Mount Pleasant, MI -- (Sports Network) - Nate Davis threw four touchdowns and MiQuale Lewis rushed for 177 yards as the 14th-ranked Ball State Cardinals stayed perfect on the season with a 31-24 decision over Central Michigan in an exciting Mid-American Conference bout.

Davis notched just 175 passing yards on 12-of-22 efficiency in cold, windy conditions that saw the occasional snowfall, but it was enough for Ball State (11-0, 7-0 MAC) to improve the best start in program history while moving a step closer to a MAC title.

Both of Louis Johnson's catches went for touchdowns, while Briggs Orsbon and Daniel Ifft brought down the other scores for the Cardinals, who play Western Michigan in their regular-season finale next Tuesday.

Dan LeFevour did all he could in an effort to clinch the Chippewas (8-3, 6-1) third straight MAC West Division title, passing for 345 yards and two touchdowns on 30-of-44 attempts while rushing for a team-high 75 yards on 24 carries. But his interception in the closing seconds proved costly in snapping CMU's six-game winning streak.

Kito Poblah caught five balls for 110 yards and a touchdown, while kicker Andrew Aguila missed 2-of-3 field goal attempts in the loss.