The second half of Ball State's first game of the season against Southeast Missouri State started much the same way the first half did.
The Cardinals marched down the field, led by their rushing attack for a touchdown. Eric Williams finished off the 51-yard drive with a one-yard run for the score. The score gave Ball State a seven-point lead, which would set the tone for the rest of the quarter.
After Cory Sykes' second touchdown run of the game and a 29-yard field goal by Ian McGarvey, Ball State took a 24-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals' defense remained strong in the third quarter, forcing a key fumble in the Redhawks' territory. Defensive end Robert Eddins was the lucky Cardinal who had the ball fall into his grasp.
Ball State took advantage of its good field position to extend its lead with Sykes' touchdown.
The quarter also featured two fourth-down conversions for the Cardinals. The second came on a fourth-and-two when quarterback Kelly Page found Aaron Mershman, his former backup, in the flat for an eight-yard gain. Four plays later, Sykes was back in the end zone giving Ball State a 14-point lead.
Sykes finished the third quarter with 60 yards rushing on 12 attempts. Williams has 16 carries for 72 yards.
Continue to follow Ball State's first game of the season against Southeast Missouri State on bsudailynews.com.
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