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College football, Kent State beats Ball State live scores, recap
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- College football, Kent State beats Ball State live scores, recap
KENT — As it opened Mid-American Conference play Sept. 26, Kent State football showed it can dangerous — particularly with Dru DeShields under center.
DeShields accounted for all three Kent State touchdowns as the Golden Flashes (2-2, 1-0) handled Ball State (1-3, 0-1) 26-13 at Dix Stadium.
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Kent State won its first MAC opener since 2022 and its first game against Ball State since 2019.
While KSU coach Mark Carney said his team would "celebrate the hell out of this," he noted the victory showed KSU's new expectations to win.
DeShields led KSU's offense both ways. He went 16-of-25 passing for 189 yards and two TDs and led the Golden Flashes with 76 yards and TD rushing.
DeShields showed all his tools on Kent's opening touchdown. Under pressure, he rolled right and found Brandon White open for a 7-yard TD pass in the first quarter. It was White's first collegiate TD catch.
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DeShields scored on a 7-yard scramble in the second quarter and tossed a 5-yard TD pass to De'Realyst Clark in the third.
But DeShields didn't have all KSU's highlights.
As time expired in the first half, KSU kicker Sean Leonard nailed a 53-yard field goal with the wind at his back. The kick set a school record for longest field goal.
In the fourth quarter, KSU's defense got in on the fun when safety Joel Cordoba hit Ball State QB Tyler Mizzell, forcing him to fumble the ball out of the end zone for a safety.
Here's how the game went via live updates from Dix Stadium.
Kent State football beats Ball State 26-13
Kent State moves to 2-2, 1-0 in Mid-American Conference. This is the Golden Flashes' first win over Ball State since 2019.
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Kent State football in command as game hits two minute warning
Kent State has third and 10 at the Ball State 37 with two minutes left. One more first down with ice the game.
Ball State football finds end zone on the the ground
Ball State got one score back, but is running out of time.
Cardinals running back Jalen Bonds took a sweep right on fourth down and ran in an 11-yard TD. Ball State's shovel pass on the 2-point conversion attempt fell short, making it 26-13 Kent State with 3:24 left in the game.
Kent State football forces safety on fumble out of end zone
Kent State's defense dialed up pressure with Ball State on its own 3 and it worked to perfection.
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KSU safety Joel Cordoba hit Ball State QB Tyler Mizzell in the end zone and Mizzell fumbled the ball out of the back of the end zone. Kent State stretches the lead to 26-7 with under eight minutes left in the game.
Kent State state answers with DeShields' second TD pass of the day
Taking advantage of a short field with the wind at their backs, the Golden Flashes restored their three-score lead.
QB Dru Deshields hit Da'Realyst Clark falling into the end zone for a 6-yard TD. Sean Leonard nailed the extra point, putting Kent State up 24-7 with 9:44 left in the game.
Kent State maintains 17-7 over Ball State after three quarters
Ball State got on the board, but the Cardinals have a long way to go. Ball State will open the fourth quarter with third and 5 at its own 10.
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Ball State football gets on board with passing TD
After playing with a short field, Ball State got its first score of the game.
QB Tyler Mizzell hit Donovan Hamilton at the goal line and Hamilton leaned into the end zone for a 7-yard TD. Body Boehm hit the PAT, cutting Kent State's lead to 17-7 with 6:45 left in the third quarter.
Ball State opens second half with fourth punt of the game
The Cardinals got two first downs before stalling out again. After a holding penalty on the punt, Kent State will start at its own 3 yard line.
Field goal to end half was new Kent State record
Kent State sports information confirms Sean Leonard's 53-yard field goal to end the half was the longest field goal in KSU history. Leonard is a redshirt freshman from Xenia.
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Halftime stats from Kent State-Ball State football
Kent State dominated the first half with a 233-71 edge in total yards.
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Kent State - 118 yards rushing, 115 yards passing. Leaders: Dru DeShields 10-of-15 for 118 yards, 1 TD; DeShields 7 rushes, 56 yards, 1 TD; Da'Realyst Clark, 4 catches, 56 yards.
