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MOUNT PLEASANT, MICH. - Despite 10 straight blowout wins, Ball State University's football team entered Wednesday's game at Central Michigan University with one question left unanswered: Could the Cardinals win a close game?
Coach Brady Hoke told his team at halftime this game would provide an answer.
His players responded to Hoke's challenge with three defensive stops and a late touchdown, sealing a 31-24 win for Ball State against the two-time defending Mid-American Conference champions. The victory was Ball State's 11th on the season - a single-season record - and vindicated a 20-point loss to the Chippewas last season.
"The knock on us was we couldn't play a tight game," fifth-year senior linebacker Bryant Haines said. "Well, it was tight at halftime, it was tight in the third and the fourth. So it tested our character a lot, and we came through."
After a 10-10 tie at halftime, both offenses scored two touchdowns in their first three possessions of the second half.
But Ball State's defense forced a punt, giving the ball back to its offense with 10:31 left in regulation and the score tied at 24. The Cardinals scored their game-winning touchdown nine plays later on an 11-yard pass from quarterback Nate Davis to freshman Briggs Orsbon.
"The way we did it was huge - we got after the quarterback," Haines said. "During the course of the game, we didn't get to [the quarterback] as much as we wanted to. But on that particular drive, we were getting to him, making him move his launch pad and making him uncomfortable."
Ball State's defense had its share of problems against Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour, but its effort was improved over last year's. LeFevour torched the Cardinals for more than 500 yards of total offense and six touchdowns last year.
LeFevour completed 30-of-44 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns, but he was held to 75 rushing yards on 24 carries, an average of 3.1 yards per rush.
"I think in the basic quarterback-run plays, we did a nice job," Hoke said. "When he scrambles, and he makes a guy miss and you're not filling your lanes quite right, he can hurt you."
Davis didn't outshine LeFevour in the stat book, but he managed one of his better games of the season. The junior completed 12 of 22 passes for 175 yards and four touchdowns. He added 42 rushing yards on seven carries, and most of his runs extended possessions.
Davis' favorite receiver on the night was fifth-year senior Louis Johnson. He caught two passes for 65 yards, and both of his catches scored touchdowns.
"It's just about playing big when it's time to play big," Johnson said. "If the ball is in the air, coach knows I want it. All our wide receivers feel the same - if the ball is up there we want to go get it. I'm just happy that coach called my number."
Both teams entered the game with a 6-0 record in the MAC. The win makes Ball State the front-runner to represent the West Division in the conference's championship game.
To do that, the Cardinals will have to pass their final test of the season Tuesday against Western Michigan University.
"We'll move past this pretty quick," Hoke said of Wednesday night's emotionally charged win. "In fact, it was the kids in the locker room who have started moving past it already and understand what we have left."
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