Labas-to-Parker touchdown lifts Central Michigan over Ball State in wild finish

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Joe Labas hit Chris Parker with the winning touchdown pass in the final minute and Central Michigan defeated Ball State 37-34 on Saturday in a game that saw three lead changes in the last five minutes.

Ball State overcame Central Michigan's 23-point second quarter to take a 24-23 lead on Braedon Sloan's 22-yard touchdown run in the middle of the third quarter.

Ball State added a field goal for a 27-23 lead midway through the fourth, then things got wild in the final five minutes.

Bert Emanuel's 16-yard run put Central Michigan up 30-27, then Kadin Semonza's third touchdown pass of the game — a 16-yarder to Tanner Koziol — put Ball State up 34-30 with 53 seconds remaining. The key play on the 97-yard drive was a 45-yard connection from Semonza to Qian Magwood.

The Chippewas began the winning drive on their own 25-yard line, still with 53 seconds left. B.J. Harris opened the drive runs of 50 yards and 6 yards. Labas hit Harris for a short gain, then connected with Evan Boyd for 34 yards to the Ball State 20. On the next play, Labas hit Parker with the winning pass.

The Cardinals had 16 seconds left for their final possession, but a series of laterals backed them up to the 6-yard line as time ran out.

Labas completed 14 of 20 passes for 185 yards with one touchdown and Harris had 151 yards rushing for the Chippewas (2-2, 1-0 Mid-American Conference).

Semonza was 30-for-40 passing for 285 yards for the Cardinals (1-2, 0-1). Sloan had 94 yards rushing and Koziol 112 yards receiving.

The game opened Ball State's 50th season of MAC football.