Ball State University Athletics
Football Loses 83rd Homecoming In MAC Opener Against Toledo
October 03, 2009 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State football team lost 37-30 in its Mid-American Conference opener to MAC West rival Toledo Saturday afternoon at Scheumann Stadium in its 83rd Homecoming contest.
The Cardinals drop to 0-5 on the season and 0-1 in the MAC, while the Rockets improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
"We had some chances to win the game, but we did not get it done," Ball State head coach Stan Parrish says. "We play to win, we could not stop them. We had the game won twice, but could not get it done. When you score in the final minute and execute a two point conversion, it is frustrating to not get the win. We have played hard, but we have nothing to show for it. Winning is why we are here and that is on me."
The Rockets took the early edge over the Cardinals after scoring off of their opening drive when quarterback Aaron Opelt connected on a 39-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Page with 10:21 remaining in the first quarter.
After driving down the field 62 yards, Ball State scored on of a 22-yard field goal from kicker Ian McGarvey to make the score 7-3 at the 6:40 mark of the first stanza.
With 32 seconds remaining in the first quarter McGarvey hit a 47-yard field goal to make it a 7-6 ball game.
Ball State took its first lead of the game 13-7 at the 6:44 mark in the second quarter when quarterback Kelly Page found wide receiver Briggs Orsbon in the endzone for a six-yard touchdown pass.
With Toledo holding a 14-13 lead at the half, Ball State was forced to punt the ball in its second possession of the third quarter, but free safety Kyle Kuntz recovered a Toledo muff on the 43-yard line for his first career fumble recovery. McGarvey would captialize offensively for Ball State with a 25-yard field goal with 2:59 remaining in the third quarter giving Ball State the 16-14 advantage.
Defensive back Charlie Todd intercepted the ball just under the nine minute mark in the fourth quarter and returned it 57-yards for the Cardinals. It was Todd's first interception of the the season. MiQuale Lewis' two-yard touchdown run at the 8:34 mark would put Ball State up 22-14. McGarvey missed the extra point, snapping his school record streak at 81.
Toledo quickly answered back and with 6:18 to play the Rockets scored on a 51-yard pass from Opelt to wide receiver Stephen Williams, making the score 22-20. Toledo would tie the game after a two-point conversion pass to Williams tied the game 22-22.
The Rockets would score quickly after Opelt hit Burzine for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 3:45 remaining in the contest giving Toledo a 29-22 lead.
Ball State orchestrated a 10-play, 66-yard drive in 2:52 that resulted in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Page to wide receiver Torieal Gibson with 42 seconds left in the contest, making the score UT 29, Ball State 28.
The Cardinals elected to go for the two-point conversion and the lead, and Lewis answered the call and rushed around the left end to give Ball State a 30-29 with 42 seconds remaining.
But 15 seconds later, Toledo would score off of a 51-yard touchdown pass from Opelt to Williams and complete the two-point conversion to win the ball game, 37-30.
