Tulsa running back Tarrion Adams (25) is stopped by Ball State's Bryant Haines (49) during the GMAC Bowl NCAA college football game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
(AP)
Three of his teammates ran for at least 58 yards as well.
The Cardinals had been giving up just 142 yards a game on the ground and 348 total.
It was a rough debut for Ball State coach Stan Parrish, a 62-year-old promoted from offensive coordinator on Dec. 18 after Brady Hoke left to take over the San Diego State program.
Most of the second half was played in a driving rain, making a comeback attempt by quarterback Nate Davis and Ball State even more difficult.
It might have been the final college game for Davis, who has indicated he was considering skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. He was 9-of-29 passing for 145 yards and lost two fumbles and an interception in the first half. Davis was not made available for interviews after the game. He was 0-for-10 in the second half.
Parrish said he injured his right, throwing hand in the third quarter and was getting it X-rayed after the game.
With that help, Tulsa built a 24-13 halftime lead, with all three touchdowns on plays of at least 30 yards. Ball State hadn't been down going into the locker room this season.
Tulsa marched 87 yards on the opening drive of the second half, capping it with David Johnson's 15-yard touchdown pass to Slick Shelley. Ball State couldn't come close to answering, going three-and-out on all three possessions of the third quarter.
Leading rusher MiQuale Lewis, who gained over 1,700 yards this season, was limited to 35 on 16 carries.
The Cardinals lost their final two games after setting a school mark with 12 wins in a perfect regular season. They earned the first national ranking in program history this season.
"There's no question it tainted our season," Parrish said. "When you come that close to perfection, you want to grab it all."
Davis lost fumbles on Ball State's first two drives, with the first setting up David Johnson's 30-yard touchdown pass to Damaris Johnson across the middle.
Davis redeemed himself with a 17-yard touchdown run to tie it up late in the first quarter.
