ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Ball State started the second quarter looking like a completely different offense from the first quarter.
Going the first quarter without completing a pass, Wenning opened the second quarter by completing all six passes on the first drive of the second quarter. His sixth completed pass was to wide receiver Willie Snead for a seven-yard touchdown.
The touchdown put Ball State back in the ball game and cut Central Florida's lead to 13-7.
Central Florida got back to moving downfield after getting the ball back. The offense was also helped by a pass interference call on Tampa, Fla. native Eric Patterson.
Quarterback Blake Bortles scrambled for a six-yard touchdown run, fighting for the the final two yards to the end zone. The Knights converted the two point conversion to go up 21-7 with 5:50 left in the first half.
Ball State responded by moving down the field and getting into Central Florida territory. The Cardinals couldn't get any points after getting to the Knights' seven-yard line as kicker Steven Schott missed a 35-yard field goal wide left.
The missed field goal was a missed opportunity for Ball State to make it a one possession game going into halftime. And Central Florida would take advantage of Ball State's miss and would score another touchdown before the half to take a commanding lead into halftime.
Score: Central Florida 21, Ball State 7
Ball State trailing 28-7 to Central Florida
Knights score late touchdown just before halftime
Central Florida Quarterback Blake Bortles scores a touchdown after running the ball at the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl in St. Petersburg, Florida on Dec. 21. The score leading into the half is 28-17 DN PHOTO COREY OHLENKAMP
