The Ball State University defense gave up 535 yards of offense to North Dakota State University, as the Bison came from behind for a 29-24 win.
"We thoroughly got out-coached, out-played, out-toughed, out-efforted, out-everything and that's my fault," Ball State coach Brady Hoke said. "I did a crappy job preparing this team."
NDSU quarterback Steve Walker sliced up the Ball State secondary for a career-high 451 yards.
"I don't think there was [a pass defense] tonight," Hoke said. "I don't really have much to talk about.
"We pressured him at times," Hoke continued, "but when we played zone and some things like that, we need to do a better job of coaching the kids."
North Dakota State took the lead with 1:25 to go in the fourth quarter. Ball State came on an all-out blitz and Walker hit Travis White on a quick slant and White took it 39 yards for the touchdown.
Ball State defensive back Erik Keys said the secondary would need to find itself after giving up more than 450 yards passing for the second straight game.
"We got to get our confidence back because that's a big blow, especially to the defensive backs," he said. "This team was basically a major run team. It's ridiculous to give up that many yards."
Nate Davis, who played most of the fourth quarter, was the quarterback on Ball State's final possession. Davis got a first down rushing on the first play, but was unable to generate anything else.
"Nate gave us a better chance to win," Hoke said. "We thought, with the ball down the field, there wasn't much time left and he can throw the ball a little deeper better."
Lynch said he just wants the team to win and keep the program going in the right direction.
"Anytime as a competitor, you want to be out there," he said. "As I've said before, the coach has been around a lot longer than I have. If they felt like Nate gave us the best chance to win, then so be it."
Once again, Ball State was unable to establish the running game. NDSU's run defense was superb, holding the Cardinals to 14 yards net on 24 carries.
"I attribute it to them doing a great job of getting up the field," Hoke said. "I also attribute it to us not blocking anybody. We got manhandled."
B.J. Hill led the Cardinals with 21 yards rushing on six carries.
The Bison found some luck right before the half. With just a few seconds remaining, the Bison lined up for a 51-yard field goal into the wind. The field goal attempt was well short, but the play was blown dead because of a delay of game penalty.
North Dakota State then threw up a hail mary. The pass was tipped in the end zone by White and into Kole Heckendorf's hands for a 39-yard touchdown pass.
"Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good," North Dakota State coach Craig Bohl said. "It was kind of like some divine intervention there."
Ball State got on the board first with a one-yard touchdown run from B.J. Hill after a Heckendorfer fumble.
The Ball State offense relied on big plays to set up the rest of its scores. In the second quarter, Lynch hit Dante Love streaking down the sideline for a 70-yard touchdown pass.
In the third quarter, Terry Moss got behind the secondary once again and caught an 81-yard touchdown pass from Davis to extend Ball State's lead to 24-16.
Lynch finished 13-of-21 for 262 yards and a touchdown. Davis finished 5-of-11 for 123 yards and a score.
Leading the Cardinals in receptions, Love caught five balls for 116 yards and a touchdown. Darius Hill also nabbed four catches for 108 yards.
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