Vanderbilt vs Ball State coverage by Trimble and Bostater

Ball State vs Vanderbilt

The matchup between the visiting Ball State Cardinals from the Mid-American Conference and the Commodores occurred this past Saturday 10/19/24. The action kicked off at 6 p.m. CT.  The Cardinals came into the matchup with a 2-4 record and a 1-2 performance in conference play. The Commodores were hoping to keep the win streak alive, hoping for their third consecutive win. Vanderbilt has showcased an impressive two weeks, taking down two SEC foes, Alabama and Kentucky. 

The action kicked off with a touchback from sophomore kicker Brock Taylor. The Cardinals started their first drive with fury behind their backs. The scoring drive was filled with numerous completions and amazing passes. Tanner Kozoil the junior from Bloomingdale, Illinois made his name heard throughout the sports world. Kozoil would go on to catch three passes on the first drive to account for twenty-six yards. Along with the aid of Cam Pickett and Justin Bowick accounting for 30 passing yards, the drive would be capped off by a touchdown. Kaiel Kelly would go on to score from the Wildcat formation off the right side and run the ball in for nine yards. The Cardinals would take the lead 7-0 with 8:06 left in the first quarter.

The first Vanderbilt drive also came up with points. Eli Stowers was responsible for catching a roaring twenty-nine-yard pass from the explosive arm of Diego Pavia. Quincy Skinner Jr. also had stats on the first drive allotting a fifteen-yard catch. The drive would ultimately stall out and result in a twenty-seven-yard field goal, making the score 7-3 with 1:42 in the first quarter.

Early in the Second quarter, Vanderbilt would compose a drive to be able to obtain yet another field goal. The twenty-four-yard score would make the game 7-6 with 11:37 left in the second. After multiple three and outs, and stalled drives from both clubs, the Commodores would string together a scoring drive. Vanderbilt would start the drive backed up at their own three-yard line. The drive consisted of multiple ten-yard completions along with a screen pass caught by number 9, Eli Stowers. Stowers would take the screen and rack up forty-one yards and the first touchdown for the Dores. The Black and Gold would score the two-point conversion to take the lead by 7, with 2:33 left in the first half.

In the Second half, the Commodores would come out of the locker room stagnant and punt the ball to the Ball State six-yard line. Kadin Semonza completed a twenty-nine-yard pass to Cam Pickett, on the Vanderbilt twenty-one-yard line. Justin Bowick would also record a fourteen-yard catch to drive the Cardinals to the eight-yard line. Tanner Koziol would come back to life and haul in a seven-yard touchdown bringing the score to 14-14 with 6:03 left in the third quarter.

Late in the third quarter, the Commodores would tack on a 3-point lead aided by the powerful leg of Brock Taylor. The thirty-eight-yard field goal would make the score 17-14 with 14:44 left in the contest.

The Vanderbilt defense understood the task at hand obtaining a big three-and-out. The defensive hard work was rewarded with a huge tackle for loss by Randon Fontenette and Bryce Cowan. Vandy’s blue-collared defense would force a punt with 12:01 left in the 4th.

Vanderbilt obtained the ball with 11:51  left in the 4th quarter, with a scrambling Diego Pavia and a catch from Eli Stowers the Commodores would add on to their lead. Diego Pavia would score and rush to the right side for a five-yard touchdown. This score would boost the lead to 24-14 with 7:48 in the 4th.

The Commodores would get a defensive stop and run the remaining time out of the contest to hold on and obtain the win. Pavia would pass for 275 yards and one touchdown on the day. Kadin Semonza would throw for 190 yards and a touchdown for the Cardinals. Pavia totaled 82 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Tanner Kozoil would tally up 68 yards and a touchdown on nine catches. Eli Stowers would lead the game with an eye-catching total of 130 yards and a touchdown. The Commodores are set to face the University of Texas this Saturday in Nashville, setting the scene for a ranked matchup on Saturday night.  

-Colton Trimble

-Kenton Bostater