Third quarter update
Ball State’s first drive of the second half was a three and out, and Miami wasn’t ready to call it a game just yet.
RedHawks quarterback Drew Kummer rolled out and flung a pass deep downfield to Dawan Scott, who fought off two defenders to score from 58-yards. The score was Miami’s first of the game and cut Ball State’s lead to 35-7 early in the quarter.
Ball State’s offense came out following the touchdown with less conservative play calling, as Keith Wenning hit Jamill Smith for a 50-yard gain to the Miami 19-yard line. Ball State stalled inside the red zone and settled for a Scott Secor 27-yard field goal.
The defense struggled to stop Miami’s offense again as Kummer picked up a fourth down conversion with a 20-yard pass to Alvonta Jenkins.
Austin Gearing finished off the drive for Miami, punching it in on a 3-yard run on 4th and goal to cut into Ball State’s lead again. The touchdown cut Ball State’s lead to 38-14.
Running back Teddy Williamson got lots of work in the quarter for Ball State. The freshman got nine carries on the drive, including his first career touchdown on a 1-yard run.
Williamson’s touchdown put Ball State’s lead at 45-14 late in the third quarter.
Second quarter update
Miami quarterback Austin Gearing was picked off just the second play into the second quarter by Martez Hester at the Ball State 10-yard line.
Gearing’s pass was lobbed and under thrown – dangerous for a quarterback – and Hester came up with his second interception of the season.
Ball State quickly got out of its own territory after three straight completions from Keith Wenning to Willie Snead that went for gains of 7, 22 and 30 yards, respectively. The 90-yard drive was finished off with Wenning finding Snead in the corner of the end zone for the 14-yard touchdown pass.
The score was Wenning’s 30th touchdown pass of the season, tying the school record for touchdown passes in a season set by Nate Davis in 2007.
The Cardinals extended its lead to 14-0 after the touchdown.
Both Ball State and Miami traded three and outs on the next three drives.
After Miami’s second punt, Ball State’s offense moved effectively as Jamill Smith accounted for 31 receiving yards and a 10-yard touchdown catch. Ball State took a 21-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
The touchdown pass gave Wenning the school record for passing touchdowns in a season and broke the school record for passing yards in a season. Both records were previously held by Davis.
Miami didn’t help itself any as J.J. Greenwood fumbled the kickoff return, which was recovered by Jeff Garrett at the RedHawks 45-yard line.
The Cardinals capitalized on the turnover as Wenning threw his third touchdown pass to Smith and fifth for the game.
Snead also broke the Ball State single season record for receiving yards in a season on the drive.
Ball State took a 35-0 lead into halftime.
First Quarter update
Donning its black uniforms on Black Friday, Ball State easily marched down field on its opening drive and scored on a 10-yard pass from quarterback Keith Wenning to wide receiver Jamill Smith.
The seniors connected for the Smith’s 6th touchdown of the season to give Ball State and early 7-0 lead over Miami.
The RedHawks fared better on its second driving by moving the ball via the ground game. Quarterback Austin Gearing used a number of misdirections and read options to move the ball inside Ball State territory.
But after a combo sack by Kenny Lee and Brian Jones, Miami elected to attempt a 56-yard field goal that was missed badly.
After a rare drop by Willie Snead, Smith fumbled after being hit during a catch and run. The RedHawks took over at their own 38-yard line.
Gearing took a shot while throwing from Jones on the following drive, which gave way to back up Drew Kummer. The drive stalled once Kummer entered after a run for no gain and two incomplete passes.
Ball State was pinned inside its own 5-yard line following the punt and a illegal motion penalty forced Kyle Schmidt to punt out of his own end zone as the quarter ended.
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