For highlight video of the game, check out Brad Brown's report, above.
TUCSON — Ball State was a nine point underdog heading into its Arizona Bowl meeting with 7-0 San Jose State. The Cardinals paid no attention to the odds makers.
In an amazing show of offense, Ball State was up 27-0 by the end of the first quarter and then added a touchdown early in the third before the Spartans finally put some points on the board.
The 34-13 victory gives the Cardinals a 7-1 record — their first winning season since 2013. Ball State lost its season opener by seven points, then went undefeated in the COVID-shortened season.
It was also the first bowl victory in BSU history. The Cardinals had dropped their previous nine bowl games, dating back to 1965.
San Jose State won the Mountain West Conference and came into the Arizona Bowl 7-0. But things started going bad for the Spartans early in the game when Ball State's Antonio Phillips intercepted a pass and went 53 yards for a touchdown.
It was the first of four interceptions by the BSU defense.
The Cardinals added first quarter rushing touchdowns by Will Jones, Tye Evans and quarterback Drew Plitt. Yo'Heinz Tyler, who had 103 yards receiving, caught a third quarter pass to cap the Ball State scoring.
San Jose State was out-rushed by the Cardinals 185-69. In a balanced offensive attack, BSU had 217 passing yards to go with the rushing totals.
Plitt was 12 of 19 passing for 217 yards, with no interceptions. Jones rushed for 89 yards and Donny Marcus added 69.
