Spring Break
Murphy, RedHawks run over Ball State
'Hawks open season with last-minute 14-13 MAC victory over BSU Cards
Mike Zoller
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Sports
Miami marched down the field during its second possession of the second quarter and for the first time Murphy found the end zone with a 21-yard touchdown run, giving Miami a 7-3 lead going into halftime.
For Murphy it was his first touchdown since being riddled with injuries last season.
"It felt great," he said. "To be able to get in the end zone, it's something I hadn't done in a long long time."
Coming out in the second half, the Miami offense was unable to carry over the momentum from the second quarter into the third.
With Miami searching for its offense, Ball State struck back, and with 11:22 left in the fourth quarter, Cardinal quarterback Nate Davis floated a 23-yard touchdown pass to the corner of the end zone to Dante Love, putting Ball State up 13-7.
After Kokal threw his second interception of the game in the end zone it seemed as if last year's late game woes had followed Miami into the 2007-08 season.
However, the RedHawks would get one more chance after Harris returned a Cardinal punt 57 yards and Murphy finished it off with a 6-yard run to tie the game up, with the extra point putting Miami ahead for good, 14-13-with just 14 seconds left in the game.
"I knew it was a must score, the game was winding down and do whatever I had to do to get in the end zone," Murphy said.
Although Kokal couldn't get things going, Murphy's 123 yards and two touchdowns kept Miami in the game and ultimately earned them the victory.
While Miami will savor the victory, they will be back on the practice field preparing for the next game.
"We got to get back to the drawing board and improve on both sides of the ball," Murphy said. "We gotta have a great week of practice and be prepared for the next game."
The RedHawks will travel north and take on the Minnesota Gophers Sept. 8 before coming home for their first game at Yager against Cincinnati Sept. 15, in the Battle for the Victory Bell game.
For Murphy it was his first touchdown since being riddled with injuries last season.
"It felt great," he said. "To be able to get in the end zone, it's something I hadn't done in a long long time."
Coming out in the second half, the Miami offense was unable to carry over the momentum from the second quarter into the third.
With Miami searching for its offense, Ball State struck back, and with 11:22 left in the fourth quarter, Cardinal quarterback Nate Davis floated a 23-yard touchdown pass to the corner of the end zone to Dante Love, putting Ball State up 13-7.
After Kokal threw his second interception of the game in the end zone it seemed as if last year's late game woes had followed Miami into the 2007-08 season.
However, the RedHawks would get one more chance after Harris returned a Cardinal punt 57 yards and Murphy finished it off with a 6-yard run to tie the game up, with the extra point putting Miami ahead for good, 14-13-with just 14 seconds left in the game.
"I knew it was a must score, the game was winding down and do whatever I had to do to get in the end zone," Murphy said.
Although Kokal couldn't get things going, Murphy's 123 yards and two touchdowns kept Miami in the game and ultimately earned them the victory.
While Miami will savor the victory, they will be back on the practice field preparing for the next game.
"We got to get back to the drawing board and improve on both sides of the ball," Murphy said. "We gotta have a great week of practice and be prepared for the next game."
The RedHawks will travel north and take on the Minnesota Gophers Sept. 8 before coming home for their first game at Yager against Cincinnati Sept. 15, in the Battle for the Victory Bell game.
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