Ball State and Kent State entered a Wednesday night matchup in Muncie, IN wielding identical résumés. Led by first-year head coaches, both MAC teams were 3-5 and 2-2 in conference play. Wednesday night would be one of separation, vaulting one a massive step closer to bowl eligibility and the other on the brink of postseason elimination.
As the résumés would suggest, it was a tightly-contested game at Scheumann Stadium, coming down to the final seconds. However, Ball State capitalized on its homefield
advantage, improving to 4-0 in Muncie this year with a 17-13 victory over Kent State.
Despite the lack of scoring, the fourth quarter was nothing short of eventful. Kent State — which entered the game with the fewest field goal attempts in the FBS — secured its first lead with 11:07 remaining as Will Hryszko drained a 28-yarder, turning a 10-0 Ball State lead into a 13-10 Kent State advantage. The Golden Flashes had all the momentum, and it translated to the defensive side as it forced a quick three-and-out. But upon reaching Ball State territory with an opportunity to extend the lead, disaster struck.
Kent State dialed up a trick play where wide receiver Sebastian Brown fielded an end around and threw a pass. While quarterback Dru DeShields was open toward the right sideline on the gadget play, Brown launched it deep into double coverage, where cornerback Joedrick Lewis corralled an interception. Ball State did not capitalize on the turnover though, as Ball State kicker DC Pippin missed his second 50-yard field goal of the second half, keeping Kent State in control.
Three plays later, Kent State faced a 4th and 1 from its 41-yard line, and newly-appointed head coach Mark Carney (who shed the interim label last Thursday) opted to gamble in his own territory. Kent State utilized a wildcat formation which scored its lone touchdown all night, positioning running back Jordan Nubin in the quarterback spot. Then snap flew to the right of Nubin’s hands, dismantling the play before it even started. Nubin scooped up the fumble for a loss of four before Ball State star defensive Nathan Voorhis recorded his second tackle for loss on the night — increasing his season total to 15.
Gifted with new life thanks to Kent State’s second miscue of the fourth quarter, Ball State wouldn’t waste its final shot at the lead. Staring down a 4th and 2 at the Kent State 29-yard line, the Cardinals kept their field goal unit sidelined and kept quarterback Kiael Kelly and the offense on the field. Ball State crafted a perfect misdirection play, directing all the linemen to block toward the right. Meanwhile, tight end Kameron Anthony slipped out to the left, where Kelly dumped it off to him uncontested. Anthony received a free 29-yard stroll to the end zone, handing the Cardinals a 17-13 advantage with 1:53 remaining.
Kent State could not answer. The Golden Flashes reached 4th and 1 from the 38-yard line, but the recurring theme of fourth down struggles sustained for the road team. DeShields’ downfield strike to Cade Wolford hit the ground short of his target, clinching a Ball State victory. Kent State finished 1-of-4 on fourth down tries, with all three failures stemming from 4th and 1s. Ball State wound up cashing in 10 points thanks to recording these crucial stops, taking over inside the 40-yard line both times. Another factor which hampered Kent State was penalties. The Golden Flashes were flagged 10 times for 78 yards and even lost three points due to an illegal formation penalty on a first half field goal, before missing the backed up attempt.
Ball State was out-gained by 63 yards but never turned it over or turned it over downs, while also committing just four penalties. The Cardinals adjusted their offensive strategy with a banged up starting running back Qua Ashley, relying more on the aerial game to lead the attack. Kelly executed, throwing 173 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 53 in the team’s fourth home win of the season.
Kent State (3-6, 2-3 MAC) must win out to qualify for its first bowl game since 2021. The Golden Flashes are vastly improved from their winless 2024 team, and even two of their losses this year were MAC competitions where they led at the 2-minute timeout.
Ball State (4-5, 3-2 MAC) already surpassed its 2024 win total under first-year head coach Mike Uremovich. The Cardinals are alive in the MAC title race, and they’ll close with a schedule of Eastern Michigan, Toledo, and Miami (OH) — hoping to snatch at least two victories to return to bowl eligibility for the first time since 2021.
