didn't make enough plays on offense," he said, "and I take the blame for that.
"We wanted to win this last game for the seniors. They were a great bunch of leaders."
Regardless of the miscues, Central Michigan coach Brian Kelly lauded Ridgeway with praise after game. Kelly said that when it comes to tracking the ball in the air, Ridgeway has no equal.
"He ate up (CMU cornerback) Ronnie Johnson most of the game," Kelly said. "At the end, we found ways to make some plays and quiet Ridgeway. We were able to double-team him and still get a four-man rush."
Ridgeway's giant game Saturday probably came as no surprise to Central fans. In three career games now against the Chippewas he has 30 catches for 475 yards and six touchdowns.
FINAL STATS -- THE GOOD AND BAD
Ball State did not commit a turnover Saturday at Central, the seventh game this season they have not turned the ball over. The Cardinals finished the season with just six turnovers -- four interceptions and two fumbles -- fewest in the country.
However, the Cardinals forced just 11 miscues -- nine turnovers and two fumbles -- from opponents. Ball State also gave up 39 sacks, including on its final offensive play of the season.
Ball State also gave up 405 points (36.8 average) on the season, topping the previous worst of 361 over in 1999.
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