Final: 42-24
First Quarter
A week after clubbing Western Michigan University, Ball State picked up right where it left off to score a touchdown off its opening drive again the University of Akron.
Senior quarterback Keith Wenning hit junior wide receiver Willie Snead for a 12-yard touchdown. Akron returned with a 51-yard field goal with the wind to make the score 7-3.
Ball State, with the advantage of three Akron penalties, marched down the field again as Snead caught a highlight-reel, one-hand touchdown pass to extend Ball State’s lead to 14-3.
Both teams traded punts to end the first quarter.
Second Quarter
To begin the second quarter, senior quarterback Keith Wenning was sacked in the pocket. His next pass was incomplete, which forced a punt. On the punt, the University of Akron was called for a roughing the kicker penalty, but Ball State declined it and Akron’s next drive ended in a punt of its own.
Both teams traded punts before Jawon Chisholm broke off a 65-yard touchdown run to narrow the lead to four points. Ball State returned the next kickoff to the 43-yard line. The Cardinals wasted little time as junior running back Jahwan Edwards pounded the ball in from the 3-yard line for another touchdown.
Following another Akron punt, Ball State marched the ball down and Wenning hit sophomore Jordan Williams for another touchdown. Jeff Garrett picked off Akron’s quarterback as the first half ended with Ball State holding a 28-10 lead.
Third Quarter
The University of Akron’s first drive of the second half ended with a turnover-on-downs as the Zips went for it on fourth and one. Jawon Chisholm was stopped short of the marker. However, Ball State couldn’t capitalize as Kyle Schmidt had to punt it away.
On the next drive, it took Akron four plays to get into the end zone on a 15-yard run by sophomore quarterback Kyle Pohl. Ball State responded with a 20-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Keith Wenning to sophomore wide receiver Jordan Williams, and the Cardinals extended the lead to 35-17.
Fourth Quarter
After a Ball State punt, the University of Akron marched down the field, ending its nine-play, 53-yard drive with a touchdown.
Ball State recovered as senior Jamill Smith caught an end-around, then passed a 37-yarder to Willie Snead. Smith finished the drive with a touchdown catch.
Akron’s comeback fell short as Ball State moved to 8-1 on the season.
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