Home Win Streak Snapped in MACtion Opener

Tuesday, November 1

Kent, Ohio

7:00 p.m

Kent State University

3-6 , 2-3

Ball State University

5-4 , 3-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Ball St.

Kent State

Photo by: Scott R. Galvin/Galvin Photo, LLC

11/1/2022 11:56:00 PM | Football

Box Score

KENT- The Golden Flashes had its program-record 12-game home win streak snapped on Tuesday night in a 27-20 setback to Ball State in the #MACtion opener for both teams.

Ball State's Tanner Koziol grabbed an eight-yard pass in the end zone with just over three minutes remaining for what proved to be the game-winning score. The drive answered a 7-play, 65-yard drive by the Flashes that was capped by a 23-yard touchdown run by Marquez Cooper that had tied the game at 20. Cooper finished the night with 168 yards on 32 carries and that touchdown, his 25th of his career, as the Maryland native moved into a tie for 8th on the all-time rushing touchdown list at Kent State.

The Flashes had moved the ball into Cardinal territory looking for the tying score, but quarterback Collin Schlee was ruled a half yard short on his fourth down scramble and Ball State was able to run out the final two minutes.

Kent State jumped out to a 13-0 lead early, taking the opening drive 47 yards into Ball State territory and cashing in a 40-yard field goal from Andrew Glass. Glass hit a 42-yarder minutes later to make it 6-0 after C.J. Harris picked off a deflected pass by Montre Miller on Ball State's opening possession. After another defensive stop, Schlee tossed his only touchdown pass of the night, hitting Devontez Walker on a 14-yard pass to the corner of the endzone. Schlee ended the night with 178 yards passing on 25-of-41 and added another 42 yards on the ground. The Cardinals scored the next 20 points on the night, 17 of them in the second quarter to take a four-point lead into the locker room.

The second half was a defensive battle until the final stages of the fourth, with a lone Ball State field goal the only score until the final six minutes. The Flashes' defense delivered a balanced and strong performance with six guys recording seven or more tackles. Marvin Pierre added two tackles for loss including a sack and Khali Saunders batted a pair of passes down at the line. Punter Josh Smith helped the Flashes win the field possession game, averaging over 44 yards a boot on five punts, landing two inside the 20 and limiting Ball State to a mere three return yards.

Ja'Shaun Poke had a career night, grabbing a personal-best 13 passses for a team-high 87 yards. Ball State was led by Carson Steele's game-high 192 yards on the ground across 29 carries and Jayshon Jackson's 10-catch 102 yard performance in the passing game.

Kent State now sits at 3-6 overall and 2-3 in league play while Ball State improves to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the MAC. The Flashes hit the road next Wednesday, traveling to Bowling Green to meet up with the Falcons, kick time is set for 7 p.m.