by MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State football hosted its only midweek Mid-American Conference (MAC) matchup Wednesday evening as Kent State visited Muncie.
Both the Cardinals and Golden Flashes entered the game with hopes of bowl eligibility still alive. But that dream was likely put to bed for Kent State, as Ball State took the game 17-13.
Here are 3 notes from the game.
Ball State found early success
It did not take long for Ball State to find the scoreboard in their ninth game of the season. Kent State began with the ball, but turned it over on downs as the Red and White stopped the Golden Flashes on fourth and one. With good field position, Ball State went three-and-out, and redshirt senior DC Pippen hit a 25-yard field goal, his first in a Ball State uniform.
On the following drive, Kent State drove down the field in six plays. Though it looked like the Golden Flashes completed a touchdown pass, it was ruled incomplete as redshirt junior defensive back Ashton Whitner knocked the receiver out of bounds to break up the possible score.
Though Kent State kicked a successful field goal, an illegal formation penalty made them kick it again. This time, a 40-yard attempt sailed wide right.
To start the second quarter, Ball State once again found momentum as it put together a 13-play, 50-yard drive. The frame ended as redshirt senior QB1 Kiael Kelly hit redshirt sophomore running back TJ Horton for a one-yard shovel pass, giving the Cardinals a 10-0 lead.
Defensive dominance slowed the game’s progress
Throughout the first half, there was little action beyond the three mentioned scores. Between both teams, there were five punts.
After halftime, the Kent State defense found some success against Ball State’s offensive line. The Golden Flashes recorded two sacks before halftime, and they had two after, taking down Kelly for a total of four.
But it wasn’t just pressure on the quarterback position that slowed the game’s process. Both defenses just had their moments stopping their opponent. Leading up until the third quarter, Kent State had three chances to score inside Ball State’s 25-yard line.
But each time, the Cardinals held them, only allowing three points.
Late game chaos
The fourth try inside Ball State’s 25-yard line was the charm for Kent State as a touchdown rush from junior running back Donovan Delaney Jr. tied the game, 10-10. This came as the Cardinals failed to find the type of momentum they played with in the opening half.
However, the final period saw typical MAC football, and a switch up from the rest of the half.
The lack of positive play for Ball State was something Kent State used to its advantage. After a missed 50-yard field goal from Pippen, the Golden Flashes answered with their own field goal try. The 28-yard kick was good, giving them a 13-10 lead with 10:54 remaining in the game.
On the ensuing possession, the Red and White missed a 49-yard field goal, giving the ball right back to Kent State. But then the Golden Flashes matched their opponents’ mistakes by fumbling the ball on fourth down.
The Cardinals then found themselves facing a fourth and two on the drive with two minutes left in the game. Electing to go for it, Kelly dropped back to pass. On a crossing route, Ball State redshirt freshman tight end Kameron Anthony found himself wide open, catching the ball and taking it for a 29-yard touchdown score.
Ball State led 17-13.
But the Cardinals still needed to stop the Golden Flashes one last time. They did just that as the Red and White stopped Kent State on fourth and one with 14 seconds remaining.
Ball game.
Ball State will return to the field Saturday, Nov. 15, in Muncie against Eastern Michigan. Kickoff is set for noon.
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu, zachcarter039@gmail.com or via X @ZachCarter85.
