Quick Start by Cardinals Gives Flashes Their First MAC Loss

Saturday, September 29

Muncie, IN

3:00 p.m.

Kent State University

1-4 , 0-1

Ball State

2-3 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Kent State

Ball State

Quick Start by Cardinals Gives Flashes Their First MAC Loss

9/29/2018 7:44:00 PM | Football

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. – Kent State opened Mid-American Conference play with a 52-24 setback to Ball State Saturday at Scheumann Stadium. The Golden Flashes put up 461 yards of total offense, but were plagued by 17 penalties and three turnovers at the wrong times.

The Flashes found themselves in a 21-0 hole late in the first quarter as the Cardinals scored touchdowns on three of their first four drives.

"Credit to Coach Neu, his staff and the kids at Ball State. They did an excellent job," Head Coach Sean Lewis said. "We need to go home, evaluate the tape and see where we can grow. There are a lot of opportunities to do that from this game."

A needed emotional lift came from walk-on tight end Adam Dulka, who made his first career touchdown grab from 12 yards out late in first quarter. Sophomore Woody Barrett's fifth touchdown pass of the season capped off an 11-play, 59-yard drive.

On their next drive, the Flashes cut the lead to 21-10 on a 29-yard field goal by freshman Matthew Trickett. The 11-play drive included five completions by Barrett, including four for first downs.

Ball State gained its momentum back on a double reverse, pitch back to quarterback Riley Neal, resulting in a wide open Kyle Schrank for a 42-yard touchdown.

The Flashes answered with an 11-yard touchdown run by Justin Rankin. The seven-play, 75-yard drive was highlighted by a 40-yard pass from Barrett to Mike Carrigan.

A 78-yard Cardinal scoring drive in the final two minutes of the half was aided by three Kent State penalties, including a pair of 15-yarders.

"There were too many self-inflicted wounds," Lewis said of the first half. "The slow start offensively, the turnovers, the penalties. We needed to do a better job of closing the space on the edge and tackling. It comes down to basic fundamentals and executing our jobs to the best of our abilities."

Trailing 42-17 in the third, Rankin's second score of the game finished off a nine-play, 74-yard drive. A 24-yard carry by Kavious Price and a 21-yard carry by Will Matthews put the Flashes in the redzone.

However, a 13-play drive by the Cardinals in fourth took away valuable time and kept the Flashes' offense off the field.

Barrett finished with career-highs of 30 completions for 314 yards, becoming the first Kent State quarterback with 30 completions in a game since 2014. Freshman Isaiah McKoy finished with a career-high 10 catches, the first Kent State player with 10 catches in a game since 2016.

Rankin rushed for 75 yards and a pair of scores, adding 137 yards in kick returns. Senior linebacker Matt Bahr led the defense with 14 tackles and a sack.

The Flashes host MAC East rival Ohio University Saturday, Oct. 6 at 3:30 p.m., as a part of Kent State's 2018 Homecoming Weekend. Picked as the MAC preseason favorites, the Bobcats are coming off 58-42 win over UMass.