Three takeaways from CMU's 45-20 loss to Ball State
Central Michigan wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton returns to the sidelines during the fourth quarter in a 45-20 loss against Ball State Dec. 6 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Ball State has hit its stride.
After struggling early in the season and squandering its season opener, fifth-year coach Mike Neu and company have built a solid unit. That unit imposed its will on Central Michigan Dec. 5, rolling the Chippewas 45-20.
"They took us behind the shed and whopped us pretty good," CMU coach Jim McElwain said. "No doubt about it in every phase of the game. Credit to them and what they were able to do."
The Cardinals kept their Mid-American Conference championship hopes alive with the win, while the Chippewas were eliminated from MAC West title contention with the loss.
Here are three takeaways from CMU's 45-20 loss to Ball State
Drew Plitt among conference's best quarterbacks
He ran, he threw, he even threw a block on occasion.
Ball State quarterback Drew Plitt did whatever he wanted for a majority of Saturday's game. The senior made throws at all three levels -- short, intermediate and long. Surrounded by an arsenal of talented wide receivers, Plitt made play after play when his team needed him to and finished 26-for-43 for 366 yards and four touchdowns.
He also showed poise and awareness in the pocket. The Chippewa front four had little trouble getting to Plitt, yet he proved difficult to bring down. Numerous times, Plitt would shake off a Chippewa rusher and find a receiver or sprint for a first down.
Plitt was efficient in both the pass and run game. In the red zone, Plitt took a speed option and reversed field to go 12 yards for a touchdown. In the third quarter, with the Chippewa defense reeling, Plitt sprinted through a small hole in the defense and juked his way to a first down.
Later on that drive, he dropped a perfect 39-yard pass to Jalen McGaughy while being ripped to the turf by a Chippewa defender.
After making a late mistake that cost his team a win in their season opener against Miami (Ohio), Plitt has reversed the trajectory of his team's season and captained them to a chance at a MAC championship berth.
Brock solid, yet unspectacular in first start behind struggling offensive line
After seeing spot duty in the first four games of the season, Brock got his first chance to start for the Chippewas against the Cardinals. With plenty of experience from playing at the Division I FCS level, Brock looked ready for the opportunity.
Brock provided the only two big plays for an otherwise downtrodden CMU offense. First, he hit junior receiver Kalil Pimpleton open on a wheel route for a 38-yard score to open the Chippewa scoring. Later, he sprinted through a gaping hole on the right side of the field, picked up a block, and ran 82 yards for a touchdown to put his team within 10 points, 24-14.
Brock finished the game 20-of-30 with 188 passing yards, along with 67 rushing yards. He was intercepted twice, one time for putting too much air on a tight throw to Pimpleton that was intercepted by J.T. Wahee and another late in the game trying to keep a play alive.
"He did some good things," McElwain said. "(There's) some throws he'd like to have back. And yet he went in there and competed."
However, more often than not, he was operating with multiple defenders in his face. Without starter Deiyantei Powell-Woods, and Danny Motowski after the first half, the Chippewas struggled to move the ball. There was little to speak of in terms of running the ball, with both junior Kobe Lewis and freshman Lew Nichols being held to 19 and 70 rushing yards, respectively.
Coming into the game, the Cardinals had allowed the most passing yards of any defense in the MAC. Despite the talented weapons that the Chippewas have at their disposal, Brock and company were unable to take advantage of that struggling secondary.
Redshirt freshman Daniel Richardson did suit up, as did sophomore John Keller for the first time all season, but did not play. It's unclear whether Brock will be the starter going forward, however he provided the team with a steady presence. Yet, the usually explosive Chippewa offense was held in check by the Cardinal defense.
Trio of special teams blunders difficult to overcome
In the grand scheme of the game, CMU's three special teams mistakes only resulted in seven Ball State points. Yet, in terms of momentum, they cost so much more.
First, there was a poor punt from BSU that was inadvertently kicked by redshirt freshman Trey Jones. Fortunately, Pimpleton was able to fall on it and the misplay resulted only in a loss of around 20 yards.
Pimpleton and company wouldn't get as lucky later on.
The Chippewas tried a trick play late in the first half on a kick return following a Cardinal touchdown, however Pimpleton stumbled and lost the ball. Ball State was unable to convert with the ensuing nine seconds, and CMU dodged a bullet.
Perhaps the biggest blow came midway through the third quarter with CMU preparing to get the ball trailing by 10. Cardinal punter Nathan Snyder had his punt downed at the 1-yard line, however a penalty forced BSU to retake the field and punt again.
The result was disaster for CMU. Pimpleton dove at the ensuing punt and lost the ball, which the Cardinals recovered. What ensued was a rushing touchdown from Will Jones, putting the Cardinals up three scores and put the game out of reach.
The errors on special teams were symbolic of the game itself, with the Chippewas squandering multiple opportunities after being given them. The struggles were too much to overcome.
