After developing a reputation during the past two seasons for playing in close games against teams from power conferences, the Ball State University football program took a step backwards Saturday at Indiana University.
The Hoosiers led by double digits for most of the second half and beat Ball State 38-20.
Cardinals' receiver Dante Love, who finished with a career-high 14 receptions and 177 receiving yards, said it was a frustrating loss for the entire team.
"It's very disappointing," Love said after pausing a couple seconds. "Indiana was a good team, but we just didn't capitalize."
Despite three first-half takeaways, Ball State trailed 24-10 at the break. The Cardinals produced a field goal and touchdown on the Hoosiers' first two turnovers. Ball State was forced to punt after the Hoosiers' third turnover of the opening half.
Ball State coach Brady Hoke said his team's inability to take advantage of opportunities played a large factor in Saturday's game.
"Our kids were playing hard, we just didn't play well enough to beat a Big Ten team," Hoke said. "I thought there were some opportunities make some plays, and you get some momentum if you make those plays."
Ball State drove 80 yards to open the second half with a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Nate Davis to freshman receiver Daniel Ifft. The touchdown pulled Ball State within a possession at 24-17 with more than 11 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
However, Indiana responded with a 59-yard drive that culminated with a four-yard touchdown pass from Lewis to receiver James Hardy, pushing the Hoosiers' lead to 14 points with 8:13 left in the third quarter. That's the closest Ball State would get the rest of the game.
"We talked at halftime about how they were going to make a run because they're too good of a football team," Indiana coach Bill Lynch said. "When they did it right away in the second half, it was really important to respond immediately. A two-touchdown lead is a lot different than a one-touchdown lead with the mind set of the team."
The Hoosiers' defensive line pressured the sophomore on almost every pass attempt. Davis finished with 332 passing yards, but completed 26-of-48 with a single touchdown pass and two interceptions.
Davis was sacked four times last week against the University of Illinois, but he said the Hoosiers' pass rush, which got to Davis for two sacks, was the most disruptive of the season.
"They were doing a lot of twisting," Davis said of Indiana's defensive line. "I like to stay in the pocket, but that forced me outside of the pocket. When I get outside of the pocket, that messes the offense up because we like to throw to the middle of the field."
Ball State has been stuck on five wins for the last two weeks and is looking to go to its first bowl game since 1996. Senior safety Eddie Burk, who had eight tackles and recovered a fumble against the Hoosiers, said the number one goal for the team is to get its sixth win and become bowl eligible.
"We know we have the opportunity to do something that hasn't been done in a while," Burk said. "It would be nice to do something good for the Ball State football program."
Pass defenseBall State has allowed three opposing quarterbacks to pass for at least 300 yards this season.
- Sam Keller, Neb. 438
- Dan LeFevour, CMU 360
- Kellen Lewis, IU 354
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