Ball State University
1-1
South Florida
2-0
Football Loses 37-7 at No. 22 South Florida
September 11, 2011 | Football
TAMPA, Fla. - The Ball State University football team fell 37-7 to 22nd ranked South Florida Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium.
The game marked the second straight contest in a National Football League stadium for the Cardinals who defeated Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., in the season opener.
Ball State started the game off with a fumble on the opening kick that South Florida safety Mark Joyce returned 17 yards for a touchdown, and the 22nd-ranked Bulls maintained the advantage for the remainder of the contest.
"There is no question when you play a team of this quality you want to get off with a good start," Ball State first-year head coach Pete Lembo says. "The turnovers are a part of football and they are tough to overcome against a team like South Florida. They were a very good opponent and we did not help ourselves in a game where we had very little margin for error."
Ball State managed to hold USF to a 31-yard field goal on its next possession and with 8:03 remaining in the first quarter the Bulls took a 10-0 advantage.
With 4:15 on the clock in the first quarter Jason Pinkston recorded his first interception of the season and eighth of his career, but the Cardinals were unable to convert on the turnover.
The Cardinals held the Bulls to a 24-yard field goal at the start of the second quarter, making the score 13-0. USF then scored a touchdown at the 9:34 mark after a 2-yard run from Demitris Murray. Before the half South Florida would score two more times with a field goal and a touchdown, making the score 30-0.
One of the bright spots of the first half was when Joel Cox blocked USF's field goal attempt right before intermission. The blocked field goal was the first for the Cardinals since Oct. 10, 2009, against Temple.
USF scored in the third quarter off of a 1-yard run by running back Darrell Scott increasing its lead to 37-0.
Running back Jahwan Edwards put the Cardinals on the scoreboard for the first time in the game when he scored the first touchdown of his career. Edwards scored on 13-yard run at the 13:13 mark of the fourth quarter.
At the 6:19 mark of the fourth quarter Josh Howard recorded his second interception of his career but the Cardinals were unable to capitalize on the turnover.
The Ball State University football team will face its first Mid-American Conference opponent at home Saturday when it hosts Buffalo at Scheumann Stadium with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
NOTES:
Jason Pinkston with 4:15 left in the first quarter earned his first interception of the season and eighth of his career.
This is the first time Ball State has played a top 25 team on the road since Nov. 4, 2006 when the Cardinals lost at Michigan 34-26. Michigan entered the game ranked No. 2 in the AP and Coaches Poll. South Florida entered the game ranked 22nd by AP.
Ball State had its first blocked field goal since Oct. 10, 2009 against Temple.
Jahwan Edwards scored his first touchdown of his career.
Josh Howard had his second interception of his career.
First Quarter
South Florida 7, Ball State 0
Mark Joyce 17-yard fumble return. Maikon Bonani kick good.
South Florida 10, Ball State 0
8:03- Maikon Bonani 31-yard field goal.
10 plays, 75 yards, 3:26
Second Quarter
South Florida 13, Ball State 0
13:51- Maikon Bonani 24-yard field goal.
11 plays, 55 yards, 3:48
South Florida 20, Ball State 0
9:34 - Demetris Murray 2-yard run. Maikon Bonani kick good.
3 plays, 9 yards, 1:43
South Florida 23, Ball State 0
5:03- Maikon Bonani 38-yard field goal.
11 plays, 63 yards, 3:29
South Florida 30, Ball State 0
2:18- B.J. Daniel 20-yard touchdown pass to Victor Marc. Maikon Bonani kick good.
4 plays, 71 yards, :56
Third Quarter
South Florida 37, Ball State 0
2:19- Darrell Scott 1-yard run. Maikon Bonani kick good.
6 plays, 65 yards, 1:56
Fourth Quarter
South Florida 37, Ball State 7
13:13- Jahwan Edwards 13-yard run. Steven Schott kick good.
9 plays, 77 yards, 4:06
Team Stats
BSU 0, USF 7
USF - JOYCE, Mark 17 yd fumble recovery (BONANI, Maikon kick)
BSU 0, USF 10
USF - BONANI, Maikon 31 yd field goal 12 plays, 76 yards, TOP 3:25
BSU 0, USF 13
USF - BONANI, Maikon 24 yd field goal 11 plays, 55 yards, TOP 3:48
BSU 0, USF 20
USF - MURRAY, Demetri 2 yd run (BONANI, Maikon kick), 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:34
BSU 0, USF 23
USF - BONANI, Maikon 38 yd field goal 11 plays, 63 yards, TOP 3:29
BSU 0, USF 30
USF - MARC, Victor 20 yd pass from DANIELS, B.J. (BONANI, Maikon kick) 4 plays, 71 yards, TOP 0:56
BSU 0, USF 37
USF - SCOTT, Darrell 1 yd run (BONANI, Maikon kick), 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 1:56
BSU 7, USF 37
BSU - EDWARDS, Jahwan 13 yd run (SCHOTT, Steven kick), 9 plays, 77 yards, TOP 4:06
