Kent State University
2-2 , 1-0
Ball State University
1-3 , 0-1
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball St. | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| Kent St. | 7 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 26 |
Flashes Open MAC Play With 26-13 Victory Over Ball State
9/26/2026 4:09:00 PM | Football
KENT, Ohio – Dru DeShields threw and rushed for a touchdown, Sean Leonard set a program record with a 53-yard field goal, and the Kent State Golden Flashes opened MAC play with a 26-13 victory over Ball State Saturday afternoon at Dix Stadium. The Flashes improved to 2-2 overall, and 1-0 in MAC play in front of 11,059 fans, while the Cardinals fell to 1-3, 0-1.
It marked Kent State's first MAC-opener win since October 1, 2022, when the Flashes knocked off Ohio 31-24 at Dix Stadium, and the program's first victory over Ball State since a 41-38 win in Kent on November 23, 2019.
Kent State controlled the tempo from the opening drive, marching 74 yards on 11 plays before DeShields found Brandon White on a 7-yard scoring strike, the first touchdown of White's collegiate career, to put the Flashes on top 7-0 midway through the first quarter. The Golden Flashes kept their foot on the gas in the second quarter, stringing together an 11-play, 93-yard march that DeShields capped with a 7-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 14-0. It marked the second time this season DeShields has thrown and rushed for a score in the same game, matching his total from all of last year. With time expiring in the first half, Leonard connected on a 53-yard field goal, shattering the previous program record of 52 yards set by Nate Reed against Central Michigan on October 27, 2007, to give Kent State a 17-0 advantage at the break.
Ball State trimmed the deficit to 17-7 on a Donovan Hamilton touchdown catch late in the third quarter, but the Flashes responded with a pivotal fourth-quarter sequence. DeShields capped a nine-play, 58-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Da'Realyst Clark to push the lead to 24-7, and moments later, the Dark Side Defense delivered a highlight of its own. On Ball State's ensuing possession, Joel Cordoba recorded the first sack of his career, driving Tyler Mizzell into the end zone for a safety, the first for the Flashes since 2018 against Howard, making it 26-7. Ball State added a late touchdown to close the final margin to 26-13, but a game-sealing fourth-down sack by Jaihien Roy in the final minute snuffed out any chance of a Cardinal comeback.
DeShields finished 16-of-25 for 189 yards and two touchdowns through the air while adding 76 yards and a score on the ground for 265 total yards of offense. Clark led all receivers with six catches for 73 yards and the touchdown, the first score of his season, and he now leads the team in receiving in both home games played at Dix Stadium this year. Ardell Banks chipped in two receptions for 58 yards, and Wayne Harris added three catches for 38 yards. On the ground, Mason King carried 11 times for 46 yards while White contributed 26 yards on 10 carries to complement his receiving touchdown.
The Dark Side Defense put in a complete performance. Ball State managed just 46 rushing yards on 27 attempts, the fewest rushing yards allowed by the Flashes all season. The Cardinals converted just 5-of-14 third-down opportunities. Cordoba's career-first sack headlined a defensive effort that also featured two sacks on the final Ball State drive of the game. Cordoba finished with a team-high six tackles, while Derrick Jackson III and Angelo Stockstill each recorded four stops.
Kent State returns home to Dix Stadium for Homecoming against Ohio on Saturday, October 3. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by visiting KSUtix.com.
Kent State Highlights
Brandon White with his FIRST career TD!
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) September 26, 2026
KSU - 7
BSU - 0
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Dru "with the quick feet" DeShields for the TD!!
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) September 26, 2026
KSU - 14
BSU - 0
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?? https://t.co/rWWXAaRCua
?? https://t.co/RFD1JAaMBh#GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS pic.twitter.com/6II2gcXEId
Sean Leonard sets a new program record with a career long 53-yard field goal! ??
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) September 26, 2026
KSU - 17
BSU - 0
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?? https://t.co/RFD1JAaeLJ#GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS pic.twitter.com/AZsvEkeyiP
Da'Realyst Clark with Da'touchdown!
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) September 26, 2026
KSU - 24
BSU - 7
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?? https://t.co/rWWXAaR4EC
?? https://t.co/RFD1JAaeLJ#GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS pic.twitter.com/mKrJEyFyA6
2 FOR 2! Joel Cordoba forces the safety!
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) September 26, 2026
KSU - 26
BSU - 7
?? https://t.co/M0sJxqsBbz
?? https://t.co/rWWXAaRCua
?? https://t.co/RFD1JAaMBh#GoFlashes?? | #HAB1TS pic.twitter.com/CFbgalbaxx
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
BSU 0, KSU 7
KSU - White,Brandon 7 yd pass from DeShields,Dru (Leonard,Sean kick) 11 plays, 74 yards, TOP 06:24
BSU 0, KSU 14
KSU - DeShields,Dru 7 yd run (Leonard,Sean kick), 11 plays, 93 yards, TOP 06:05
BSU 0, KSU 17
KSU - Leonard,Sean 53 yd field goal 10 plays, 39 yards, TOP 01:50
BSU 7, KSU 17
BSU - Hamilton,Donovan 6 yd pass from Mizzell,Tyler (Boehm,Brody kick) 6 plays, 50 yards, TOP 02:30
BSU 7, KSU 24
KSU - Clark,Da'Realyst 5 yd pass from DeShields,Dru (Leonard,Sean kick) 9 plays, 58 yards, TOP 04:24
BSU 7, KSU 26
KSU - 0 yd safety
BSU 13, KSU 26
BSU - Bonds,Jalen 10 yd run (), 9 plays, 72 yards, TOP 02:45
