MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Nate Davis threw four touchdown passes, and No. 14 Ball State survived a scare from Central Michigan on Wednesday night in a 31-24 victory that gave the Cardinals a school-record for wins in a season.
The victory also clinched a share of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference for Ball State (11-0, 7-0), which has never played in the league title game. The Cardinals can win the division outright with a win over Western Michigan on Tuesday.
Davis hit Briggs Orsbon in the corner of the end zone from 11 yards out with 7:29 left to give Ball State a 31-24 lead. Central Michigan had a chance to tie the game in the closing minutes, but Dan LeFevour was intercepted by Sean Baker at the Ball State 9 with 35 seconds left to seal it.
“It shows that we are resilient,” Cardinals coach Brady Hoke said, “and can win tightly contested games.”
Central Michigan (8-3, 6-1) can reach the conference title game if Ball State stumbles, Western Michigan defeats Eastern Michigan and other tiebreakers come through.
Footnotes.
Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh said he plans to sign a three-year extension after the season, which would put him under contract through 2014. ESPN reported the deal would be worth in excess of $1.25 million per season.
• Michigan offensive tackle Stephen Schilling is questionable for Saturday’s game against Ohio State because of a sprained knee, while receiver Zion Babb was kicked off the team for violating undisclosed rules.
The Associated Press
