Ben Finley passed for nearly 300 yards and Jordan Grant ran for nearly 100 yards, but it wasn't enough Oct. 18 for Akron in a 42-28 Mid-American Conference loss at Ball State .
The Zips (2-6, 1-3) led 15-14 at halftime and trailed just 35-28 when Matthew Schramm made a 19-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter. But TJ Horton returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown with 5:34 to play to all but clinch victory for the Cardinals .
Finley completed 22 of 40 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns with two costly interceptions, both in the fourth quarter. He capped the Zips' opening drive with a 19-yard TD pass to Israel Polk , and a two-point conversion pass from Michael Johnson Jr. to Max Whisner gave UA an 8-0 lead.
After Ball State scored twice to take a 14-8 lead, Finley finished a 96-yard drive with a 37-yard TD pass to Kyan Mason to put the Zips in front by a point at halftime.
With the Cardinals threatening to pull away in the second half, Finley completed a 4-yard TD pass to Polk late in the third quarter to pull Akron within 28-25.
Grant carried the ball 19 times for 94 yards, with a long run of 27 yards. Tim Grear Jr. led the the Zips with four catches for 87 yards, and Polk had five for 72 yards and the two scores.
Akron led 419-374 in total yards, including 291-158 through the air.
The Zips host Buffalo at 1 p.m. Oct. 25.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Costly mistakes doom Akron Zips in MAC loss to Ball State
