Ball State defeats Southeast Missouri

MUNCIE | Cory Sykes rushed for two touchdowns and Ball State beat Southeast Missouri State 27-10 Thursday night.

The Cardinals, who won a season-opener for the first time since 2008, rolled up 243 yards on the ground led by Eric Williams. Williams rushed for a career-high 105 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries. Sykes added 70 yards on 14 carries.

It was the Cardinals' best rushing effort since they rolled up 463 yards at Eastern Michigan last year.

Ian McGarvey added two field goals for the Cardinals (1-0).

The Redhawks' Mike Jones rushed for a touchdown in the waning minutes of the first quarter. But Southeast Missouri (0-1) didn't score again until Drew Geldbach added a field goal with less than six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Redhawks were limited to 237 yards of total offense.

Ohio State 45, Marshall 7 | It was as if the Rose Bowl never ended for Terrelle Pryor.

The Ohio State star tossed three touchdown passes, Brandon Saine ran for 103 yards and two scores and the second-ranked Buckeyes rolled over error-prone Marshall in a tuneup for a big date with Miami.

Pryor completed 17 of 25 passes for 247 yards and TDs covering 6 and 11 yards to DeVier Posey and 65 yards to Dane Sanzenbacher before 105,040 at Ohio Stadium. The last time Ohio State fans saw Pryor playing, he was having the game of his career and leading the Buckeyes to a 26-17 win against Oregon at Pasadena, Calif., in January.

Sure the competition wasn't as good Thursday night, but the Heisman Trophy contender was Rose Bowl sharp against the Thundering Herd.

The Buckeyes, who haven't lost a home opener since 1978, next play on Sept. 11 against No. 13 Miami, which coasted past Florida A&M 45-0.

No. 13 Miami 45, Florida A&M 0 | Jacory Harris looked more than ready for Miami's long-awaited trip to Ohio State.

Harris completed 12 of 15 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns before sitting out the second half, and the 13th-ranked Hurricanes got their first shutout since 2006 by beating overmatched Florida A&M to open the season.

Leonard Hankerson caught the first two of Harris' TD passes and finished with 115 receiving yards, as the Hurricanes (1-0) ran out to a 35-0 lead in the first 25 minutes and wound up outgaining Florida A&M 405-110.

Looming for Miami: A trip next Saturday to visit the second-ranked Buckeyes, the first meeting between the schools since the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, where Ohio State denied the Hurricanes what would have been their second straight national championship in a game best remembered for a late pass interference call in overtime.

News and notes

Ruffer beats out Tausch | David Ruffer will be Notre Dame's No. 1 kicker for the home opener against Purdue on Saturday after beating out sophomore Nick Tausch.

Taush made a school-record 14 straight field goals during a stretch last season but missed the final three games after injuring his foot.

Ruffer, who transferred to Notre Dame from William & Mary after the 2007-08 school year, didn't miss a field goal in five attempts a year ago. Along with field goals, he will also kick off.

Coach Brian Kelly also listed tight end Mike Ragone as "doubtful" for Saturday's game. Ragone, a senior from Camden, N.J., is still experiencing headaches, vertigo issues and an ear infection. He spent the night in the hospital earlier in the preseason while recovering from heat illness.

Tides' Dareus ruled ineligible for two games | Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus has been declared ineligible for two games for accepting nearly $2,000 in improper benefits during two trips to Miami.

An NCAA ruling Thursday also ordered Dareus, defensive MVP of the national championship game, to pay $1,787 dollars to a charity of his choice before regaining eligibility. The top-ranked Crimson Tide opens Saturday night against San Jose State and then hosts No. 19 Penn State. Alabama will already be without Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram (knee injury) for at least the opener.

Dareus was ruled ineligible for receiving preferential treatment and agent benefits, including airfare, lodging, meals and transportation during the Miami trips.