Kent State University
Ball State University
Flashes Wrap Road Slate at Ball State
11/17/2023 1:27:00 PM | Football
KENT- The Golden Flashes wrap up the road portion of the regular season this weekend, traveling to Muncie, Indiana to take on the Ball State Cardinals.
It will be the first trip for the Golden Flashes since a trek out to the Hoosier state in 2018. The Flashes will be looking for their first win in Muncie since 2001 and fourth all time in program history.
Tommy Ulatowski has thrived since taking over the starting quarterback slot when Michael Alaimo got injured. He has set career-bests in back-to-back games, tossing three touchdowns in the Wagon Wheel game, then 284 yards against Bowling Green. His 3.5 touchdown-to-interception ratio is second-best in the Mid-American Conference.
He's developed a quick chemistry with Luke Floriea who has grabbed 13 passes over the last two games, including a career-best nine catches against Bowling Green. Trell Harris also had one of his best games of the season last week, grabbing five passes for 78 yards. Jaylen Thomas and Gavin Garcia have been averaging four yards a carry. It will be a matchup of two of the better rush defenses in the MAC with the Flashes (third) and Cardinals (fourth) in rush defense in the MAC.
Ball State wants to run the ball, ranking last in the MAC in passing yards per game at 132. Quarterback Kiael Kelly is a dual threat, averaging nearly 70 yards on the ground per game and over five yards per carry. He also threw for 115 yards on 15 completions in the win over Northern Illinois last week. The main targets have been Qian Magwood and Ahmad Edwards, both averaging over 10 yards per catch, Edwards was the main target last week against NIU. The main cog of the offense is a familiar face to the Golden Flash faithful as Marquez Cooper, leads the Cardinals' rushing attack. He ran for 99 yards against NIU last week and averages 76 yards a game on 4.5 yards a carry.
Defensively, the Cardinals have two of the top players in the MAC in tackles for loss, with Sidney Houston and Cole Pearce ranking third and fourth, respectfully. Houston also has a team-best 5.5 sacks this season, one of three players with three-plus sacks on the year.
Saturday's game will air on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Marcus Ray on the call. Fans can also catch the game on 1220AM WHKW and the Kent State Radio Network starting at 1:30 p.m. with Rob Polinsky and Tom Evans on the call.
Kent State will head back home next Saturday to welcome in Northern Illinois. Kick-off is set for noon.
