MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Nate Davis threw four touchdown passes, and No. 14 Ball State survived a scare from Central Michigan on Wednesday night in a 31-24 victory that gave the Cardinals a school-record for wins in a season.

The victory also clinched a share of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference for Ball State (11-0, 7-0), which has never played in the league title game. The Cardinals can win the division outright with a win over Western Michigan on Nov. 25.

Davis hit Briggs Orsbon in the corner of the end zone from 11 yards out with 7:29 left to give Ball State a 31-24 lead. Central Michigan had a chance to tie the game in the closing minutes, but Dan LeFevour was intercepted by Sean Baker at the Ball State 9 with 35 seconds left to seal it.

Central Michigan (8-3, 6-1) can still reach the conference title game if Ball State stumbles, Western Michigan defeats Eastern Michigan and a number of other tie-breakers come through.