Jackson-Johnson combo propels Buffalo past Ball State 40-24
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Tyree Jackson connected with Anthony Johnson for four touchdowns, including three in the first half, and Buffalo breezed to a 40-24 victory over Ball State on Thursday night.
A 33-yard field goal by Adam Mitcheson and Jackson's first hook-up with Johnson -- a 21-yarder -- gave the Bulls (5-6, 3-4 Mid-American Conference) a 10-0 first-quarter lead. Jackson found Johnson for a 14-yard score to stretch the lead to 17-0 at 11:27 in the second quarter.
Morgan Hagee got the Cardinals (2-9, 0-7) on the scoreboard with a 21-yard field goal, but Jackson found Johnson for the third time -- from 11 yards out -- to make it 23-3. Jack Milas hit Nolan Givan for an 11-yard score with 49 seconds left to pull the Cardinals within 23-10 at halftime.
The Bulls sandwiched a K.J. Osborn 16-yard TD run and Jackson's last scoring toss to Johnson -- a 56-yarder -- around a 50-yard TD run by Ball State's Malik Dunner to lead 37-17 after three quarters.
Jackson finished with 350 yards passing and became the first Bull to throw for 300-plus yards in three straight games. Johnson totaled 153 yards on seven catches.
Buffalo won at Ball State for the first time in five tries. The Cardinals lead the series 9-2.
Milas passed for 127 yards and two scores for Ball State, while Caleb Huntley totaled 141 yards on 26 carries.
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Game Information
2023 Mid-American Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Miami (OH) | 7-1 | 11-3 |
| Ohio | 6-2 | 10-3 |
| Bowling Green | 5-3 | 7-6 |
| Buffalo | 3-5 | 3-9 |
| Akron | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| Kent State | 0-8 | 1-11 |
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Toledo | 8-0 | 11-3 |
| Northern Illinois | 5-3 | 7-6 |
| Eastern Michigan | 4-4 | 6-7 |
| Western Michigan | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Ball State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Central Michigan | 3-5 | 5-7 |
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