"What a great win for our players, especially the guys who were taking the field at Scheumann Stadium for the final time," Ball State head coach Mike Neu said. "I'm just so proud of them. I know selfishly for me, I get a chance to spend more time with them, and that's exciting to me. I know we'll learn soon where we're going in terms of a bowl game, but what a great night. What a great way to finish it off.
"It was a dominating performance by our defense. Special teams were awesome with the number of punts that were downed inside the 5-yard line and pinning them back. The defense just played lights out with four interceptions, sacks and just kept answering the challenge each and every time. It was just a great win. I'm so excited for our guys to be going back to a bowl game again."
In a rematch of last season's Mid-American Conference Championship Game, the Cardinals (6-6, 4-4 MAC) defense set the tone, starting with an interception by Malcolm Lee on the Bulls' (4-8, 2-6 MAC) opening drive.
It was one of several big defensive plays over the course of the game which helped Ball State hold a league opponent to single digits for the first time since a 20-3 victory at Buffalo on Nov. 11, 2010.
In all, the Cardinals collected four interceptions and limited the Bulls to 148 rushing yards and 188 yards through the air.
On the other side, the Ball State offense was able to capitalize on the early pick, following it up with a 42-yard touchdown drive which was capped by a one-yard Drew Plitt run. Then, on the ensuing Buffalo drive, BSU's special teams got into the action with a blocked punt by Hassan Littles which gave Ball State the ball at the Buffalo six.
Three plays later, Plitt connected with Jayshon Jackson for a seven-yard score and the Cardinals were up 14-0. Plitt finished the day 19-31-0 for 176 yards and one touchdown, with 103 of those yards going to Jackson.
Add field goals of 35 yards in the second quarter and 48 yards in the third quarter from kicker Jacob Lewis to cap the scoring for the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Buffalo's lone points came from a 38-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
There were chances for the Bulls, however, but every opportunity led to a big play from the Ball State defense.
Buffalo looked to gain momentum late in the third quarter after its longest play of the day, a 29-yard pass, gave it the ball at the Ball State 41-yard line. However, a sack by Anthony Ekpe and Clayton Coll on second down set the Bulls back eight yards. Christian Albright followed with a pass breakup, ultimately forcing a punt.
On the next Buffalo possession at the start of the fourth quarter, J.T. Wahee got into the action by intercepting a UB pass at the Ball State 11-yard line. It was Wahee's second interception of the season.
With Buffalo driving again on its next possession, Jaylin Thomas registered his team-leading fourth pick of the year, collecting the ball at the Ball State 36-yard line. Along with his interception, Thomas led all players with 14 tackles, including six solo.
Bryce Cosby then sealed the victory with his second interception of the season, stopping a potential scoring drive at the Ball State one yard line and returning it for what appeared to be a 99-yard touchdown. Unfortunately, his return was called back as his knee was ruled to have touched the ground at the two.
In addition to the blocked punt, BSU's special teams also pinned the Bulls inside the five yard line three times in the second half. The first was a 42-yard chip shot from Plitt in the third which pinned Buffalo back to the five.
Nathan Snyder followed with a pair of 49-yard fourth-quarter punts which pinned the Bulls on the one each time. The first came on the drive following Wahee's pick, while the second came on the drive after Thomas' interception.
The Cardinals, who earned a 34-13 victory over No. 19 San Jose State in last season's Offerpad Arizona Bowl, will now await word on a potential bowl bid to end the 2021 season.