Saturday, October 7
Akron, Ohio
3:30 p.m.
Ball State University
2-4 , 0-2
3
at
31
Akron
3-3 , 2-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Ball State
3
0
0
0
3
Akron
7
10
0
14
31
Photo by: Paul Ferrer
Football Suffers Road Loss at Akron
October 07, 2017 | Football
Cardinals off next week, return to action Oct. 21 with Homecoming
AKRON, Ohio – Freshman Caleb Huntley ran for a personal-high 129 yards, but the Ball State football team fell to host Akron Saturday afternoon in Mid-American Conference action, 31-3.
The Cardinals ran 90 plays and maintained possession for nearly 34 minutes but struggled to move the ball in Akron territory for much of the day.
Akron scored on the game's opening possession and built a 17-3 lead by halftime. The Zips' defense made a key goal line stop in the second quarter after Akron had just extended its lead to 14-3. Ball State faced second-and-goal from the 2-yard line, but the Zips stuffed the Cardinals on three consecutive runs.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Akron put the game away with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns.
"Our defense really kind of kept us in the game," Ball State head coach Mike Neu said. "Offensively we're struggling to put points on the board. We had opportunities early in the game in the red zone but couldn't get a touchdown."
Ball State reached the red zone three times and only came away with three points.
Quarterback Thomas Woodson threw for 211 yards and two scores for the Zips. His touchdown pass to Kwadarrius Smith early in the fourth quarter extended the lead to three scores.
Huntley finished the day with a team season-high 129 yards on 25 carries for Ball State. Quarterback Jack Milas threw for 176 yards on 21-of-41 passing. Freshman wide receiver Justin Hall led the team with seven receptions for 48 yards.
"I'm proud of Caleb Huntley, the way he ran the ball tonight," Neu said. "I really thought he made the most of his carries, and he's really done a good job ball security wise."
Ball State has an open date next weekend. The Cardinals will then return to Scheumann Stadium for the first time in a month to host Central Michigan for Homecoming on Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. Ticket information for the Homecoming game, as well as the other three remaining home contests, can be found at this link – CLICK HERE.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
The Cardinals ran 90 plays and maintained possession for nearly 34 minutes but struggled to move the ball in Akron territory for much of the day.
Akron scored on the game's opening possession and built a 17-3 lead by halftime. The Zips' defense made a key goal line stop in the second quarter after Akron had just extended its lead to 14-3. Ball State faced second-and-goal from the 2-yard line, but the Zips stuffed the Cardinals on three consecutive runs.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Akron put the game away with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns.
"Our defense really kind of kept us in the game," Ball State head coach Mike Neu said. "Offensively we're struggling to put points on the board. We had opportunities early in the game in the red zone but couldn't get a touchdown."
Ball State reached the red zone three times and only came away with three points.
Quarterback Thomas Woodson threw for 211 yards and two scores for the Zips. His touchdown pass to Kwadarrius Smith early in the fourth quarter extended the lead to three scores.
Huntley finished the day with a team season-high 129 yards on 25 carries for Ball State. Quarterback Jack Milas threw for 176 yards on 21-of-41 passing. Freshman wide receiver Justin Hall led the team with seven receptions for 48 yards.
"I'm proud of Caleb Huntley, the way he ran the ball tonight," Neu said. "I really thought he made the most of his carries, and he's really done a good job ball security wise."
Ball State has an open date next weekend. The Cardinals will then return to Scheumann Stadium for the first time in a month to host Central Michigan for Homecoming on Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. Ticket information for the Homecoming game, as well as the other three remaining home contests, can be found at this link – CLICK HERE.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
Team Stats
BALL
AKRON
Total Yards
376
383
Pass Yards
221
249
Rushing Yards
155
134
Penalty Yards
15
15
1st Downs
22
19
3rd Downs
8
4
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
33:40
26:20
1st Quarter
BALL 0, AKRON 7
AKRON - WOLF, Austin 24 yd pass from WOODSON, Thomas (O'LEARY, Tom kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:14
BALL 3, AKRON 7
BALL - HAGEE, Morgan 31 yd field goal 11 plays, 51 yards, TOP 3:31
2nd Quarter
BALL 3, AKRON 14
AKRON - SANDS, Deltron 32 yd run (O'LEARY, Tom kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:09
BALL 3, AKRON 17
AKRON - O'LEARY, Tom 48 yd field goal 7 plays, 49 yards, TOP 2:18
4th Quarter
BALL 3, AKRON 24
AKRON - SMITH, Kwad. 21 yd pass from WOODSON, Thomas (O'LEARY, Tom kick) 8 plays, 53 yards, TOP 3:44
BALL 3, AKRON 31
AKRON - LAKO, John 35 yd interception (O'LEARY, Tom kick)
Game Leaders
CMP
21
TD
0
YDS
176
INT
3
CMP
3
TD
0
YDS
45
INT
0
Players Mentioned
Football // Preview vs. Ohio - Coach Uremovich, Qua Ashley, and DJ Fields
Wednesday, October 01
Men's Basketball // Season Preview with Head Coach Michael Lewis
Monday, September 29
Ball State Football Weekly Press Conference - Sept. 29
Monday, September 29
Football // Bye Week with Charlie Cardinal
Friday, September 26