STATESBORO, Ga. — Kyle Vantrease threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes and ran for a score to rally Georgia Southern to a 34-23 victory over Ball State on Saturday night.
Georgia Southern (3-1) trailed 23-20 after Ball State's Ben VonGunten kicked a 25-yard field goal with 12:39 remaining in the game.
Georgia Southern was forced to punt on its next possession, but Anthony Beck II's punt pinned the Cardinals at their own 8-yard line. The Eagles' defense forced a three-and-out and they got the ball back on the Ball State 43-yard line.
Six plays later Vantrease hit JJay Mcafee for a 7-yard touchdown and a 27-23 lead with 7:04 left. Ball State (1-3) was forced to punt and Vantrease threw a 47-yard scoring strike to Amare Jones to finish off a 10-play 86-yard drive and close out the win.
Vantrease completed 26 of 39 passes for 310 yards for the Eagles. He had a 4-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter to break a 13-all tie. Derwin Burgess Jr. had five catches for 133 yards.
John Paddock totaled 338 yards on 33-of-47 passing for the Cardinals with two touchdowns and an interception. Jayshon Jackson hauled in 10 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Tanner Koziol had the other TD catch. Carson Steele rushed for 119 yards on 23 carries.
Next up, Ball State will host Northern Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m.
