Glass Bowl -- Toledo, OH
ESPN2
Ball State’s quest to get back in the winning column will be a big challenge as the Cardinals visit an invigorated Toledo squad Thursday night at the Glass Bowl.
As talented as the Rockets are, and as good as they looked against Western Michigan last week, it’s hard to believe they entered that game on a two-game losing streak. In fact, they had lost three of four and failed to post back-to-back wins at any time this season. They can do that with a home win over Ball State.
November games are critical games for contenders, and UT (4-4, 2-2 MAC) has reason to feel it is still in the hunt. One week after Ball State, the Rockets will battle Northern Illinois in DeKalb. However, Toledo must first take care of business with the struggling Cardinals.
BALL STATE CARDINALS (3-6, 2-3 MAC)
➤➤ Ball State is on a two-game slide and has dropped three of tis last four outings. Most recent was a 52-14 loss at Ohio. BSU scored the first and last points with the only scores of the first and fourth quarters. Ohio, however, squeezed 52 points into the middle two stanzas.
➤➤ The Cardinals biggest problem was stopping Ohio’s ground game. The Bobcats eventually rolled up 411 rushing yards, marking the first time Ohio has eclipsed 400 rushing yards since 2005.
➤➤ Ball State, meanwhile, managed just 80 yards on the ground, with another 162 coming through the air for a total of 242 yards.
➤➤ Riley Neal cmpleted 7-of-16 passes for 76 yards and a TD, while sophomore backup Drew Plitt went 9-of-17 for 86 yards with one interception. Justin Hall notched four receptions for a team-high 42 receiving yards.
➤➤ Ball State also committed three turnovers to just one for Ohio.
TOLEDO ROCKETS (4-4, 2-2 MAC)
➤➤ The Rockets 51 points was easily more that UT had scored in the previous two games -- both losses.
➤➤ Toledo starter Mitchell Guadagni was injured late in the first half and did not return. Sophomore Eli Peters stepped in and helped UT pull away from a 23-17 halftime lead with 21 straight third quarter points. Overall, Peters completed 8-of-14 passes for 107 yards and three touchdowns. The visiting Rockets had five passing TDs total.
➤➤ Toledo’s ground game was humming to the tune of 268 yards. Four different backs had at least 48 yards, while freshman Bryant Koback led the way with 99 yards and one TD among his 10 carries.
➤➤ Toledo’s defense registered five sacks and seven TFLs.