MUNCIE, IN (WKZO AM/FM) – Ball State beat Western Michigan University 30-27 Saturday to win its first MAC West football title since 2008, with the Cardinals scoring 17 unanswered points in the second half to advance to Friday’s MAC Championship game, where they will take on the 24th-ranked Buffalo Bulls.
The game came right down to the end, where Western Michigan still had a chance to win on a wild final play which saw 13 laterals, a fumble, more laterals, and a touchdown by WMU’s Skyy Moore that was ultimately nullified by a penalty for a forward lateral.
With six seconds remaining, down 30-27, the Broncos had the ball near mid-field and unleashed the wild lateral play. The play started with a screen pass to WR Skyy Moore, who lateralled back to RB La’Darius Jefferson, who then lateralled to QB Kaleb Eleby. 11 more laterals ensued until the 13th lateral was a fumble.
Ball State’s bench charged the field, thinking the fumble had been recovered and the game was over only to find that the whistle had not been blown and the fumble was not yet recovered.
The ball was eventually recovered by Western Michigan and more laterals ensued with Skyy Moore ending up with the ball. Moore weaved through the chaos to reach the end zone. Unfortunately for Broncos fans, the score was called back due to a penalty, as one of the laterals was ultimately determined to be a forward pass.
WMU finishes its regular season at 4-2, and now awaits a potential bowl bid.
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