by Kent, Ohio – Week 7 MACtion got started early on Saturday with a noon kickoff from Kent State. The Golden Flashes were looking to get their first win of the season and just their second under Head Coach Kenni Burns. They would have the game within reach at the end but would eventually fall short.
Ball State’s ground game was a crucial factor in the game. The team combined for 191 yards on the ground and 3 touchdowns. Braedon Sloan led the way with 76 yards on 22 carries as he found the end zone twice.
Ball State got off to a fast start on both sides of the ball. On the 3rd play from scrimmage, CB Willizhuan Yates picked off the first Kent State pass attempt of the game. Just 5 quick plays later, Braedon Sloan found the end zone on a 2-yard run to put the Cardinals up early.
After the defense forced a quick 3-and-out, Ball State’s offense went right back to work. They marched down the field with ease. However, a sack on 3rd down stopped them short of the end zone. They would extend their lead with a 34-yard field goal from Jackson Courville to make it 10-0.
The ensuing Kent State drive looked promising as they were driving near midfield. Ball State had other plans though as they forced a stop on 4th and short to take possession over at the Golden Flashes’ 49.
The Cardinals were not able to capitalize on their defensive stop as they were quickly forced to punt after going 3-and-out.
Kent State’s drives were getting better throughout the quarter and would continue to do so on their 4th series of the quarter. A 4-play, 74-yard scoring drive was set up by a 53-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski to Luke Floriea. On the first play of the 2nd quarter, the drive would be capped off by a 24-yard TD pass from Ulatowski to Chrishon McCray. Following the PAT, the Golden Flashes trailed 10-7.
After trading punts, Ball State was set up with great field position at the Kent State 44 yard line. This time, they were able to make the most of their start. A 44-yard drive that took 6 plays ended in Braedon Sloan scoring his 2nd TD of the game from a yard out. This put the Cardinals’ lead to 17-7.
On their next drive, Ball State marched down the field deep into Kent State territory. Jackson Courville was called upon once again after the Cardinals’ offense could not find the end zone. He extended the lead with a 35-yard field goal to give Ball State a 20-7 lead heading into the break.
Ball State got right back to it on the offensive end to start the 3rd quarter. A methodical 11-play drive spanned 75 yards of the field. Quarterback Kadin Semonza found wide receiver Quin Magwood for a 13-yard touchdown pass to cap off the drive.
The Golden Flashes came right back on their ensuing drive. Ky Thomas authored the run game as he carried the ball 4 times for 39 yards on the drive. The last 4 ended with him finding the end zone for six.
Kent State’s defense would come alive as they allowed punts on each of the next 2 Ball State drives. In between those stops, the Golden Flashes were driving and looking to cut into the Cardinals’ lead. However, history would repeat itself and they were stopped on 4th down to give the ball back over to Ball State.
Their next drive would be the start of a wild 4th quarter. On a 3rd and 24, Kent dialed up a long ball as Chrishon McCray reeled in a one-handed catch. McCray would take it all the way to the house for a 63-yard touchdown. The PAT would make the score 27-21 and the Golden Flashes were within one score.
The Cardinal offense was once again able to march down the field into Kent State territory. Unable to finish the drive with six, Jackson Courville came through again with a 36-yard field goal. The Cardinals had pushed their lead back to a 2-score game at 30-21.
Kent State was not out of the game yet, however. With 1:28 left in the game, Luke Floriea hauled in a touchdown pass from 18 yards out. It was suddenly a 2-point game after the PAT at 30-28.
The ensuing kickoff was an onside attempt by the Golden Flashes. Kent State recovered the ball and returned it deep into Ball State territory to set up what could have been a game-winning drive. However, after conversation from the referees, it was deemed that the ball had not traveled 10 yards. With that being the case, an illegal touching penalty was called on Kent State and the kick would be retried.
Ball State recovered the next attempt and were set up to ice the game. Instead of taking time off the clock, the Cardinals opted for a score. On the second play of their drive, Vaughn Pemberton took a handoff 41 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. With the PAT kicked through, the Cardinals were up 37-28 with 1:13 to go in the game.
On the ensuing Kent drive, it appeared that they would be heading off the field without recording a first down after failing a 4th down conversion. However, a roughing the passer penalty gifted them 15 yards and a new set of downs. On the very next play, Chrishon McCray caught a pass on a shallow crossing route about 5 yards down field. McCray would follow that up by weaving through defenders and breaking tackles as he took the ball down the field. He would finish the play with what could only be described as a SportsCenter Top 10 worthy play as he blew past his last defender into the end zone.
The play was credited as a 57-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Ulatowski to McCray. McCray would finish the game with an impressive stat line of 8 catches for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns. With 30 seconds to go in the game, the Golden Flashes trailed 37-35.
A final onside kick attempt would not be successful, and Ball State would kneel out the game. The hard-fought 4th quarter would end in another loss for Kent State and just the second victory for Ball State.
