Ball State was set to receive, but on the kickoff, Alex Grace forced a fumble, which was returned by Obbie Jackson for a touchdown, giving Western an early 7-0 lead. Ball State followed with a punt, and Western came back with a 13 play, 89-yard touchdown drive, 12-yard touchdown pass by Jon Wassink to Keishawn Watson, extending Western’s lead to 14-0.
Ball State’s ensuing drive ended in a missed field goal, followed up by a punt from Western, and a punt from Ball State after that. On the following drive, Western went 41 yards in five plays, capped by a seven-yard touchdown run by LeVante Bellamy, widening Western’s lead to 21-0.