Football Defeats Indiana 27-20

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State University football team defeated Big Ten Conference opponent Indiana, 27-20, Saturday night in its season opener at Lucas Oil Stadium.

First year head football coach Pete Lembo recorded his first win at the helm of the Cardinals behind the performance of starting quarterback Keith Wenning, who had a career high 61 rushing yards with one touchdown. Wenning also completed 23-of-29 passes for 173 with two TDs.

"The most important people are those guys in the locker room," Lembo says. "They have been through a lot of highs and lows. I have said this a million times, the way they have embraced our coaching staff is incredible. Hopefully, tonight shows if you get everybody on the same page and you are working together it does not matter where you come from or where you coached."

Indiana scored the first touchdown of the game when running back Matt Perez rushed for nine yards for IU's first score of the game in the first quarter. Sophomore Aaron Morris recorded his first career sack which forced the Hoosiers to punt on fourth a down.

Ball State capitalized on its defensive efforts by evening the score (7-7) at the start of the second quarter after Wenning connected with junior running back Barrington Scott for a 1-yard touchdown pass. Scott's TD marked the first of his career as a member of the Cardinals.

IU took the lead with 12:58 remaining in the second quarter 14-7, but Ball State quickly answered back at the 7:11 mark after Wenning recorded his third rushing touchdown of his career with a 1-yard run making the score 14-14.

Heading into the half the Hoosiers led 17-14 after a 49-yard field goal from Mitch Ewald.

With 9:25 left in the third quarter Ball State made it a 17-17 ball game after senior kicker Steven Schott hit a 38-yard field goal. The field goal marked Schott's longest field goal of his career.

The Cardinals took a 23-14 edge over the Hoosiers with 3:54 left in the third quarter after Wenning found junior wide receiver Connor Ryan at the corner of the end zone for 20-yards. The TD reception by Ryan was the second of his career.

With 2:16 left in the contest, Schott secured the victory for the Cardinals with a 22-yard field goal to put Ball State up 27-17 over the Hoosiers.

"I thought we were a little pumped up early," Lembo says. "Our student body stepped up. The alumni turnout was just terrific. I could not be happier for the university."

The Ball State University football team will travel to South Florida Saturday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

First Quarter

Indiana 7, Ball State 0

6:04-Matt Perez 9-yard run. Mitch Ewald kick good.

15 plays, 76 yards, 6:04

Second Quarter

Ball State 7, Indiana 7

14:20- Keith Wenning 1-yard touchdown pass to Barrington Scott. Steven Schott kick good.

13 plays, 84 yards, 6:00

Indiana 14, Ball State 7

12:58- Edward Wright-Baker 65-yard touchdown pass to Demarlo Belcher. Mitch Ewald kick good.

5 plays, 80 yards, 1:22

Ball State 14, Indiana 14

7:11-Keith Wenning 1-yard touchdown run. Steven Schott kick good.

15 plays, 73 yards, 5:40

Indiana 17, Ball State 14

3:17-Mitch Ewald 49-yard field goal.

10 plays, 32 yards, 3:47

Third Quarter

Ball State 17, Indiana 17

9:25-Steven Schott 38-yard field goal.

11 plays, 48 yards, 5:25

Ball State 24, Indiana 17

3:38- Keith Wenning 20-yard touchdown pass to Connor Ryan. Steven Schott kick good.

Fourth Quarter

Ball State 27, Indiana 17

2:16- Steven Schott 22 yard field goal

15 plays, 80 yards, 7:18

Ball State 27, Indiana 20

00:59- Mitch Ewald 27 yard field goal

9 plays, 52 yards, 1:13

Next Event

Team Stats

Players Mentioned

Aaron Morris

Connor Ryan

Steven Schott