Tough Second Half Dooms 'Hawks in Regular Season Finale

Friday, November 29

Muncie, IN

12 p.m.

Miami University

7-5 , 6-2

Ball State University

5-7 , 4-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Miami University

Ball State

Tough Second Half Dooms 'Hawks in Regular Season Finale

11/29/2019 3:37:00 PM | Football

Box Score Box Score

The Cardinals scored 27 unanswered to take the 41-27 win.

MUNCIE, Ind. - Despite a big first half featuring some key special teams plays, the Miami RedHawks stalled out in the second as Ball State scored 27 unanswered points to spoil Miami's regular season finale 41-27 on Friday.

Miami still finishes the season as MAC East Champions at 7-5 (6-2 in the Mid-American Conference), while Ball State concludes the year at 5-7 (4-4).

After a third-down sack from Bart Baratti and Ivan Pace Jr. put an end to Ball State's opening drive, the RedHawks opened the scoring on their first possession of the game, marching 87 yards in just seven plays. The drive was capped by a 16-yard rush by Jaylon Bester, giving the Red and White an early 7-0 advantage.

Breaking tackles all the way to the end zone 💪#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/7DKHnkwEyP
— Miami Football (@MiamiOHFootball) November 29, 2019

After a Ball State touchdown on their next series knotted the score at 7-7 late in the first quarter, Sam Sloman drilled a 32-yard field goal to put Miami back up 10-7 after another long RedHawk drive. Just four plays later, freshman Lonnie Phelps blocked a punt to set up the 'Hawks deep inside Cardinals' territory, recovering the ball at the BSU 10.

Blocked punt from @Lonniephelps10 sets Miami up deep in Cardinal territory!#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/MlPOBHBpkf
— Miami Football (@MiamiOHFootball) November 29, 2019

On the very next play, Gabbert found Jack Sorenson on a 10-yard touchdown to extend Miami's lead to 17-7 with 12:09 to play in the first half.

The RedHawks capitalize on the blocked punt as @BrettGabbert finds @jsore13 for six!

Miami 17, BSU 7 - 12:09 2Q#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/cD8OP9rYJ2
— Miami Football (@MiamiOHFootball) November 29, 2019

The Miami defense forced a punt on the ensuing possession and once again the Miami special teams came up big. This time, Emmanuel Rugamba came from the outside to get a hand on the ball. Phelps picked up the block and returned it for a 32-yard score, spotting the Red and White a 24-7 lead with 10:41 left in the second quarter.

ANOTHER BLOCK! This time @BooRadd_ knocks it down and @Lonniephelps10 scoops it up for the TD!

Miami 24, BSU 7- 10:41 2Q#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/go9qPgLtr8
— Miami Football (@MiamiOHFootball) November 29, 2019

Ball State would chip into the Miami lead on their next drive, as the Cardinals put together a 14-play, 75-yard series capped by a touchdown pass from Drew Plitt to Justin Hall. Sloman would give Miami three more points on the next drive, as he drilled a kick from 50 yards out to put Miami on top 27-14 after a 43-yard Sorenson reception helped set things up. That score would hold into halftime as Miami stopped BSU on the half's final possession.

💰💰💰

.@ssloman118 hits from 5⃣0⃣ to go 2-for-2 on the day!

Miami 27, BSU 14 - 2:17 2Q#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/sBvzxH3lbG
— Miami Football (@MiamiOHFootball) November 29, 2019

Jackson Williamson entered at quarterback for the second half, and Miami went three-and-out to start the frame. Kobe Burse forced a fumble on the ensuing Ball State drive that was scooped up by Sterling Weatherford. However, the RedHawks wouldn't be able to capitalize on the good field position, and the Cardinals would be the first to strike in the second half as Plitt found Yo'Heinz Tyler for a 40-yard TD that trimmed the Miami lead to 27-20.

Following another Miami three-and-out, the Cardinals leveled the score at 27-all with an 80-yard drive, with a five-yard touchdown run by BSU's Huntley coming on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The first play of Miami's next possession resulted in an interception for the Cardinals, but the Miami defense would limit the damage and force a Ball State punt. However, a second consecutive interception would prove to be costly as Tyler had his second touchdown catch of the game and the Cardinals went on top for the first time.

After the RedHawks failed to convert on fourth-and-one on their next possession and turned the ball over on downs, Ball State pushed its lead to 41-27 as Huntley ran for a 30-yard touchdown.

Despite getting the ball into BSU territory in its next possession, Miami would come up just short on a fourth down attempt, and the Cardinals would take over once again. Ball State ran out the clock in the final few minutes to seal the 41-27 win.

Williamson ended the game 4-of-11 for 52 yards. Sorenson was Miami's leading receiver, tallying 76 yards and a score while Bester led the ground game with 59 yards and a touchdown.

Burse had a game-high 14 tackles and Rugamba chipped in 11.

Miami returns to action next Saturday (Dec. 7) for the 2019 Mid-American Conference Championship at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. against the MAC West-winning Central Michigan Chippewas. Opening kick is set for noon and the game will be carried live on ESPN2.