DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — The Miami University football team had many, many opportunities to score touchdowns against the 14th-ranked Ball State Cardinals and, for the most part, came up empty in its 31-16 loss at Yager Stadium.

The RedHawks controlled the ball during four possessions in the first half, out-gained the Cardinals 227 yards to 220, and yet had only one touchdown to show for it.

In the third quarter, Miami linebacker Joey Hudson returned an interception 52 yards to the BSU 40-yard line and got no points out of it.

"Yeah, it's frustrating. I thought we went toe-to-toe with them," Miami coach Shane Montgomery said. "They're a good football team. I don't think they're that much better than us.

"I told (the team) we couldn't settle for too many field goals, and we did," he added. "It's just frustrating because we feel we're getting close to being a decent offense."

Nathan Parseghian hit field goals of 39, 37 and 31 yards.

Defense stood firm

It might have been the high point of the season for Miami's defense, the goal-line stand in the first quarter.

At first Ball State had seemed unstoppable on its opening drive, which began at the BSU 42 when strong safety Derrick Henry forced a fumble by Miami wide receiver Jamal Rogers.

Ball State running back MiQuale Lewis on his first five carries gained 21, 7, 12, 14 and 3 yards and the Cardinals had the ball at the Miami 1-yard line, second and goal.

Lewis' next run was stopped by Robbie Wilson for no gain, Lewis was stopped again for no gain by Peris Edwards, and then Wilson broke up a pass into the end zone on fourth down.

The first quarter ended with no score, marking only the second time this season Ball State had been held scoreless in the opening period.

Yager a no-punt zone

Just how much did ball-control offense dominate Tuesday night's game?

Neither Miami nor Ball State punted the ball until the RedHawks' Jake Richardson unleashed a 51-yarder (with a minus-1 yard return) with 6:03 remaining in the third quarter.

It was Richardson's 16th punt of 50 yards or more this season.

And a no-penalty zone

The first accepted penalty of Tuesday's game came with 2:30 left in the third quarter, encroachment against Miami's defense.

The Cardinals did not have a penalty all night, the third straight game that has happened.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.