FOOTBALL: Anatomy of a Play: Western Michigan

Leading Western Michigan 38-35, Ball State was clinging to what had once been a three touchdown advantage. With the Broncos sitting on the Cardinals 12-yard line, Zach Terrell completes a short pass to Daniel Braverman that turns into Western Michigan’s first lead of the game.

“The kids kept fighting, and we’re all hurting right now,” Ball State head coach Pete Lembo said. “It was a better day offensively, and we threw the ball better today than we have all year. But we’re not there yet.”

Western Michigan would hold on and win by a final score of 42-38.

1. Trailing 38-35, with 1:33 left in the fourth quarter, Western Michigan has the ball on the left hash on Ball State’s 12-yard line. Quarterback Zach Terrell is in the shotgun, with running back Jarvion Franklin lined up to his left. Three wide receivers split to the right, with Daniel Braverman the closest in the slot.

2. Ball State has four defensive linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs. Cornerback Eric Patterson is lined up at the line of scrimmage. Safety Gilbert Stlouis is on the same side of the field as Patterson, nine yards off the ball at the three-yard line. Linebacker Zach Ryan is lined up on the eight-yard line.

3. Before the snap, Braverman starts in motion to the left side of the field. He crosses behind center just as the ball is snapped to Terrell. Terrell fakes the handoff to Franklin and starts to run to his left.

4. He throws the ball to Braverman in the flats, who only has Patterson to beat after Stlouis bites on the play action.

5. Patterson slips, and Braverman runs 12 yards to the end zone. Ryan comes across the field, but reaches Braverman as he crosses the goal line.

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