:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68551962/1230200922.0.jpg)
The bettors didn’t give the Ball State Cardinals much of a chance pregame, but they are the 2020 Mid American Conference Champions with their 38-28 win over the Buffalo Bulls on Friday night in Ford Field in Detroit, MI.
Ball State closed as a 13.5 point underdog at DraftKings Sportsbook, and will finish the season at 6-1 before a bowl berth. Buffalo falls to 5-1 as they miss the opportunity for the first undefeated season in program history.
Cardinals quarterback Drew Plitt was 20-32 for 263 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. BSU was able to pick on the Buffalo secondary, finding receivers that ranged from lightly covered to quarantined for most of the game. Yo’Heinz Tyler was the star with six catches for 91 yards and a score.
Where the real success was slowing down the nation’s leading rusher in the Bulls Jaret Patterson. The Heisman Trophy candidate had 18 carries for just 47 yards in the loss after averaging 205 yards per game during the regular season. It was a record-setting day for quarterback Kyle Vantrease, who finished with a career high 365 yards on 29/42 passing.