MOUNT PLEASANT, MICH. -In the biggest game of the season against the two-time defending Mid-American Conference champions, running back MiQuale Lewis rushed for the biggest total of his career.
On 28 carries, Lewis ran for 11 more yards than his previous career high, racking up 177 yards against Central Michigan University in Ball State University's 31-24 victory Wednesday.
"[The team leaders] told us on the sidelines just keep going, keep going, run the ball, run the ball ... and we did a great job doing that today," Lewis said.
With the MAC title on the line if they lost, Lewis continually kept the chains moving for the Cardinals. He never reached the end zone, but he had perhaps the most important play of the game.
Down 17-10 in the third quarter after Central Michigan began the second half with a quick touchdown drive, the Cardinals' ensuing drive stalled inside their own 40. On first down quarterback Nate Davis had an incomplete pass meant for tight end Madaris Grant.
Davis scrambled within inches of a first down on the third down play after Lewis rushed for a no gain on second down. It was fourth and inches on their own 37, but the Cardinals went for it.
Lewis got the ball just right of center and was stopped at the line, however, with a late dive forward just before his knee touched the ground he got the first down by the nose of the football.
"I just felt we needed to make a stand," coach Brady Hoke said. "If we can't get it on fourth and six inches or whatever it was then we don't deserve to win."
It was the momentum boost the Cardinals needed as they finished the drive with a touchdown and outscored the Chippewas 21-7 the rest of the way.
Getting the ball on its own 26 with the game tied at 24 with a little more than 10 minutes to go, it was Lewis who came up big again.
Lewis gained 63 yards on six rushes on the drive, and the Cardinals scored what proved to be the game winning touchdown.
"We got to finish," Lewis said. "[Central Michigan] is a championship team still. Our offensive line and tight ends ... had to establish the line and create holes. My job is to get the ball, keep the clock going and stay in bounds and we did a good job doing that."
Lewis' six rushes came in the drive's first seven plays with three of them going for more than 10 yards.
Throughout the game Lewis got yards practically every time he touched the ball, something Hoke said the team has come to expect of the running back.
"I think he has delivered all year for us," he said. "That just tells us what kind of back he is and what kind of competitor he is."
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