Ball State Cardinals @ Western Michigan Broncos
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALL | 7 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 45 |
WMU | 14 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
Ball State pulls away late, beats Western Michigan 45-20
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- — Drew Plitt passed for 310 yards and four touchdowns — including a 75-yarder to Jalen McGaughy on the first play from scrimmage — and Ball State pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Western Michigan 45-20 in Mid-American Conference action on Saturday.
After Plitt staked Ball State (3-3, 1-1) to the lead 11 seconds into the game, the Broncos (4-2, 1-1) responded with short touchdown runs by La'Darius Jefferson and Kaleb Eleby to grab a 14-7 lead by quarter's end. Plitt knotted the score early in the second period on a 21-yard TD toss to Yo’Heinz Tyler. Both teams added field goals and it was 17-all at halftime.
Nick Mihalic kicked a 21-yard field goal with 6:44 left in the third quarter to put Western Michigan up 20-17, but it was all Cardinals after that. Plitt connected with Justin Hall for a 33-yard TD late in the third and added a 24-yarder to Tyler 60 seconds into the fourth to put Ball State up 31-20. Hall added a 5-yard TD run and Brett Anderson II capped the scoring when he returned a fumble 18 yards to the end zone.
Plitt competed 15 of 25 passes for Ball State. Tyler had five catches for 98 yards.
Eleby was 20-of-34 passing for 258 yards with two interceptions for the Broncos.
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Game Information
Kalamazoo, MI
2025 Standings
| Mid-American Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Western Michigan | 7-1 | 10-4 |
| Ohio | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Toledo | 6-2 | 8-5 |
| Miami (OH) | 6-2 | 7-7 |
| Central Michigan | 5-3 | 7-6 |
| Akron | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Buffalo | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Kent State | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Eastern Michigan | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Ball State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Bowling Green | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Northern Illinois | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Massachusetts | 0-8 | 0-12 |
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