Indiana State surprises Ball State

Sep 14, 2014 - 12:17 AM Muncie, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - Coming off a one-win season, Indiana State hasn't actually shied away from a difficult non-conference schedule this year.

But tougher opponents have brought out the best in the Sycamores, who on Saturday surprised Mid-American Conference member Ball State, 27-20, on quarterback Mike Perish's three touchdown passes.

Perish completed 25-of-43 pass attempts for 317 yards, breaking a 20-20 tie with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Kyani Harris with 3:50 remaining in the fourth quarter.

A final Ball State drive reached the Indiana State 2-yard line, but the clock ran out on the Cardinals.

Indiana State (2-1) became the fourth FCS team, and the second from the Missouri Valley Conference, to defeat an FBS program this season. The Sycamores finished 1-11 in coach Mike Sanford's first season last year, but played well in an opening loss to Indiana, beat Tennessee Tech and Ball State, and next host Big South power Liberty.

While claiming the Victory Bell for the first time since 1987 in the intrastate matchup, Indiana State ended a six-game losing streak to Ball State (1-2). The Sycamores last beat an FBS program in 2011, topping Western Kentucky, 44-16.