After two weeks of improved defensive play, Ball State University struggled once again by allowing 457 yards of offense in a 41-27 loss to Western Michigan University.
Broncos' quarterback Ryan Cubit and running back Mark Bonds provided most of the damage. Cubit completed 20-of-24 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns, while Bonds ran for 132 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive end Cortlan Booker said the team's inability to stop the run caused the biggest problem for the Cardinals.
"It all comes down to that because if you're stopping the run, they can't get a lot of third and short [situations]," Booker said. "We need to stop the run on first and second down and get geared up for a good pass rush on third down."
Ball State quarterback Joey Lynch tossed three touchdown passes in relief of Nate Davis, who threw three interceptions in a little more than a quarter of action.
"You throw three picks and you got to switch," Ball State coach Brady Hoke said. "I think he's hit a wall right now and we got to get him through it. And he'll fight through it."
Although Lynch threw for 290 yards, he was under constant pressure all day. The Broncos' defense, ranked 10th in the nation in total defense, recorded nine sacks. Western Michigan's Ameer Ismail tied an NCAA record with six sacks and returned a Davis interception for a touchdown.
The Broncos also came into the game leading the nation in turnover ratio.
"They've been doing that to everyone all year," Hoke said. "They got a good scheme. We got to get rid of the football. When you can't run the ball, it's pretty easy to stack up against you."
Ball State running backs combined for 67 yards on the ground. Corey McGee, making his first start of the season, led the way with 22 yards on seven carries.
"From what I saw, we didn't do anything [on the offensive line]," Hoke said.
Lynch, seeing his first significant action since the North Dakota State University game, threw two first-half touchdown passes to Darius Hill.
"It's always fun to play," Lynch said. "As a competitor you want to be out there with your teammates. When you lose, it's no fun. It's definitely a team loss today."
Ball State took an early 3-0 lead on a Brian Jackson field goal to cap-off a 60- yard offensive drive.
Western Michigan then scored the next three touchdowns, two on Cubit touchdown passes and Ismail's interception return.
Jackson's second field goal of the game at the end of the first half closed Western's lead to 28-20.
Western Michigan scored on its first possession of the second half when Bonds ran it in from six yards out. Two Nate Meyer field goals increased the Broncos' lead to 41-20 before Lynch's final touchdown pass.
On a 4th-and-goal play from the Ball State 34-yard line, Lynch heaved the ball toward the end zone. Hill tipped it and the ball fell into the hands of Terry Moss to provide the final margin.
Booker led the way defensively for the Cardinals, tallying 10 tackles. Erik Keys recorded eight tackles and recovered two fumbles. Wendell Brown and Spain Cosby were each credited with a forced fumble.
Moss led all receivers with 90 yards and a touchdown. Love had three catches for 75 yards and Hill tallied 34 yards to go along with his two scores.
Freshmen Eulas Taylor and Brandon Houston, arrested Oct. 13 on charges of burglary and possession of stolen property, are still indefinitely suspended from the football team. Hoke said he didn't know what would happen next with the two.
Ball State's next game is 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 at Miami University.
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
