KENT, OHIO – Sophomore Matthew Trickett kicked a 22-yard field goal with 19 seconds remaining to send the Kent State Golden Flashes past visiting Ball State 41-38 Saturday afternoon at Dix Stadium.
It was the second consecutive . . .
With the victory, Kent State (5-6, 4-3 MAC) collected its most wins in a season since 2012, when it won the MAC Eastern Division. KSU also finished its 2019 home schedule with a 4-1 record -- the best Dix Stadium mark since that same 2012 season.
With the loss Ball State (4-7, 3-4 MAC) dropped its fourth consecutive game -- all by a combined total of 21 points.
Saturday's battle featured 79 points and 1,273 yards of total offense on a day that started in bright sunshine.
The Cardinals opened scoring midway through the first period as they moved the ball 98 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown. Junior RB Caleb Huntley started the drive with a 54-yard burst down the right sideline and ended the trip with a one-yard blast up the middle.
It was the start of a career day for Huntley, who would finish the afternoon with192 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries.
Late in the first period, KSU tied the score as junior QB Dustin Crum connected with WR Isiah McKoy on a perfect go pattern along the right sideline. The sophomore never broke stride and sprinted into the end zone to tie the score 7-7.
One possession later, Ball State moved in front when senior PK Ryan Rimmler made a 31-yard field goal. The Cardinals then expanded their lead to 10 points one possession later, utilizing a seven-play drive to drive 52 yards. Walter Fletcher took a direct snap from center and scored from six yards out.
The Flashes responded midway through the period with a 91-yards, seven play drive .Once again, Crum used the big play -- this time a 64-yard completion to senior WR Mike Carrigan.
The drive ended when Xavier Williams punched the ball into the end zone from a yard out. It was the sophomore’s fourth touchdown in the last five games.
Just as quickly, junior QB Drew Plitt got the Cards back into the end zone as he put together a 75-yard drive utilizing just four plays . The last was a 32-yarder to Fletcher, giving BSU a 24-21 halftime edge.
In the first 30 minutes, the two teams combined for 45 points and 649 yards of total offense.
KSU started to take control in the third quarter as it took the second half kickoff and moved the ball from its own 23 to the BSU five before finishing with Trickett's first field goal -- a 22-yarder to tie the score 24-24.
The Blue and Gold then took their first lead of the game as Crum capped an 84-yard nine-play drive with a two-yard run up the middle.
In the contest, Crum completed 18-of-26 passes for a career best 369 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Plitt tied the score 31-31 with a one-yard quarterback sneak, capping a 20-play, 97-yard drive which took 8:33 off the clock. It was BSU's second drive of the game of 90 or more yards by BSU.
Crum and the Flashes, however, responded quickly. After a short kickoff, Jamal Parker returned the kick to mid-field. Crum and McKoy then again connected -- a 24-yarder in the right corner of the end zone to put the Flashes back on top 38-31.
Plitt and the Cards would not quit as they took the ensuing kickoff and went 65 yards in eight plays. Huntley scored his second touchdown of the game as he broke through the line and went down the left sideline from 42-yards away to tie the score 38-38 with 4:19 remaining.
Along with his career day rushing, Huntley went over the 1,000 rushing mark for the season with 1,141 yards.
KSU began its final possession on its own 30. The big play was another long pass -- this one to Carrigan for 35 yards to set up the game-winning field goal. Carrigan had six catches for 114 yards in his final home game.
The running of Williams moved the ball over to the center of the field . From there it was up to Trickett, who came into the game leading all place kickers in the MAC with 86 points.
His 22-yard effort was absolutely true, giving Kent State its third win in the last seven encounters against BSU.
One of the keys to the game involved turnovers. BSU came into the game with a +8 turnover ratio, but KSU did not turn the ball over once.
Statistically, LB Mandela Lawrence-Burke led the Flashes with 14 total tackles (seven solo) with a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Ball State was paced by DB Bryce Cosby with 11 total stops (eight solo)
Both teams will end the regulatr season next Saturday. Kent State travels to Eastern Michigan, while Ball State plays host to Eastern Division Champion Miami.