University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Falls to Ball State in Season's Final Game
11/18/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. (NOVEMBER 18, 2000) -- Sophomore tailback Marcus Merriweather rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns to lead Ball State past the visiting Connecticut football team by a score of 29-0 on Saturday afternoon at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana. The loss ends the inaugural Division I-A season for the Huskies, who finished at 3-8. Ball State improves to 5-6 with the victory.
The Cardinals scored in each quarter en route to the victory. Redshirt freshman quarterback Talmadge Hill found sophomore tight end Jon Eckert for a 12 yard touchdown in the first quarter to put Ball State up 7- 0. Merriweather scored on runs of 11 and three yards in the second and fourth quarters, respectively. Sandwiched between the two touchdown runs was a safety by a safety by junior defensive end Bayette George in the third quarter. The Cardinals final score came in the last quarter on a 54 yard jaunt by back Jason Teeters. The touchdown run was on Teeters' only carry of the afternoon.
Sophomore quarterback Chris Willis was 17of 28 through the air for Connecticut, passing for 213 yards. Junior Luke Richmond started for the Huskies, completing three of nine passes for 41 yards. Richmond played into the second quarter but was unable to continue due to a previously sustained thumb injury. Junior wide receiver Steve O'Connor led UConn with 5 catches for 74 yards on the afternoon. Junior tailback Taber Small also had five receptions, gaining 37 yards. The Huskies only scoring attempt came on a blocked 55 yard field goal try by sophomore Geoff Heyl in the first quarter. Connecticut was able to gain just 40 yards rushing on 31 attempts. Freshman Jason Dellaselva had 11 carries for 32 yards.
