Ball State University
0-1 , 0-0
Kentucky
1-0 , 0-0
Semonza Shines in Debut at Kentucky
September 02, 2023 | Football
Unfortunately, the Cardinals (0-1) ended the afternoon with a 44-14 setback to the Wildcats at Kroger Field.
Ball State graduate transfer quarterback Layne Hatcher answered an early Kentucky field goal with a two-yard rushing touchdown to help the Cardinals pull ahead 7-3 with 1:15 left in the first quarter.
While the Wildcats answered with the next 27 points, Ball State would not be deterred and rallied around Semonza who put together four solid drives in the second half. His second was a 10-play, 75-yard drive which ended with his first career passing touchdown, a five-yard connection with junior transfer wide receiver Ty Robinson.
The touchdown helped the Cardinals make it a two-score game, at 30-14, with :42 left in the third quarter.
Semonza, who finished the day 15-for-21 with 165 yards and a touchdown, also drove the Cardinals to the Kentucky 1-yard line on the ensuing drive and helped set up a 51-yard field goal attempt on BSU's final complete drive of the game.
"We lost to a good football team," said Ball State coach Mike Neu. "We fought to the end. I was encouraged by our guys on the sidelines -- all our guys encouraging their teammates to fight to the end. You can't lose the turnover margin, though, and those two turnovers late in the first half did hurt."
Trailing 10-7 midway through the second quarter, starting quarterback Layne Hatcher connected with tight end Tanner Koziol for a 9-yard completion. Koziol absorbed a hit but fumbled and the Wildcats' Jalen Geiger took the carom 69 yards for a Kentucky touchdown. Moments later, another Hatcher completion resulted in a fumble by Malcolm Gillie, setting up a 46-yard UK field goal to close the first half.
Ball State turned to Semonza to open the second half, putting a true freshman QB behind center for the first time since John Paddock took snaps as a freshman in 2018.
"At half, we thought it was the right time to put Kadin out there. We thought he had earned it. He was poised and I thought he handled himself well."
The Cardinals finished with 18 first downs in the contest, compared to 17 for Kentucky. Eleven of those came in the second half. Both of Ball State's receiving leaders excelled in the second half, also. Koziol finished with eight catches for 66 yards, nabbing five for 41 yards after halftime. Robinson corralled five passes for 90 yards and a score, all in the second half.
The Ball State football team returns to action next Saturday at two-time defending national champion Georgia. Kickoff is set for noon at Sanford Stadium.
Team Stats
BSU 0, UKY 3
UKY - Raynor,Alex 41 yd field goal 5 plays, 51 yards, TOP 01:43
BSU 7, UKY 3
BSU - Hatcher,Layne 2 yd run (Courville,Jackson kick), 13 plays, 73 yards, TOP 07:05
BSU 7, UKY 10
UKY - Davis,Ray 2 yd run (Raynor,Alex kick), 11 plays, 70 yards, TOP 04:58
BSU 7, UKY 17
UKY - Geiger,Jalen 69 yd fumble recovery (Raynor,Alex kick)
BSU 7, UKY 20
UKY - Raynor,Alex 46 yd field goal 4 plays, 2 yards, TOP 00:14
BSU 7, UKY 23
UKY - Raynor,Alex 46 yd field goal 4 plays, 26 yards, TOP 00:31
BSU 7, UKY 30
UKY - Key,Dane 5 yd pass from Leary,Devin (Raynor,Alex kick) 7 plays, 89 yards, TOP 02:37
BSU 14, UKY 30
BSU - Robinson,Ty 5 yd pass from Semonza,Kadin (Courville,Jackson kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:01
BSU 14, UKY 37
UKY - Brown,Barion 99 yd kickoff return (Raynor,Alex kick)
BSU 14, UKY 44
UKY - Davis,Ray 30 yd run (Raynor,Alex kick), 6 plays, 66 yards, TOP 03:16
