KENT, Ohio — On a day when the Kent State offenseoutgained Ball State's 365-302, it was actually the Cardinalsthat pitched the second-half shutout.
Ball State finally got the third quarter of play that it'sbeen looking for all year, and the Cardinals came from behind tospoil the Flashes' homecoming, 34-17.
The Cards outscored Kent State 20-0 in the second half, as thedefense came up with five stops in its own territory — threeturnovers and two missed field goals, including a block.
"It was a great defensive effort," said outsidelinebacker Lorenzo Scott, who blocked the field goal and forced afumble. "Today it was amazing, getting stop afterstop."
The first big stop actually came in the second quarter with thescore tied, 7-7. After Philip Ems punted 52 yards to the Kent28-yard line, the Cardinals forced a three-and-out. David Gaterbroke through and blocked the punt, and Justin Beriault returned it14 yards to the 5. Scott Blair ran in for the score on the nextplay with 11:01 left.
The Flashes took the lead back in less than four minutes. TravisMayle kicked a 46-yard field goal, and a Blair fumble at the 15preceeded Joshua Cribbs' 16-yard scoring pass to DarrellDowery, making it 17-14 with 7:04 to go.
Even though Cribbs was hobbled by a twisted ankle for the secondstraight week, Ball State coach Brady Hoke said the Flashes'option plays were still hurting the Cardinals.
"We were a little tentative instead of beingaggressive," Hoke said of defending Cribbs. "I thinkthey ran more option than we anticipated. When the quarterbackruns, we've got to make him pay."
Kevin Beverly took another pitch 23 yards to the Ball State 11early in the third quarter, setting up Mayle for a 28-yard attempt.But Scott leaped and got a hand on the kick.
"Justin (Beriault) and I, we haven't tried that leaptoo often," Scott said, "but the defensive line got agreat surge."
Kent State had outgained BSU 228-104 at the time, but theCardinals were still within 17-14.
That soon changed, as Ball State marched 80 yards in nine plays.Talmadge Hill lofted a 41-yard pass down the left sideline tofreshman Bryan Williamson, who dived into the end zone after thecatch for the touchdown, putting the Cards in front (21-17) forgood.
For an offense that had been struggling and never did move theball consistently, Hill said the pass was sorely needed.
"It was definitely a boost," said the seniorquarterback, who had thrown 15 yards to Larry Bostic for theCards' first touchdown. "Not just because we scored,but more importantly because it was an adjustment we made. We sawthey were playing man-to-man on the outside and wentdeep."
Four more times the Flashes moved to at least the Ball State 33and came away scoreless. Defensive end Paul Strabavy forced andrecovered one fumble, tackle Conrad Slaughter fell on a cough upcaused by Scott, Mayle popped a 25-yard field goal wide right andDoug Owusu intercepted Cribbs.
Allan Buckley forced another fumble recovered by Strabavy at theKent 31, which Ball State turned into a 42-yard field goal by BrianJackson.
With leading rusher David Alston suffering a season-ending footinjury last week, Kent was forced to use three freshmen backs. Oneof them, Beverly, rushed for a game-high 68 yards and theFlashes' first score, but had two of the fumbles.
"They haven't carried it in traffic or in heat ofthe game," Kent coach Dean Pees said of his backs, "butBall State put a hat on them.
"I'm extremely disappointed in that the things wedid well last week, with turnovers and special teams, it wasexactly the opposite today."
Dante Ridgeway (five catches, 70 yards) fell on a fumble in theend zone after Blair's 24-yard run, and Jackson added a32-yard field goal for Ball State's final two scores. Hillfinished 16-of-27 passing for 164 yards and no interceptions.
"We played much more physical today," Hokesaid. "When we went out today, I didn't know if ourintensity was there and at halftime, I thought we weren'tplaying with toughness. I think we played with more toughness inthe second half."
Tough enough for a shutout.
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