If you didn't think a heartbreaking loss in the final minute was going to happen to Ball State at some point this season, you obviously haven't paid attention to this team over the last five weeks.
We saw Eastern Michigan rally back from a 21-point deficit, coming within nine points of tying Ball State before falling just short in the final minutes on Aug. 30.
Two weeks later, we witnessed a game that should never have been as close as it was. Ball State held a 13-point advantage entering the fourth quarter and let Indiana claw its way back to take a 39-38 lead in the final minute.
And on Sept. 22, we watched B.J. Daniels drive South Florida down the field, erase a 12-point deficit and take a 27-24 lead with under five minutes to play in the game.
And the Cardinals were at it again Saturday afternoon at Dix Stadium.
Ball State had just taken an one-point lead and with just over two minutes to go in the game, allowed Kent State, which started at its own 6-yardline, to drive 85 yards downfield and win the game on a 25-yard field goal.
It might be easy to think a loss to Kent State was a fluke. Not so fast. This loss was no fluke. It had nothing to do with luck, either.
This loss was the result of lack of coaching, which led to another horrendous performance by the Ball State defense. This unit, led by defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, allowed over 500 yards of total offense in three consecutive games prior to allowing Kent State to rack up 461 total offensive yards.
That's unheard of.
But in reality, this is what happens every week, and Bateman appears to be stumped.
Ball State's offense has consistently produced every game this season. It's gained 380 or more yards each week. But too often has the offense had to out-perform the defense.
And it showed against Kent State.
Besides watching Kent State score at will, I was puzzled by how little emphasis was put on kick returner and running back Dri Archer. He's the most dangerous return man in the country, averaging well over 42 yards per return.
Why would Ball State even think about kicking to him? It doesn't make too much sense to me.
I'm sure Archer was licking his chops when he saw Scott Secor's second-quarter kickoff coming right to him. So Archer did what he does best; he sprinted 99-yards untouched into the end zone for a touchdown.
I'm sure this unit will tighten up. Coach Pete Lembo is known for having great special teams. I'm not too concerned about it.
Not nearly concerned as I am about Ball State's pass defense and inability to put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Ball State is tied for 91st in the country with six total sacks this season. What's more alarming is Ball State is 114th in the country in passing yards allowed per game - 317.6.
So, for those of you who continue to believe Ball State isn't an average team anymore, you're 100 percent wrong. Sure, Ball State is dangerous offensively. Keith Wenning was surgical against Kent State.
There are major, major problems with this defensive unit, and so many people undermine just how atrocious this group is. It makes me sick to my stomach.
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