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Ball State - 41 rushing yards, 30 passing yards. Leaders: Tyler Mizzell 5-of-8 30 yards; Jalen Bonds 7 rushes, 28 yards; Donovan Hamilton, 3 catches, 21 yards.
Kent State football ends first half with long FG from Sean Leonard
The Golden Flashes worked the clock to perfection, as kicker Sean Leonard nailed a career-long field goal to end the first half.
Despite Kent State being called for a false start the play before, Leonard had plenty of leg to hit a 53-yard FG as time expired.
Kent State will take 17-0 lead into the half. Ball State will receive the second half kickoff.
Kent State forces Ball State to punt at two-minute warning
Kent State will get the ball back with a chance to run a 2-minute drill after forcing Ball State QB Tyler Mizzell to throw wild. Ball State will punt from the KSU 47.
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Kent State's Dru DeShields doubles Golden Flashes' lead
Golden Flashes QB Dru DeShields is known as dual threat quarterback. He showed why on KSU's 11-play, 93-yard scoring drive.
After a 37-yard pass and a 25-yard scramble, DeShields capped the drive with a 7-yard scramble to the right for the TD. Sean Leonard hit the PAT to make it 14-0 KSU with 5:40 left in the second quarter.
Kent State football leads Ball State 7-0 after the first quarter
Kent State leads after the Dru DeShields to Brandon White.TD. Ball State starting to the drive. The Cardinals start the second quarter with second and seven at own 48.
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Kent State football opens the scoring through the air
Kent State football capped an impressive 11-play, 74-yard drive with its first touchdown since Week 2.
Golden Flashes QB Dru DeShields rolled left and found Brandon White open in the end zone for a 7-yard score. Sean Leonard nailed the extra point to give the Flashes a 7-0 lead with 4:20 left in the first quarter.
Kent State football driving thanks to the ground game
The Golden Flashes have three first downs on this drive, thanks in large part to the ground game. Injury timeout as Balls State's Kameron Chamble walks off under his own power.
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Kent State football gets one first down, but opening drive stalls
Kent State opened with a first down on its opening drive, but stalled at midfield. The Golden Flashes punted to the Ball State 13. Ball State goes three and out.
Ball State kicks opening kickoff goes out of bounds
Kent State starts at its own 35 after Brody Boehm kicked it out of bounds at the 5.
Ball State football wins coin toss and defers; Kent State to receive
Ball State won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Kent State to receive and defend the south goal in the first quarter.
Weather conditions excellent for Kent State-Ball State football
Conditions are just about perfect at Dix Stadium. Mostly sunny with a big of wind comeing from the north and temperatures in the high 60s.
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Kent State wearing the home blue uniforms with white letters, numbers and helmets with the yellow lightning bolt trim. Ball State in all white uniforms and helmets with red letters and numbers with black trim.
What is the history of Kent State-Ball State football?
Ball State and Kent State first played each other in 1977. The MAC rivals have played 33 times, with Ball State holding a 25-8 edge in the series. The Cardinals have won the last four meetings.
Kent State will look for its first win over the Cardinals since 2019 when it won 41-38.
Who are the head coaches for Kent State and Ball State football?
Kent State is in its second season under Mark Carney. Carney is 6-9 as KSU head coach.
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Bals State in its second season under Mike Uremovich. Uremovich's record is 5-10 at Ball State and 28-21 overall.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle John Walker (55) pressures Kent State Golden Flashes quarterback Dru DeShields (12) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sept. 19, 2026.
Key players for Kent State football
KSU QB Dru DeShields is back under center for the for the Golden Flashes after a solid season in 2025. DeSheils finished with 18 passing TDs (third best in the MAC), while leading the MAC with 14.9 yards per completion last year. Jakorion Caffey will likely get the start at running back. The Golden Flashes will look to switch a trend from the first three weeks, after being outscored 131-39.
Michael Leonard can be reached at mleonard@recordpub.com.
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: College football, Kent State beats Ball State live scores, recap
