The Ball State football team faces the No. 12 Miami Hurricanes in a tough road game to start the season on Saturday afternoon.
After starting the season as the only FBS team not to play in Week 1, the Cardinals began their season with a 42-34 home win over Missouri State in Week 2. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, won both games by a wide margin, defeating Florida 40-17 in Gainesville before dominating Florida A&M 56-9 in their first home game last week.
Hurricanes QB Cam Ward has looked like one of the best players in college football through two games, throwing for 689 yards, six touchdowns and just one interception. Ball State’s new defense will have the unenviable task of slowing down Ward as it tries to pull off a major upset in the Mid-American Conference two weeks in a row.
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The Hurricanes defense forced the first turnover of the game when Elijah Alston intercepted a pass from Semonza after the quarterback was again under pressure. Two plays later, Ward again found Restrepo for a 20-yard touchdown to make it 31-0, a score that would stand until halftime.
The Cardinals led another charge into Miami territory, but were faced with a fourth-and-3 attempt. The offense initially tried to put the Hurricanes offside with a hard count, but tried anyway after a timeout. Semonza’s pass was incomplete, and it took the Hurricanes two plays before Ward threw his third touchdown of the half.
Ward hit receiver Chris Johnson Jr. with a bubble screen and Johnson ran for a 37-yard touchdown that gave Miami a 17-0 lead.
The Cardinals’ offense can’t do anything against Miami’s front seven. Semonza was sacked for the third time on third and eighth downs, forcing a fourth punt. Tyler Baron was responsible for two of Miami’s three sacks, all of which came on third downs.
Ball State finally started moving the ball early in the second quarter. Semonza escaped pressure and found Tanner Koziol and Cam Pickett for first downs, and the Cardinals eventually found themselves in Miami territory. Another Miami sack on third down forced a third Ball State punt in as many drives.
The Hurricanes defense forced a three-and-out and the offense made another quick drive. Ward found receiver Xavier Restrepo for a 21-yard touchdown, making the game 10-0.
Miami defensive lineman Simeon Barrow Jr. sacked Kadin Semonza on third down, forcing a Ball State punt. QB Cam Ward led the Hurricanes deep into Ball State territory, but the Cardinals defense held firm and forced a field goal by Andres Borregales.
After a weather-related delay of over two hours, the game finally kicked off at 5:55 p.m. ET. The Cardinals will begin the game on offense.
Ball State’s away game against the Hurricanes was originally scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, but was postponed due to thunderstorms in the area. Kickoff is tentatively set for 4 p.m. ET, but further postponements are possible.
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Ball State Football vs Miami – Live Score Updates
