Watson scores in overtime as UMass beats Ball State

William Watson III rushed 13 yards for a touchdown in overtime, giving Massachusetts a 31-30 win over Ball State on Wednesday night in Amherst, Mass.

Ball State quarterback Keldric Luster ran two yards for a score with 25 seconds remaining in regulation. The play ended a 75-yard, nine-play drive that tied the game at 24. Jalen Bonds, who carried the ball 17 times for 132 yards, ran one yard for a touchdown on the first overtime possession for the Cardinals. Brody Boehm’s subsequent extra-point kick sailed wide left.

Derek Morris kicked the extra point for UMass in overtime. He had missed a 36-yard attempt in the first quarter but connected on a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter. Watson completed 17 of 25 passes for 302 yards. He threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Jabari Lewis just before halftime to extend the lead to 14-10. Watson also ran one yard for a touchdown with 2:31 left in the third quarter, putting UMass up 21-17.

Curtis Kimmons rushed for 85 yards for the Minutemen, who improved to 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the Mid-American Conference. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak. Elijah Faulkner scored from one yard out for UMass. Luster completed 17 of 27 passes for 182 yards and threw one touchdown for Ball State, which fell to 3-6 overall and 2-3 in the MAC.

Ball State will host Buffalo at home next Wednesday. UMass will travel to play Toledo next Wednesday.