Ball State University
1-4 , 0-2
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Western Michigan
2-3 , 1-0
Football Falls to Western Michigan
October 05, 2024 | Football
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Ball State (1-4, 0-2 MAC) and Western Michigan (2-3, 1-0 MAC) took turns in an offensive-heavy contest, scoring 87 total points by the end of regulation. Under coach Mike Neu's direction since 2016, only 89-point games against Eastern Michigan (2016) and Central Michigan (2019) send more points to the scoreboard. The action began quickly with the Cardinals' and Broncos' 35 combined points after one period the most in a Ball State first quarter since 2015.
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An FCS All-American in 2023 at Eastern Kentucky, Sloan recorded the 20th game of his career with at least 100 all-purpose yards. Sloan tallied 90 receiving yards to go along with 67 rushing and a 22-yard touchdown pass to Christian Abney in the third quarter, serving as the first pass of Sloan's career and the first score of Abney's.
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Quarterback Kadin Semonza totaled 307 passing yards, completing 21 of his 35 attempts. Semonza continued to easily connect with tight end Tanner Koziol, who matched his career-high nine catches for the third-straight week, finishing with 102 yards.
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Semonza was aided by the return of Ty Robinson, who grabbed a 21-yard target in the endzone to tie the game 14-14 in the first quarter, following a 72-yard reception by Sloan. Robinson, who returned against the Broncos after going down with injury on the opening snap of the season, scored in his first game against Mid-American Conference competition.
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After WMU opened the game with two quick touchdowns, Malcolm Gillie answered their second score with a 97-yard kick return to mark Ball State's first points and bring them within one possession. Gillie ended the day with 143 return yards.
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The Cardinals' defense contributed big plays, but not enough to slow down the offensive onslaught. Ball State's goal-line stand prevented the Broncos from taking the lead before the half. Darin Conley and Riley Tolsma each recorded sacks, and Nathan Reichert forced a fumble that was recovered by Jordan Coleman and set up nose tackle Drew Hughes' first career score. Lined up as a fullback, Hughes corralled a 2-yard pass from Semonza, putting Ball State in the lead for the first time, 35-28, in the third period.
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The game began to weigh further in the Broncos' favor, though, due to the Cardinals' costly turnovers. Semonza threw two interceptions and Ball State's three turnovers led to two Western Michigan touchdowns which proved costly.
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Ball State heads to Kent State next Saturday at noon.
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Team Stats
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WMU 7, BSU 0
WMU - Nixon,Jaden 21 yd run (Zurak,Luka kick), 9 plays, 85 yards, TOP 04:18
WMU 14, BSU 0
WMU - Bosma,Blake 10 yd pass from Wolff,Hayden (Zurak,Luka kick) 2 plays, 10 yards, TOP 00:41
WMU 14, BSU 7
BSU - Gillie,Malcolm 97 yd kickoff return (Courville,Jackson kick)
WMU 14, BSU 14
BSU - Robinson,Ty 21 yd pass from Semonza,Kadin (Courville,Jackson kick) 4 plays, 95 yards, TOP 01:30
WMU 21, BSU 14
WMU - Nixon,Jaden 57 yd run (Zurak,Luka kick), 2 plays, 65 yards, TOP 00:53
WMU 21, BSU 21
BSU - Pickett,Cam 4 yd run (Courville,Jackson kick), 15 plays, 83 yards, TOP 09:10
WMU 28, BSU 21
WMU - Dieudonne,Malique 43 yd pass from Wolff,Hayden (Zurak,Luka kick) 6 plays, 69 yards, TOP 02:41
WMU 28, BSU 28
BSU - Abney,Christian 22 yd pass from Sloan,Braedon (Courville,Jackson kick) 5 plays, 66 yards, TOP 02:15
WMU 28, BSU 35
BSU - Hughes,Drew 2 yd pass from Semonza,Kadin (Courville,Jackson kick) 4 plays, 28 yards, TOP 01:52
WMU 31, BSU 35
WMU - Zurak,Luka 39 yd field goal 14 plays, 53 yards, TOP 07:31
WMU 38, BSU 35
WMU - Nixon,Jaden 23 yd run (Zurak,Luka kick), 3 plays, 32 yards, TOP 00:57
WMU 45, BSU 35
WMU - Sambucci,Anthony 1 yd pass from Wolff,Hayden (Zurak,Luka kick) 7 plays, 65 yards, TOP 03:32
WMU 45, BSU 42
BSU - Pickett,Cam 27 yd pass from Semonza,Kadin (Courville,Jackson kick) 8 plays, 85 yards, TOP 01:20
