In a season filled with heightened expectations, Ball State University waited until its last four games to live up to them.
But the Cardinals ended the 2006 season with a bang, defeating Kent State University 30-6 Friday. Ball State won its final three conference games - finishing 5-3 in the Mid-American Conference - and gave No. 2 University of Michigan the scare of a lifetime.
"In a lot of ways it has to do with the maturing process," Ball State coach Brady Hoke said. "We really haven't given up, in the last four weeks, big plays. We're doing a better job in the [secondary] and being more aggressive in the front."
Leading the way for Ball State was Larry Bostic, who ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns. In his last three MAC games - against Miami University, the University of Toledo and Kent State - Bostic ran for 351 yards. In the other eight games he played, the senior running back only accounted for 194 rushing yards. Bostic said the credit goes to his teammates.
"It was fun seeing them getting on guys," Bostic said. "They make me look good. It was a great way to end [my career]."
Bostic was named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week Sunday for his efforts.
"Larry really started running north and south and not trying to make that extra cut that scatback guys like to make," Hoke said. "I think he did a good job of sticking his foot in the ground and getting downhill."
Kent State came in with the conference's top passing defense but was no match for Nate Davis and company. The freshman threw for 268 yards and a touchdown. Darius Hill led the way with 116 receiving yards, his largest total since recording 98 yards against Buffalo on Oct. 7.
The Cardinals scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to put the game away. Bostic scored his first touchdown from four yards out with eight minutes to go.
On the next possession, facing a 3rd-and-3 from Kent State's 30-yard line, Davis found Terry Moss open across the middle at the four-yard line. Moss then fought his way into the end zone and pushed the lead to 17-0.
Following a Kent State punt, Davis threw his most memorable pass of the game. On 2nd-and-4 from Kent State's 48-yard line, Davis threw to a streaking Dante Love along the left sideline. The pass appeared to be out of reach, but Love laid out for an over-the-shoulder catch at the seven-yard line.
"After I let go of the ball, I thought I overthrew him," Davis said. "It's just him making a big play. That's what we expect from him."
Bostic scored on the next play to put the game out of reach.
Brian Jackson added a pair of field goals in the second half.
The Ball State defense played its best game of the year statistically, holding the Golden Flashes to 265 yards of offense. Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman accounted for 276 total yards (181 passing, 95 rushing) but erratically threw the ball, and his rushing yards came mostly on avoiding Ball State's pass rush.
"He's the key to their whole offense," linebacker Brad Seiss said. "We did a good job of staying in our gaps, pursuing the ball and making them pay whenever he ran. It definitely showed in the second half. They didn't want to run with him quite as much because he was taking some hits."
Cortlan Booker, who was named MAC West Defensive Player of the Week Sunday, led the way with eight tackles and three tackles for loss.
Senior Joey Lynch started the game at quarterback, playing only the first series and then coming in late for the final few plays.
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