OXFORD, Ohio — For the first time, Ball State is a perfect 10.

Nate Davis threw for a touchdown and ran for another in a quick-strike offense, and the 14th-ranked Cardinals stayed unbeaten by wearing down the Miami RedHawks for a 31-16 victory last night that made a little bit of school history.

Ball State improved to 10-0 for the first time, with six wins in the Mid-American Conference. The Cardinals matched their school record for victories — they went 10-1 in 1978. Their only perfect season came in 1949, when they won all eight games.

"We're not trying to make history or anything like that," linebacker Bryant Haines said. "We're just focused on a conference championship."

Along that line, they've got an important game up next. Ball State plays at Central Michigan next Wednesday, a game that could decide the MAC's West champion. Last year, Central Michigan had its way in a 58-38 win at Muncie, Ind.

"What they did to us last year in our stadium — everybody's got that in the back of their heads," running back MiQuale Lewis said.

Coach Brady Hoke played on Ball State's other 10-win team in 1978, giving him the best perspective on what this one means.

"It is an accomplishment, but we've got to win the conference championship," he said. "We've weathered 10 storms. We've got two more to go. Believe me, those will be the biggest challenges."

Miami (2-8, 1-5) hasn't beaten a ranked team since Nov. 4, 2003, when Ben Roethlisberger led the RedHawks to an upset of Bowling Green. This one got away from them in the second half, when Lewis had two 1-yard touchdown runs. He finished with 165 yards, one shy of his career high, and caught two passes for 51 yards.

The Cardinals lead the conference in offense and defense. With their exquisite balance, they've won every game by double digits.

ELSEWHERE

California: Sophomore Kevin Riley will be California's (6-3, 4-2 Pac-10) starting quarterback at No. 23 Oregon State (6-3, 5-1) on Saturday in a game with Pac-10 championship implications.

Although Riley and Nate Longshore both have been inconsistent this season for the Golden Bears, Riley finally might have won over coach Jeff Tedford, even after a 4-for-16 performance in relief during Cal's 17-3 loss at Southern California last weekend.

Minnesota: Minnesota junior wide receiver Eric Decker will not play Saturday against Wisconsin because of an ankle injury.

Decker is one of 10 finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's top receiver. He leads the Big Ten with 74 catches, but got hurt on Nov. 1 against Northwestern and barely played last Saturday against Michigan.

Nebraska: Nebraska senior linebacker Cody Glenn has been suspended indefinitely from the team for violating team rules.

Cornhuskers coach Bo Pelini said yesterday he would not elaborate on Glenn's violation. Glenn is the Cornhuskers' third-leading tackler, with 51 stops. He has six tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries and four pass breakups.

Southern Arkansas: Southern Arkansas head football coach Steve Quinn has been fired.

The school announced Quinn's dismissal yesterday. Quinn finished his eighth season as coach Saturday with a 23-16 win over Arkansas-Monticello. The Muleriders ended the season 2-8 and were 39-47 during Quinn's tenure.