Central Michigan University
Ball State
Chippewas Drop MAC Grid Opener
9/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 20, 2003
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Central Michigan University football team started the Mid-American Conference season off on the wrong foot here Saturday afternoon, losing to Ball State University by a 27-14 margin. The loss evened CMU's record for the season to 2-2 while the Cardinals are also 2-2.
The Chippewas will have a much-needed bye this coming Saturday before closing the campaign with eight straight games. After a scoreless first period, BSU drew first blood with a 43-yard field goal by Brian Jackson at the 10:19 mark of the second period.
The Cardinal lead was short-lived as CMU scored on a 72-yard pass from Jeff Perry to Jacob Brown at the 8:55 of the second frame to give the visitors a 7-3 lead.
But, the hosts bounced back quickly to score two TD before the half on passes of 24 and 14 yards from Talmadge Hill to Dante Ridgeway to capture a 17-7 halftime edge.
CMU scored the lone TD of the third period on a three-yard run by QB Jeff Perry to cut the deficit to 17-14. BSU did all of the rest of the scoring, though, in the fourth period.
The Hill to Ridgeway duo clicked again for their third TD at the 9:30 mark for a 24-14 lead and then Jackson drilled a 38-yard field goal with 31 seconds to play for the final margin.
"We started faster than we have the past couple of games but were not able to make plays on third down and Ball State was," said CMU head coach Mike DeBord. "We need the week off because we're banged up. But, we also need to improve."
- The TD for Brown was a career first for the junior from Saginaw.
- James King blocked a field goal attempt by BSU in the first period, his 11th career block.
- For the first time this season, CMU did not have a 100-yard rusher. Terrence Jackson was tops with 19 for 77 yards.
- CMU QB Jeff Perry left the game in the third period with a leg injury and did not return. His status is unknown.
- Brian Brandt had a solid day punting for the Chippewas with 10 boots for a 41.8 average.
- Anthony Tyus Jr. led CMU with 13 tackles while the MAC's top tackler James King, William Brookshire and Daniel Bazuin had 10 stops each.
