Cory Sykes took the handoff from Kelly Page and bounced to the outside. From there it didn't matter that Sykes is one of the fastest players in the Mid-American Conference because even Ball State's slowest player could have walked into the end zone.
It was just the start Ball State was looking for against Southeast Missouri State.
But the Cardinals' lead was short lived. When Southeast Missouri State got the ball for the first time, it carved Ball State's defense up with a series of short passes and the option.
Running back Mike Jones tied the game at seven with an 11-yard touchdown. The score remained that way at the end of the first quarter.
The Cardinals' running backs carried the load in the team's opening drive of the season. Eric Williams rushed six times for 31 yards and got the ball the first play of the game.
Quarterback Kelly Page completed two of his three passes in the quarter for 27 yards.
Continue to follow Ball State's first game of the season against Southeast Missouri State on bsudailynews.com.
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