Ball State at Toledo football: Cardinals' MAC Championship hopes end in 28-21 loss
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TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo (7-3, 5-1 MAC) moved ever close to punching its ticket to the Mid-American Conference Championship in Detroit with a 28-21 victory over Ball State (5-5, 3-3 MAC). The Rockets eliminated the Cardinals' MAC Championship hopes.
Here's what happened in the nationally televised contest:
Final: Toledo 28, Ball State 21
Toledo held on, scored late and eliminated Ball State's hopes of a MAC Championship bid thanks to an 8-yard touchdown pass with 1:18 left in the game.
John Paddock throws interception on 4th-and-18
Any hopes of a Ball State miracle ended on a John Paddock interception on 4th-and-18 following a sack on 3rd-and-10. The Cardinals moved the ball on their final possession but were unable to capitalize.
Toledo breaks through with late touchdown pass
After a fourth quarter punt fest, Toledo finally broke through on a pass from Dequan Finn to Jamal Turner to put the Rockets up 28-21 with 1:18 to go. Ball State will get the ball back with 1:18 left and two timeouts.
Amechi Uzodinma intercepts Dequan Finn
Dequan Finn, who has 260 passing yards, launched up another deep pass, this time toward the pylon but short of his wide receiver and was intercepted by Ball State's Amechi Uzodinma, giving the Cardinals the ball back with 5:02 left in the third quarter. The interception was Ball State's first forced turnover in three weeks.
Toledo responds yet again
Toledo wouldn't led Ball State hold the lead for too long as the Rockets took eight plays to drive 75 yards to tie the game 21-21 with 9:48 left in the third quarter. The drive was capped off with a 3-yard touchdown run from Peny Boone, who shed a would-be tackler for the score.
Carson Steele scores his 3rd touchdown
Carson Steele broke free for another long touchdown run, pushing over a defender and running 34 yards to give Ball State a 21-14 lead with 12:32 left in the third quarter.
The Cardinals have 194 net offensive yards. Steele has 171 rushing yards early in the third quarter.
Halftime: Ball State 14, Toledo 14
It's all knotted up after a nearly 2-hour first half.
Outside of two long Toledo drives and a pair of Ball State scoring drives which began at midfield, both defenses have been solid.
Toledo had 220 yards, including 164 through the air, and 48 coming off a single touchdown throw. Ball State's relied on its rushing game, running 22 times for 94 yards compared to its seven receptions for 34 yards.
The Cardinals punted six times while the Rockets punted five. Toledo went 4-for-10 on third-down while Ball State went 2-for-10.
Toledo's Cluckey misses 47-yard field goal
Toledo regained possession after another Ball State 3-and-out and had a 1st-and-10 from the Cardinals' 30-yard-line. After a 15-yard chop block penalty, Toledo kicker Thomas Cluckey attempted, and missed, a 47-yard field goal. Ball State regained possession from its own 29-yard-line with 5:39 remaining in the second quarter.
Toledo ties it up on a deep pass from Finn to Maddox
After three straight 3-and-outs following its first score, Toledo responded quickly with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Dequan Finn to Devin Maddox. The four-play, 75-yard touchdown drive tied the game 14-14 with 8:51 left in the second quarter.
Carson Steele strikes again
Ball State, which began its drive at Toledo's 47-yard-line, took advantage of solid field position once again. Carson Steele, on 3rd-and-one turned what looked like was going to be a loss of yards into a 38-yard touchdown run, putting Ball State up 14-7 with 10:09 left in the second quarter.
With the run, Steele has 85 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.
Ball State responds with a Carson Steele TD run
Ball State took over at midfield and, thanks to a handful of Toledo penalties, marched down field and tied the game with a 9-yard touchdown run from Carson Steele to tie the game 7-7 with 0:20 left in the first quarter. Running backs coach Joey Hecklinski spiked down his headset in celebration following the score.
Toledo strikes first to go up 7-0
After three straight 3-and-outs, Toledo struck first on an 8-yard pass from Dequan Finn to Jerjuan Newton to go up 7-0 with 6:50 left in the first quarter, capping off a 13-play, 80-yard drive.
Dequan Finn will start for Toledo
Sophomore quarterback Dequan Finn, who missed Toledo's last game against Eastern Michigan, is reported to start against Ball State, according to Pete Thamel. Finn was seen warming up on the field approximately 85 minutes before game time.
Finn has 1,637 passing yards, throwing 59.91% (130-for-217) to go along 520 rushing yards, 26 total touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.
Ball State vs. Toledo football:Who will take possession of the MAC West?
When is the Ball State football game on Tuesday?
Ball State will play Toledo at 8 p.m. tonight at The Glass Bowl in Toledo, Ohio.
How to watch the Ball State-Toledo football game
Ball State's game against Toledo will be televised at 8 p.m. on ESPN. You can also listen to the broadcast on the Ball State Gainbridge Radio Network, WLBC and SiruisXM 972.
Ball State football's 2022 scores
Ball State football's 2022 upcoming schedule
at Toledo, Nov. 8 (8 p.m.)
vs. Ohio, Nov. 15 (7 p.m.)
at Miami, Nov. 22 (7 p.m.)
Ball State-Toledo football betting line
Toledo is an 11.5-point favorite. The over/under is 50.5.
Robby General covers Ball State and East Central Indiana high school sports for The Star Press. Contact him via email at rgeneral@gannett.com or on Twitter @rgeneraljr.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Ball State vs. Toledo football: Live updates, scores, kickoff time
