AUBURN, Ala. - An offensive onslaught followed a tropical downpour Saturday night and Ball State University fell to Auburn University 54-30.
The loss dropped the Cardinals to 0-4, their worst start since 2005, when they also were winless in the first four games. But the loss was still an improvement, especially for the offense.
Ball State set a season high in points and was 10 times the total from their two previous trips to Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Cardinals were shutout 30-0 in 2001 and lost 63-3 in 2005.
"We had a lot of energy," coach Stan Parrish said. "Offensively we were able to sustain that energy."
The Cardinals got the start to the game they wanted when safety Kyle Hoke recovered a muffed punt, giving the visitors the ball on the Tigers' 18 yard line.
Running back MiQuale Lewis completed the short drive with a two-yard run, putting Ball State in the lead 7-0.
Ball State held that lead for almost 10 minutes, before Auburn responded. Quarterback Chris Todd threw a touchdown pass to tight end Tommy Trott with less than three minutes to play in the first quarter. That started a run of 30 unanswered points for the Tigers.
Auburn's offense wasn't the only thing late arriving Saturday night. The game was delayed 24 minutes because of inclement weather. It poured about two hours before game time, leaving the field in soggy shape. It would resume raining intermittently throughout the game, but not as heavily.
The Tigers' track meet wasn't slowed down by the wet field. The hosts used big plays to pull away to their big halftime lead of 30-10. Todd had two long connections with wide receiver Terrell Zachary for touchdowns, and Ball State gave up a safety for the second time this season.
"They've got a lot of speed," Parrish said. "But should they make those plays? Heck, no."
The big plays would continue to haunt the Cardinals. Six Auburn plays went for more than 20 yards, including five touchdowns. Even backup quarterback Neil Caudle got in on the act, running for a 52-yard touchdown in mop up duty.
"They're great players," defensive lineman Drew Duffin said. "We weren't fundamentally sound tonight. But they made those plays, so hats off to them."
Ball State's offense was slightly more methodical. Parrish used three running backs all night and the Cardinals gained 146 yards on the ground. Freshman Eric Williams led the attack with 59 yards.
"I'm delighted," Parrish said. "He's a very, very talented freshman back. A big back too."
Turnovers again hurt the Cardinals. Despite not throwing an interception for the first time all season, Ball State failed to take care of the ball. They lost two fumbles and Auburn made Ball State pay each time.
Quarterback Kelly Page was sacked and fumbled in the second quarter.
"Turnovers kill you," Page said. "It kills the momentum and you can't have turnovers."
The second came after Page connected with tight end Zane Fakes to convert on fourth down in the second quarter. The play was ruled a fumble on the field and a review upheld the call, though it was difficult to determine if Fakes was down.
Parrish wasn't thrilled with the referees, bringing their play up before backing off the statement.
"The referees, boy I'll tell you what that first half - no comment. That's what the league commissioner said, no comment, coach Parrish."
But poor officiating or not, the Cardinals said they are happy to be heading into conference play on a better note.
"This is a great opportunity for us to play such a great team like this," Duffin said. "It gets us a jump for MAC play."
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