Keith Wenning dropped back and surveyed the field. It was third-and-goal from the four-yard line with 35 seconds to play. Ball State was down four points to Buffalo, in danger of losing its home opener. Wenning knew he had to get the Cardinals into the end zone any way he could. There was no other option.
As he ran through his reads, he saw freshman wide receiver Willie Snead streaking across the middle of the field, uncovered. This was it, an option so good it eliminated all others.
Snead caught the ball in the end zone, completing Ball State's 75-yard comeback drive with 29 seconds to play. After Steven Schott converted the extra point, the Cardinals had a 28-25 lead. It would become the game's final score moments later when Bulls quarterback Chazz Anderson's Hail Mary landed on the green plastic and black rubber of the Scheumann Stadium turf.
"It was a fun way to start off the MAC schedule and our true home opener," coach Pete Lembo said.
Ball State president Jo Ann Gora did not seem to agree.
"I do not wish to have a heart attack at the football game," Gora said before the start of Lembo's news conference.
Lembo indicated it will probably not be the last frantic comeback for the Cardinals in the next few years. It almost didn't even happen Saturday night.
Ball State had taken a 21-7 lead into halftime, only to lose all its momentum when Buffalo blocked Scott Kovanda's punt midway through the third quarter. Soon, the Cardinals would also lose the lead. The Bulls scored three straight touchdowns – one run by Branden Oliver, one catch by Alex Neutz, one run by Anderson – to take a 25-21 lead with 6:28 left in the game.
When Ball State got the ball back on its 25-yard line on the ensuing kickoff, Wenning and the rest of the offense knew it had to find the end zone on that possession.
"The offense had the mindset that it was all or nothing," Wenning said. "We knew that was about the last drive we were going to get. We knew we were going to have to put it in the end zone."
The Cardinals' offense, which had gone three-and-out on four consecutive drives, once again found its stride. Not sacrificing any of the playbook, Wenning calmly led Ball State down the field. The Cardinals converted twice on third down and twice on fourth down. They did it with runs by Jahwan Edwards and catches by Briggs Orsbon and Jamill Smith and Jack Tomlinson and, of course, Willie Snead.
Lembo said it was good to see so many different receivers make plays on the final drive. In all, nine different players caught at least one pass Saturday, totaling 226 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Edwards added 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Wenning said the final play was an easy read. The rest of the game was more difficult, but for one play at least, it was easy. He saw Snead and threw. There was no questions about where the pass would land. There was no other option.
Read More
Ball State defeats Eastern Kentucky in opening game of Gulf Coast Showcase
By Zach Carter / 3 hours agoBall State defeated Eastern Kentucky 63-61 for the Cardinals' second win of the season.
Ball State tops Texas A&M in second game of Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament
By Logan Connor / 18 hours ago“It's the reason you come to play in tournaments like this, to play really good basketball teams,” head coach Brady Salle said after his team's Battle 4 Atlantis win
Indiana Pacers defeat the Washington Wizards at home
By Derran Cobb / 21 hours agoIn the Pacers first of four straight home games, the Blue and Gold would defeat the Wizards 115-103. Pascal Siakam led the way with 22 points.
