Akron Zips at Ball State Cardinals
· NCAA - FootballHorton's kickoff return ensures Ball State's 42-28 win over Akron
Kiael Kelly ran for three touchdowns and passed for another with Qua Ashley rushing for 143 yards on 20 carries for the Cardinals (3-4, 2-1 Mid-American Conference).
Horton's return came after an Akron field goal that had got the Zips within a touchdown with under six minutes remaining.
The Cardinals trailed 15-14 at halftime before Ashley's 69-yard run gave Ball State the lead for good with 10 minutes left in the third quarter. The Cardinals kept the Zips (2-6, 1-3) at bay with Kelly's 29-yard touchdown throw to Koby Gross and Kelly's 1-yard run in the fourth quarter to cap a 75-yard drive.
Ben Finley passed for 291 yards and three touchdowns — two to Israel Polk — for the Zips but was intercepted twice. Jordan Gant had 94 yards rushing.
There was a weather delay midway through the fourth quarter.
How To Watch
How can I watch Akron Zips vs. Ball State Cardinals?
- TV Channel: Zips at Cardinals 2021 College Football, week 8, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
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TD | 1st Period 11:42 | Israel Polk 19 Yd pass from Ben Finley (Michael Johnson Jr. Pass to Max Whisner for Two-Point Conversion) |
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TD | 1st Period 6:13 | Kiael Kelly 3 Yd Run (Carson Holmer Kick) |
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TD | 1st Period 0:45 | Kiael Kelly 26 Yd Run (Carson Holmer Kick) |
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TD | 2nd Period 1:26 | Kyan Mason 37 Yd pass from Ben Finley (Matthew Schramm Kick) |
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TD | 3rd Period 9:54 | Qua Ashley 69 Yd Run (Carson Holmer Kick) |
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FG | 3rd Period 7:28 | Matthew Schramm 29 Yd Field Goal |
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TD | 3rd Period 5:52 | Koby Gross 29 Yd pass from Kiael Kelly (Carson Holmer Kick) |
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TD | 3rd Period 0:24 | Israel Polk 4 Yd pass from Ben Finley (Matthew Schramm Kick) |
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TD | 4th Period 10:43 | Kiael Kelly 1 Yd Run (Carson Holmer Kick) |
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FG | 4th Period 5:47 | Matthew Schramm 19 Yd Field Goal |
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TD | 4th Period 5:34 | TJ Horton 90 Yd Kickoff Return (Carson Holmer Kick) |
Statistics
AKR |
BALL |
|
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 1st Downs | 17 |
| 2-12 | 3rd down efficiency | 4-13 |
| 1-4 | 4th down efficiency | 0-1 |
| 419 | Total Yards | 374 |
| 291 | Passing | 158 |
| 22/40 | Comp/Att | 11/20 |
| 7.3 | Yards per pass | 7.9 |
| 128 | Rushing | 216 |
| 35 | Rushing Attempts | 45 |
| 3.7 | Yards per rush | 4.8 |
| 9-74 | Penalties | 6-50 |
| 2 | Turnovers | 2 |
| 0 | Fumbles lost | 1 |
| 2 | Interceptions thrown | 1 |
| 28:08 | Possession | 31:52 |
Game Information
Location: Muncie, IN
Attendance: 12,248 · Capacity:
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