FOOTBALL: Ball State loses to North Texas, 34-27

The Daily News

The sun shines on Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas. Ball State is playing North Texas at the stadium 4 p.m. Saturday. DN PHOTO MATT MCKINNEY
The sun shines on Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas. Ball State is playing North Texas at the stadium 4 p.m. Saturday. DN PHOTO MATT MCKINNEY

Ball State lost to North Texas 34-27 after losing their lead in the fourth quarter. See our full story here.

Third quarter


Ball State leads 27-24.

North Texas marched right down the field for the touchdown off a 33-yard run. It cut the lead to three points after a successful two-point conversion.

Scott Secor missed a 54-yard field goal attempt to go 0-2 in kicking today. Both were long attempts.

Ball State’s defense held on the North Texas drive, but it got the ball at the 2-yard line.

Tight end Zane Fakes couldn’t make the grab over the middle on fourth down, and Ball State turned the ball over on downs.

North Texas drove down to the two-yard line before time ran out for the quarter.


Second quarter
 
Ball State has a 27-16 lead at halftime.

Ball State’s goal-line defense stayed strong in the face of three North Texas attempts to punch it in. Cardinals held the Mean Green to a 22-yard field goal.

KeVonn Mabon committed Ball State’s second fumble of the game early in the second quarter. Ball State has had trouble with North Texas taking away the ball.

Ball State’s defense held again and forced a field goal by North Texas.

Connor Ryan and Zane Fakes had a field day on the ensuing drive, but it was Willie Snead who caught the 27-yard fingertip pass for the score.

It was Snead’s second touchdown catch of the day.

North Texas was able to respond, going over 70 yards in just three plays. Brelan Chancellor caught a 25-yard touchdown over the middle.

North Texas has been trying to get Chancellor the ball early and often in the game.

Keith Wenning threw his first interception of the season, looking for Jamill Smith. The cornerback undercut Smith’s route.

Despite Ball State’s lead, the game isn’t near over. North Texas has been a second-half team this season. Then again, Ball State has also been a second-half team.

Scott Secor missed a 56-yard field goal to end the half.

 

First quarter

Ball State leads with a score of 20-3.

Ball State started out doing what it has all season – coming out strong on offense. Horactio Banks almost ran for a touchdown on a long run, but was tackled from behind. Keith Wenning completed the drive with a two-yard pass to Willie Snead for the touchdown.

The loss of cornerback Eric Patterson was felt early. North Texas quarterback Derek Thompson picked on new starter Tyree Holder early and often in the first quarter.

Jahwan Edwards’ loss wasn't felt as much in the first quarter. Banks has three carries for 121 yards, and scored on a 77-yard touchdown.

Jamill Smith’s fumble in the middle of the first quarter didn’t seem to affect the momentum of the game much. North Texas quickly went 3-and-out.

The replay showed Snead’s foot out of bounds when he fumbled inside North Texas’ 10-yard line, but it didn’t matter when Jeffery Garrett forced a fumble on the ensuing North Texas play. Safety Brian Jones picked up the ball for a Cardinals' touchdown.


Comments