MUNCIE, Ind. ? Ball State led late in Thursday night's season-opening football game against Miami, but the RedHawks rallied to score in the final minute and escape Muncie with a 14-13 victory.
More than 15,000 fans, including a Ball State record 7,885 students packed the stands for the Mid-American Conference opener on opening night at the newly renovated Scheumann Stadium.
“The students were awesome tonight, and we could hear them behind us,” Ball State coach Brady Hoke said. “It was incredible to have that kind of support. Hopefully, after the three-week road trip, they will come back out.”
Cardinal quarterback Nate Davis completed 19-of-36 passes for 198 yards and one touchdown in the loss. On the touchdown play, Davis hooked up with Dante Love, who led Ball State in receiving with a game-high eight catches and 80 yards.
The Davis to Love 23-yard touchdown connection ? coming at the 11:22 mark of the fourth quarter ? gave Ball State its first lead since the first half. Jake Hogue's extra point put the Cardinals on top 13-7.
Hogue, a freshman playing in his first collegiate game, also connected on field goals of 20 and 23 yards for Ball State (0-1, 0-1 MAC).
Miami (1-0, 1-0 MAC) threatened to score on its next possession, driving 69 yards in seven minutes before Ball State cornerback B.J. Hill intercepted a tipped pass in the end zone to momentarily preserve the Cardinal lead. It was the first career interception for Hill, who moved from running back to cornerback for the 2007 season.
Following the turnover, though, Ball State was unable to pick up a first down and had to punt the ball back to Miami. The RedHawks' Eugene Harris returned a 50-yard Chris Miller punt 56 yards to the Ball State 23-yard line, putting Miami in prime scoring position.
Five plays later, with 17 seconds remaining, Miami running back Brandon Murphy found the end zone from six yards out to tie the game. Murphy finished as the game's leading rusher with 131 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Trevor Cook's extra point put the RedHawks ahead by one.
Ball State had one last opportunity, but two incomplete passes ended the Cardinals' chances for a victory.
“It was a hard-fought game on both sides,” Hoke said. “They did what they had to do to win, and we didn't. We have to do a better job of executing and getting the job done.”
Ball State out-gained Miami 338 total yards to 296, and the Cardinals won the turnover battle 2-0. Linebacker Bryant Haines led the Ball State defense with nine tackles, and defensive end Cortlan Booker logged career-highs with two sacks and three tackles-for-loss. Trey Lewis recorded Ball State's first takeaway on a first quarter interception.
Running back MiQuale Lewis led the Ball State rushing attack with 97 yards on 25 carries. In addition to his pass catching, Love added 28 rushing yards on three carries.
Ball State returns to action Saturday, Sept. 8, at 3 p.m. when the Cardinals travel to Ypsilanti, Mich., to take on Eastern Michigan. The Cardinals play three consecutive games on the road before returning to Muncie for a Family Weekend contest Sept. 29 against Buffalo.
