Ball State scores 20 unanswered in 2nd half, beats UAB 51-31
Dunner returns kickoff for a TD
Mailik Dunner responds to a UAB touchdown by taking the kickoff 93 yards to the house.
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Malik Dunner returned a kickoff for a 93-yard touchdown and Ball State scored 20 unanswered points in the second half for a 51-31 victory over UAB on Saturday.
Ball State (1-1) took its opening possession of the second half 65 yards in nine plays for James Gilbert's 1-yard TD plunge, extending its lead to 28-17. He added another short TD run early in the fourth.
UAB quarterback A.J. Erdely ran for his third TD late in the third to pull within 31-24, but Dunner returned the ensuing kickoff to start the Cardinals' scoring run.
Ball State's opening drive of the game went 12 plays and 65 yards, culminating with Dunner's 8-yard touchdown run. Riley Neal's 15-yard pass to Danny Pinter made it 14-3 midway through the second quarter.
UAB (1-1) answered with a pair of Erdely touchdown runs -- of 41 and 18 yards -- to take a 17-14 lead, but Ball State came right back as Caleb Huntley busted one up the middle for a 52-yard touchdown run and led 21-17 at intermission.
Erdely threw for 168 yards and added 77 yards on the ground.
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Game Information
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| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 8-0 | 11-2 |
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|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 7-1 | 11-3 |
| Miami (OH) | 7-1 | 8-5 |
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| Bowling Green | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| Western Michigan | 5-3 | 6-7 |
| Toledo | 4-4 | 7-5 |
| Northern Illinois | 4-4 | 7-5 |
| Akron | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Eastern Michigan | 2-6 | 5-7 |
| Central Michigan | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Ball State | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Kent State | 0-8 | 0-12 |
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