Football Suffers 24-17 Setback At Army

Saturday, September 19

West Point, N.Y.

Noon

Ball State University

0-3

Army

2-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Ball State Cardinals

Army

Football Game at Purdue to be Televised on Big Ten Network

September 19, 2009 | Football

Box Score

By: Ball State Athletics

WEST POINT, NY - The Ball State University football team suffered a 24-17 loss to Army Saturday afternoon at Michie Stadium in front of 25,646 fans in the first meeting between the two teams since 1999.

"We made some mistakes you just cannot make," Ball State first-year head coach Stan Parrish says. "Army is a good football team. We played hard, we just cannot get over the hump. Our defense played well enough to win. We gave up some things, but the defense gave us a chance."

Army took the first lead of the game after marching down the field on its first possession. The Black Knights 13-play drive ended on a one-yard touchdown run by slot back Jameson Carter earning Army the 7-0 edge over the Cardinals.

The Cardinals were then forced to punt the ball, but free safety Sean Baker recovered an Army fumble on the 15-yard line for his second career fumble recovery and his first of the season. Quarterback Kelly Page would put Ball State on the board after a 15-yard run. It was Page's first rushing touchdown of his career to even the score 7-7 with 3:51 remaining in the first quarter.

Army increased its lead over Ball State 10-7 after placekicker Alex Carlton hit a career long 45-yard field goal near the start of the second quarter.

Ian McGarvey kicked a 30-yard field goal at the 7:15 mark in the second quarter to even the score with the Black Knights, 10-10.

The Black Knights intercepted the ball late in the second quarter and seven plays later would score to take the lead 17-10 after quarterback Trent Steelman connected with wide receiver Alejandro Villanueva on a 24-yard touchdown pass.

Ball State kicked off to Army to open the second half and held the Black Knights scoreless on its first drive. Ball State's offense answered after Page threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Torieal Gibson. The TD reception was the first of Gibson's career and tied the score at 17-17 with 9:57 remaining in the third stanza.

It was a defensive battle in the fourth quarter until free safety Donovan Travis returned an interception 18-yards to put Army up 24-17 with 6:41 left in the game.

1st quarter

Army 6:36 - James Carter 1-yard run (13 plays, 80 yards, 6:36) (Alex Carlton kick good)

Army 7, Ball State 0

Ball State 3:51 - Kelly Page 15-yard run (2 plays, 15 yards, :14) (Ian McGarvey kick good)

Ball State 7, Army 7

2^nd quarter

Army 13:37 - Alex Carlton 45-yard field goal (4 plays, 4 yards, 1:23)

Army 10, Ball State 7

Ball State 7:15 - Ian McGarvey 30-yard field goal (14 plays, 58 yards, 6:13)

Ball State 10, Army 10

Army 1:21 - Trent Steelman 24-yard touchdown pass to Alejandro Villanueva (7 plays, 53 yards, 2:57) (Alex Carlton kick good)

Army 17, Ball State 10