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    Result, findings from the road damage to Vanderbilt
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    Result, findings from the road damage to Vanderbilt

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    2 minutes, 33 seconds Read

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Ball State football fought hard but ultimately failed to pull off a major upset on the road. The Cardinals lost to Vanderbilt 24-14 on Saturday at FirstBank Stadium.

    Ball State (2-5) had the score tied at 14 points early in the fourth quarter. The defense played its best game yet and the offense put up some nice shots on goal, but ultimately couldn't score points in the fourth quarter as Vanderbilt (5-2) pulled away.

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    The Cardinals kept it closer than anyone expected. Vanderbilt was the favorite by 27.5 points, but didn't even manage to score that many points. Despite the loss, the hard-fought competition should give Ball State some confidence heading into the MACtion roster.

    Here are the key takeaways from Ball State football's loss to Vanderbilt:

    Ball State football is coming out with momentum

    Ball State received the opening kickoff and immediately went on a long scoring spree. The Cardinals recovered the ball 75 yards on 11 plays, winning the first with 6:54 left on the game clock. Quarterback Kadin Semonza completed all six of his passes on the drive, and Kiael Kelly capped the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run on a straight snap.

    The touchdown on the first drive was only the second time Ball State scored a touchdown on its first drive this season. The first came the previous week against Kent State, but was set up by an interception and only went for 35 yards. This week, Ball State managed to gain 75 yards against an SEC defense to gain an early advantage.

    Ball State's defense is playing its best game

    It didn't make the stat sheet, but Ball State's defense may have played its best game of the season.

    The Cardinals gave up 24 points to a Vanderbilt offense that had scored 30 or more points in four of its six previous games. They forced the Commodores to settle for field goals inside the 20-yard line three times and constantly put pressure on QB Diego Pavia. The pass defense had some coverage errors, but also broke up four passes.

    Big night for tight ends

    Ball State's Tanner Koziol has been Semonza's favorite target this season, and that didn't change against Vanderbilt. Koziol caught nine of his 10 targets for 68 yards and a touchdown. He also became just the fourth Ball State tight end to record 50 catches in a single season, doing so in just the seventh game.

    On the other hand, the Cardinals defense struggled to slow down Pavia's favorite target, Eli Stowers. The graduating senior tight end finished the game with eight catches for 130 yards and a touchdown.

    What’s next for Ball State football?

    Ball State will return to Muncie to host the Northern Illinois Huskies (4-3, 1-2 MAC) at Scheumann Stadium on Saturday, October 26th.

    Contact Cade Hampton by email at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CadeHamp10.

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