MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - Tyree Jackson connected with Anthony Johnson for four touchdowns, including three in the first half, and Buffalo breezed to a 40-24 victory over Ball State on Thursday night.
A 33-yard field goal by Adam Mitcheson and Jackson's first hook-up with Johnson - a 21-yarder - gave the Bulls (5-6, 3-4 Mid-American Conference) a 10-0 first-quarter lead. Jackson found Johnson for a 14-yard score to stretch the lead to 17-0 at 11:27 in the second quarter.
Morgan Hagee got the Cardinals (2-9, 0-7) on the scoreboard with a 21-yard field goal, but Jackson found Johnson for the third time - from 11 yards out - to make it 23-3. Jack Milas hit Nolan Givan for an 11-yard score with 49 seconds left to pull the Cardinals within 23-10 at halftime.
The Bulls sandwiched a K.J. Osborn 16-yard TD run and Jackson's last scoring toss to Johnson - a 56-yarder - around a 50-yard TD run by Ball State's Malik Dunner to lead 37-17 after three quarters.
Jackson finished with 350 yards passing and became the first Bull to throw for 300-plus yards in three straight games. Johnson totaled 153 yards on seven catches.
Buffalo won at Ball State for the first time in five tries. The Cardinals lead the series 9-2.
Milas passed for 127 yards and two scores for Ball State, while Caleb Huntley totaled 141 yards on 26 carries.
UB keeps bowl hopes alive with win over Ball State
The Bulls now have to win their season finale against Ohio next week to become bowl eligible.
