The Toledo Rockets beat Ball State 39-24 on Saturday at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana, improving to 4-1. CJ Miller ran for 196 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yard score that put the game away.
Toledo trailed 10-6 early in the second quarter, then scored a safety and a touchdown to lead 15-10 at halftime. Toledo outgained the Cardinals in total yards and held the ball 34:20 to 25:40. Ball State’s Keldric Luster threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns but also fumbled once and threw an interception.
Toledo Rockets vs. Ball State Key moments
Toledo rushed for 352 yards on 51 carries (6.9 per attempt). After the Cardinals pulled within 22-17 midway through the third quarter on a 66-yard touchdown run by TJ Horton, Toledo answered: Miller scored on a 2-yard run, Reice Griffith kicked a 24-yard field goal, and Miller sealed it with a 68-yard touchdown run with 1:35 left.
The Cardinals converted 5 of 12 third downs and 0 of 1 on fourth down. Luster lost a fumble and threw an interception to Julian Fox, stalling drives the Cardinals could not afford.
Top performers
Toledo: CJ Miller rushed 20 times for 196 yards and two touchdowns (9.8 per carry). John Alan Richter passed for 201 yards and one touchdown. Israel Petite led the defense with eight tackles.
Ball State: Keldric Luster completed 21 of 33 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. TJ Horton rushed 9 times for 90 yards and one touchdown. Quentavius Scandrett had 13 tackles.
The Cardinals had 18 first downs, 132 rushing yards on 27 carries (4.9 per attempt), 5-of-12 on third down, two turnovers, and 25:40 time of possession. Brody Boehm was 1-for-2 on field goals.
What’s next
Toledo (4-1) returns home for its next Mid-American Conference game. Ball State (1-4) looks to rebound in its next MAC matchup.
Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).
