Ball State University
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Western Michigan
Western Mich. 41, BSU 27
October 21, 2006 | Football
The Ball State football team lost 41-27 to Western Michigan Saturday at Scheumann Stadium.
After taking a 28-20 lead into halftime, Western Michigan set the tone for the rest of the game on the first drive of the second half. The Broncos went 73 yards in seven plays, and Mark Bonds ran into the end zone from six yards out as the Broncos extended their lead to 35-20.
"The first drive of the second half is the frustrating one," Ball State coach Brady Hoke said. "You've got to be able to stop the run and be able to run the ball. They're a physical team, and they were more physical than us."
Joey Lynch led the Cardinals' offensive attack with 290 yards passing and three touchdown strikes.
Bonds finished with 141 yards on 30 carries for Western Michigan, and quarterback Ryan Cubit completed 20-of-24 passes for 291 yards and three scores. Ameer Ismail led the Broncos' defense with six sacks, 13 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown.
"In this league, it's hard to win on the road every week," Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit said. "You take any win you can get on the road."
After falling behind 21-3 early in the second quarter, Ball State closed the gap when Lynch hooked up with tight end Darius Hill on two short touchdown passes that cut the Western Michigan lead to 21-17.
A Bronco touchdown pass from Cubit to Brandon Ledbetter followed by a Cardinals' field goal from Brian Jackson sent Ball State into halftime trailing 28-20.
After its touchdown on the opening drive of the second half, Western Michigan added two field goals to take a 41-20 lead before Lynch hit Terry Moss on a 34-yard touchdown pass with 2:44 left for the final score of the day.
Moss led the Cardinals in receiving with five catches for 90 yards and the one touchdown. Larry Bostic, B.J. Hill and Darius Hill each finished with four catches for Ball State.
"Terry has been playing well," Hoke said. "He and Erik Keys are two seniors who have been playing really good football."
Keys, a strong safety, had two fumble recoveries in the game to lead the Ball State defensive effort.
The Cardinals return to action Saturday, when they travel to Miami for a 1 p.m. contest with the RedHawks.
