Ball State stopped a Kent State drive at midfield to escape with a 27-24 victory Saturday in Muncie.
In an uncharacteristically sloppy game for Ball State, the Cardinals overcame three turnovers and four penalties for 50 yards. A week ago at Virginia Ball State committed zero turnovers and were penalized just once.
Keith Wenning led Ball State on a fourth quarter 5 play 57 yard drive capped by a Willie Snead touchdown on fourth down with just 1:29 remaining. For the game Wenning completed 23 of 46 passes for 305 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. Snead led all receivers with 152 yards on 10 catches and two touchdowns. Leading rusher Jahwan Edwards carried the ball 11 times for 73 yards.
Kent State quarterback Colin Reardon threw for 166 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception in the loss. Reardon was injured on the final drive of the game for the Golden Flashes and was replaced by senior David Fisher. Trayion Durham led all KSU rushers with 77 yards on 23 carries, and Chris Humphrey caught 9 passes for 106 yards.
The game marks the seventh time in seven games this season Wenning has topped 300 yards passing. Last week Wenning became Ball State's all time leading passer. Ball State cornerback Jeffery Garrett picked off a pass for the second consecutive week.
The Cardinals are back in action next week when they travel to Western Michigan. Kent State is on the road again for a game against the South Alabama Jaguars.