Rush leads Central Michigan past Ball State 23-21

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) Cooper Rush completed 30 of 38 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns to help Central Michigan beat Ball State 23-21 on Saturday. The

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) Cooper Rush completed 30 of 38 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns to help Central Michigan beat Ball State 23-21 on Saturday.

The Chippewas (4-4, 3-1 Mid-American) snapped a five-game skid against Ball State.

James Gilbert's 1-yard touchdown run on the final play of the first half gave Ball State (2-6, 1-3) its first lead of the game at 14-10.

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Rush hit Jesse Kroll for a 4-yard score late in the third quarter and Brian Eavey made a career-long 47-yard field goal to put Central Michigan in front 20-14. But KeVonn Mabon returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown and Ball State led 21-20 with 10:24 remaining.

The Chippewas answered with an 11-play, 55-yard drive, capped by Eavey's third field goal of the day - a 34-yarder - to take the lead for good.

Ball State, which has lost five in a row, turned it over on downs twice in the final 5:30.