Ball State surprises No. 19 San Jose State
TUCSON, Ariz. — Tears were shed when Ball State coach Mike Neu told his players this summer that the season had been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
When the Mid-american Conference changed course and decided to start a truncated season in November, the Cardinals were given a second chance. They turned it into the program's first bowl win in 10 tries.
Antonio Phillips returned an early interception 53 yards for a touchdown, Drew Plitt accounted for two scores and Ball State beat short-handed No. 19 San Jose State 34-13 in the Arizona Bowl on Thursday.
“We knew were granted an opportunity to do something special here,” Ball State safety Bryce Cosby said. “That says a lot about these guys. I can't even fathom the amount of sacrifice with COVID and everything. We had to do everything a little different and I'm just proud of these guys.”
San Jose State (7-1, No. 22 CFP) had to play without its two coordinators and Mountain West Conference player of the year Cade Hall due to COVID-19 and other issues.
The Cardinals (7-1) took advantage, quick-hitting their way down the field on offense after Phillips' interception for a 27-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Mid-american champions bogged down in the second half but had four interceptions to beat consecutive ranked opponents for the first time; they defeated thenno. 23 Buffalo in the MAC title game.
“People ask if this is a Super Bowl-type game or a Pro Bowl-type game,” Neu said. “This is a Super Bowl-type game for us. I'm proud of these guys for playing Cardinals football.”
Already short-handed, the Spartans lost tight end Derrick Deese Jr., the team leader with five touchdown receptions, to a neck injury on the first play from scrimmage.
Quarterback Nick Starkel injured his left knee in the second quarter but later returned wearing a brace. He threw for 268 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions.
“Ball State came out and played hard and they get rewarded for it,” said Starkel. “We felt confident with the guys we had going into this game and I take full responsibility for the interceptions because when I have the ball in my hands, it's all on me.”
Both teams arrived in the desert on a roll.
The Spartans, who went 1-11 just two years ago, had their best season since going 13-0 in 1939. San Jose State won its first Mountain West championship and had its first winning season since 2012.
The Spartans did it despite having to relocate for training camp and not being able to play on their home field for most of the season.
Ball State lost its opener to
Miami of Ohio, then reeled off six consecutive wins to earn its first MAC championship since 1996.
The Cardinals got off to a quick start against the shorthanded Spartans.
Phillips scored on his interception when Starkel had a miscommunication with a receiver on the Spartans' opening drive. Ball State kept rolling with its up-tempo offense, scoring on 3-yard runs by Will Jones and Tye Evans. Plitt also scored on a 1-yard, fourthdown run after Nic Jones blocked Elijah Fischer's punt.
“We came out with a purpose,” Neu said.
San Jose State finally got some momentum after Starkel was injured, but backup Nick Nash threw an interception in the end zone. Spartans kicker Matt Mercurio closed the ugly first half with a badly-missed 49-yard field goal attempt.
Plitt's 48-yard TD pass to Yo'heinz Tyler made it 33-0 before San Jose State finally scored on Charlie Bostic's 99yard kickoff return.
“The best story of Spartan football this year has been our brotherhood and our family,” Spartans coach Brent Brennan said. “In our process of building that together and for those guys who couldn't be a part of today, it's completely devastating and heartbreaking for them and everyone feels that.”
Tyler had three rushing touchdowns – from 1, 6, and 2 yards – to tie a Liberty Bowl record.
The Black Knights initially were scheduled to play in the Independence Bowl but seemed left out of the bowl lineup after the Shreveport, Louisiana, bowl was canceled. They got the opportunity to play in the Liberty Bowl after Tennessee (3-7) opted out because of COVID-19 cases.
The game was played in overcast conditions with occasional showers and sub40-degree temperatures. The weather and local COVID-19 restrictions limited the crowd in the 60,000-seat Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, leaving clusters of the announced 8,187 fans scattered throughout the stadium.
What began as a defensive battle, changed after halftime. Army's rushing offense got untracked, while a change in quarterbacks to Kendall for West Virginia gave it more firepower through the air.