Tick. Tick. Tick.
If you looked up at the video board at FAU Stadium Saturday, there was a good chance it was counting down from 30:00 after another round of lightning streaked across the sky.
It was all but impossible to seize and hold momentum. The delays felt closer an hour, and the fourth and final one came right after Ball State's defense came up with a big stop on 4th-and-1 with 5:33 left in the game and the Cardinals trailing Florida Atlantic 27-24.
FAU rushing yards: 121
Ball State tackles for loss: 11
FAU tackles for loss: 2
When play resumed, Ball State marched downfield until sophomore quarterback Riley Neal scored the go-ahead touchdown with just under two minutes left, and Ball State escaped with a 31-27 victory over Florida Atlantic to improve to 3-1.