Ball State University
1-2
Purdue
2-1
Football Suffers 24-13 Loss At Purdue
September 18, 2010 | Football
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Ball State University football team (1-2, 0-0 MAC) fell 24-13 to Big Ten foe Purdue (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) Saturday afternoon at Ross-Ade Stadium.
"We got unnerved a little in the first half but did a good job of making adjustments in the second half," said Ball State head football coach Stan Parrish. "They hurt us with a few big plays. We got a little tired and their offensive line wore us out."
Purdue scored on its first drive to take the early 7-0 lead after quarterback Robert Marve connected with wide receiver O.J. Ross on a 36-yard touchdown pass. The Boilermakers would then go up 14-0 after Marve completed a nine yard pass to wide receiver Cortez Smith with 1:14 remaining in the first quarter.
In the second quarter both teams went scoreless. Ball State managed to get into the red-zone twice but could not capitalize after missing two field goals.
Free safety Sean Baker intercepted the ball for the 13th time in his career in the opening minutes of the third quarter which setup Ball State's first touchdown of the game after running back MiQuale Lewis rushed for a 1-yard touchdown. The rushing touchdown was Lewis' first of the season and 31st of his career, which ties him for second all-time in rushing touchdowns at Ball State with Michael Blair (1993-96).
Sophomore Eric Williams led the Cardinals in rushing with 62 yards on 10 carries, while Lewis managed 27 yards and one score on 14 rushes. Redshirt freshman David Brown had three carries for 42 yards in the game.
With 12:59 remaining in the game, Purdue's quarterback Rob Henry completed a 76-yard touchdown pass to Smith allowing the Boilermakers to increase their lead to 21-6. On Ball State's next possession, Purdue would intercept the ball which would set up a 23-yard field goal from kicker Carson Wiggs making it a 24-6 at the 6:36 mark.
Ball State scored with 4:50 in the fourth quarter after quarterback Kelly Page completed a 10-yard pass to Connor Ryan making the score 24-13. It was Ryan's first career touchdown reception.
Ball State true freshman Keith Wenning started the first game of his career at quarterback and completed 11-of-21 passes for 89 yards with two interceptions and was sacked three times. Page, who started Ball State's first two games of the season, completed 2-of-2 passes for 17 yards and one touchdown, while rushing five times for 36 yards.
"Keith Wenning had to learn to start somewhere, but this is a tough venue to learn," Parrish says. "Kelly Page gave us a good effort in his play. We are okay at that position."
Defensively, Ball State was led by Travis Freeman, who managed nine tackles and one tackle for loss. Baker added eight tackles, while Tony Martin and Kyle Hoke contributed seven tackles apiece. Rene Perry managed one tackle for loss and one sack in the game.
The Ball State football team continues its three game road trip when it faces its second Big Ten opponent of the season Iowa Saturday with a noon kickoff. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network. The Cardinals will then travel to Central Michigan Oct. 2 for its Mid-American Conference opener and a third straight road contest.
First Quarter
Purdue 7, Ball State 0
Robert Marve 36 yard touchdown pass to O.J. Ross. Carson Wiggs kick good.
9 plays, 79 yards, 2:31
Purdue 14, Ball State 0
Robert Marve 9 yard touchdown pass to Cortez Smith. Carson Wiggs kick good.
14 plays, 79 yards, 4:56
Third Quarter
Purdue14, Ball State 6
MiQuale Lewis 1-yard run. Steven Schott kicked blocked.
4 plays, 32 yards, 1:52
Fourth Quarter
Purdue 21, Ball State 6
Rob Henry 76 yard touchdown pass to Cortez Smith. Carson Wiggs kick good.
5 plays, 87 yards, 1:46
Purdue 24, Ball State 6
Carson Wiggs 23-yard field goal.
7 plays, 32 yards, 3:33
Purdue 24, Ball State 13
Kelly Page 10 yard touchdown pass to Connor Ryan. Steve Schott kick good.
4 plays, 33 yards, 1:46
Notes:
Sean Baker had his 13th career interception in the opening of the third quarter which ties him for third all-time in the Ball State record books.
MiQuale Lewis rushed for his first touchdown of the season and 31st of his career which ties him for second all-time in rushing touchdowns along with former Cardinal Michael Blair (1993-96).
Eric Williams 67-yard punt return was the longest of his career and the season.
Connor Ryan caught his first career touchdown pass in the fourth quarter making the score 24-13 Purdue.
Team Stats
BALL 0, PUR 7
PUR - Ross, O.J. 36 yd pass from Marve, Robert (Wiggs, Carson kick) 9 plays, 79 yards, TOP 2:31
BALL 0, PUR 14
PUR - Smith, Cortez 9 yd pass from Marve, Robert (Wiggs, Carson kick) 14 plays, 79 yards, TOP 4:56
BALL 6, PUR 14
BALL - LEWIS, MiQuale 1 yd run (SCHOTT, Steven kickblocked), 4 plays, 32 yards, TOP 1:52
BALL 6, PUR 21
PUR - Smith, Cortez 76 yd pass from Henry, Rob (Wiggs, Carson kick) 5 plays, 87 yards, TOP 1:46
BALL 6, PUR 24
PUR - Wiggs, Carson 23 yd field goal 7 plays, 32 yards, TOP 3:33
BALL 13, PUR 24
BALL - RYAN, Connor 10 yd pass from PAGE, Kelly (SCHOTT, Steven kick) 4 plays, 33 yards, TOP 1:46
