The Ball State Cardinals came back from a two-score deficit in the fourth quarter, but Kent State had the last laugh with a late field goal to win, 45-43, on Saturday. Kent State blew a 13-point lead and fell behind late in the fourth quarter, but answered with a long drive from their own six to get into field goal range for the win.
Ball State vs. Kent State 2012 final score: Golden Flashes win on late FG, 45-43
Kent State went on a long drive to win with a field goal after coughing up a fourth-quarter lead on Saturday afternoon.
Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire
The Golden Flashes held the lead for most of the day after going up 14-7 on a 99-yard kickoff return by Dri Archer in the second quarter. That came immediately after the Cardinals tied the game on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Keith Wenning to Jamill Smith.
Kent Slate maintained their lead by responding to everything Ball State threw at them, including at the end of the game.
After the Golden Flashes extended their lead to 42-29 on an eight-play, 76-yard touchdown drive capped by a 1-yard run from Traylon Durham, Ball State started their comeback.
The Cardinals followed with an eight-play, 76-yard touchdown drive their own. Wenning connected with Wille Sneed on a 19-yard score to pull Ball State within six.
It didn't take long for Ball State to score again, as Kent State quarterback Spencer Keith threw an interception, setting up the Cardinals at the 21. They scored two plays later to take their first lead at 43-42.
After exchanging possessions, Kent State was able to go on a 15-play, 86-yard drive to set up kicker Freddy Cortez for the game-winning 25-yard field goal with six seconds left.
Box Score Hero: Wenning threw for 445 yards and five touchdowns in a losing effort.
Rankings Ramifications: Neither team is ranked, and neither team is likely to be ranked this week.
But Did They Cover? Ball State was favored by 2½, so they obviously failed to cover.
For More On This Game: For more on MAC football, visit MAC blog Hustle Belt.
Next Week’s Schedule: Kent State visits Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday, while Ball State hosts Northern Illinois at 3 p.m.
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