NDL: S31W5 - Marshall (45) at Ball State (49)
Marshall @ Ball State
Article By: In a thrilling NCAA game, the Ball State Cardinals edged out the Marshall Thundering Herd with a 49-45 victory, thanks to a dramatic fourth-quarter surge. Here's a breakdown of the action:
Game Overview:
The game started closely, with both teams trading blows. The Marshall Thundering Herd held a narrow 7-point lead after the first quarter but was outscored in the second quarter, leaving the game tied at 31-31 heading into the second half. Despite a strong offensive performance throughout, Marshall was unable to capitalize on its earlier success, and Ball State made a strong push in the fourth quarter to steal the win.
Offensive Highlights:
Braylon Braxton, Marshall’s quarterback, had an incredible performance, completing 39 of 46 passes for 458 yards and 6 touchdowns. His connection with Elijah Metcalf, who had 13 receptions for 167 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Tychaun Chapman, who added 10 receptions for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns, was electric. However, Braxton also threw 1 interception, which came back to haunt him as the game went on.
On the ground, A.J. Turner led the rushing attack for Marshall with 124 yards on 14 carries, but the team's ground game was unable to balance out their high-flying aerial offense.
For Ball State, their quarterback Drew Plitt was efficient, throwing for 501 passing yards and 4 touchdowns, while Justin Hall made big plays with 8 receptions for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Cardinal offense was aggressive and opportunistic, scoring late when it mattered most.
The Fourth Quarter:
The biggest shift came in the final quarter, where Ball State scored 28 points, ultimately sealing the win. The combination of a strong passing attack and key adjustments in the red zone allowed them to take control, despite Marshall’s offensive dominance.
Key Defensive Moments:
Marshall’s defense struggled to contain Ball State’s aerial attack. J.C. Anderson led the Thundering Herd defense with 12 tackles, and Deeve Harris made an impact with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack. However, Marshall's defense allowed too many big plays, and crucial stops were absent when they needed them most.
Ball State's defense didn’t record any sacks, but they capitalized on the passing game and made key stops when it mattered, particularly late in the game to slow down Marshall’s momentum.
Special Teams:
Marshall’s special teams had a standout play with Tychaun Chapman returning a kickoff for 87 yards, giving the Thundering Herd a good field position. However, despite the strong kick return, Marshall's inability to convert in the red zone proved to be costly.
Rece Verhoff, Marshall’s kicker, was perfect on extra points (5/6) and made a 38-yard field goal, but the missed extra point was critical, as it left them with a 4-point deficit late in the game.
Final Thoughts:
This game was a thrilling back-and-forth battle between two high-powered offenses. Marshall's passing game was impressive, but their inability to finish drives and their struggles in the red zone prevented them from maintaining control of the game. Meanwhile, Ball State executed their game plan with precision in the second half and capitalized on Marshall’s miscues. Ultimately, Ball State's offensive explosion in the fourth quarter allowed them to escape with a 49-45 victory, leaving Marshall to regroup after a hard-fought loss.
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