
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
![]() |
TD | 1st Period 11:42 | Israel Polk 19 Yd pass from Ben Finley (Michael Johnson Jr. Pass to Max Whisner for Two-Point Conversion) |
![]() |
TD | 1st Period 6:13 | Kiael Kelly 3 Yd Run (Carson Holmer Kick) |
![]() |
TD | 1st Period 0:45 | Kiael Kelly 26 Yd Run (Carson Holmer Kick) |
![]() |
TD | 2nd Period 1:26 | Kyan Mason 37 Yd pass from Ben Finley (Matthew Schramm Kick) |
![]() |
TD | 3rd Period 9:54 | Qua Ashley 69 Yd Run (Carson Holmer Kick) |
![]() |
FG | 3rd Period 7:28 | Matthew Schramm 29 Yd Field Goal |
![]() |
TD | 3rd Period 5:52 | Koby Gross 29 Yd pass from Kiael Kelly (Carson Holmer Kick) |
![]() |
TD | 3rd Period 0:24 | Israel Polk 4 Yd pass from Ben Finley (Matthew Schramm Kick) |
![]() |
TD | 4th Period 10:43 | Kiael Kelly 1 Yd Run (Carson Holmer Kick) |
![]() |
FG | 4th Period 5:47 | Matthew Schramm 19 Yd Field Goal |
![]() |
TD | 4th Period 5:34 | TJ Horton 90 Yd Kickoff Return (Carson Holmer Kick) |
Statistics
![]() |
![]() |
|
---|---|---|
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:
College Football News

2025 College Football Week 9 Schedule: Channels, How to Watch
Week 9 of the 2025 college football season has arrived! Top games include Texas A&M-LSU and Missouri-Vanderbilt. Check out the full schedule now.

Judge grants order for Ohio high school athletes to profit on NIL
An Ohio common pleas judge granted a temporary restraining order on Monday, which would allow high school athletes, such as receiver Jamier Brown who has verbally committed to Ohio State, in the state to enter into deals that profit off their talent.

2025 'College GameDay' Week 9: Missouri at Vanderbilt
In Week 9, "College GameDay" visits Nashville, Tennessee for a showdown between Missouri and Vanderbilt. Check out fun facts and how to watch on ESPN now.

CFP committee's Randall McDaniel steps away for rest of year
College Football Playoff selection committee member Randall McDaniel will step away from his role on the committee for personal reasons, but will return next year, the CFP announced Monday, and his seat will not be filled given the timing of the season.

Hugh Freeze: Vote of confidence from Auburn AD would be 'huge'
Auburn's Hugh Freeze said he would welcome a vote of confidence from athletic director John Cohen amid a rough recent stretch in SEC play.