2021 Ball State Cardinals football team

Last updated

2021 Ball State Cardinals football
Ball State Athletics wordmark.png
Camellia Bowl, L 20–51 vs. Georgia State
Conference Mid-American Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record6–7 (4–4 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorKevin Lynch (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Multiple
Defensive coordinator Tyler Stockton (3rd season)
Base defense 3–4
Home stadium Scheumann Stadium
Seasons
  2020
2022  
2021 Mid-American Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
Kent State xy  6 2   7 7  
Miami (OH)  5 3   7 6  
Ohio  3 5   3 9  
Bowling Green  2 6   4 8  
Buffalo  2 6   4 8  
Akron  1 7   2 10  
West Division
Northern Illinois xy$  6 2   9 5  
Central Michigan x  6 2   9 4  
Toledo  5 3   7 6  
Ball State  4 4   6 7  
Eastern Michigan  4 4   7 6  
Western Michigan  4 4   8 5  
Championship: Northern Illinois 41, Kent State 23
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant

The 2021 Ball State Cardinals football team represented Ball State University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cardinals were led by sixth-year head coach Mike Neu and played their home games at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana. They competed as members of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference.

Contents

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 27:00 p.m. Western Illinois * ESPN+ W 31–2113,149
September 113:30 p.m.at No. 11 Penn State * FS1 L 13–44105,323
September 184:00 p.m.at Wyoming * Stadium L 12–4523,467
September 252:00 p.m. Toledo
  • Scheumann Stadium
  • Muncie, IN
ESPN+L 12–2214,902
October 25:00 p.m. Army *
  • Scheumann Stadium
  • Muncie, IN
ESPN+W 28–1613,713
October 93:30 p.m.at Western Michigan ESPNU W 45–2011,403
October 162:00 p.m.at Eastern Michigan ESPN+W 38–3115,258
October 233:30 p.m. Miami (OH) Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Scheumann Stadium
  • Muncie, IN (Red Bird Rivalry)
ESPN+L 17–2415,703
November 27:00 p.m.at Akron CBSSN W 31–257,683
November 107:00 p.m.at Northern Illinois ESPN2 L 29–307,894
November 177:00 p.m. Central Michigan
  • Scheumann Stadium
  • Muncie, IN
ESPNUL 17–375,602
November 237:00 p.m. Buffalo
  • Scheumann Stadium
  • Muncie, IN
ESPN+W 20–36,112
December 252:30 p.m.vs. Georgia State*ESPNL 20–517,345
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[1]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP RVRV
Coaches RVRV
CFP Not releasedNot released

Game summaries

Western Illinois

Western Illinois at Ball State
1234Total
Western Illinois077721
Ball State70141031
Pregame lineOver/under
BSU –31.058.5
StatisticsWestern IllinoisBall State
First downs1718
Total yards437404
Rushing yards70216
Passing yards367188
Turnovers11
Time of possession31:0228:58
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western IllinoisPassingConnor Sampson30/43, 367 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingMyles Wanza8 carries, 37 yards
ReceivingDennis Houston12 receptions, 237 yards, 2 TDs
Ball StatePassing Drew Plitt 17/28, 188 yards, 2 TDs
RushingWill Jones18 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Justin Hall 8 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TDs

At No. 11 Penn State

Ball State at No. 11 Penn State
1234Total
Ball State060713
No. 11 Penn State1410101044
       
Pregame lineOver/under
PSU –22.558.0
StatisticsBall StatePenn State
First downs2032
Total yards295493
Rushing yards69240
Passing yards226253
Turnovers20
Time of possession25:5134:09
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt25/39, 176 yards, 2 INTs
Rushing Carson Steele 7 carries, 18 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJayshon Jackson4 receptions, 42 yards
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 21/29, 230 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Noah Cain 20 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jahan Dotson 5 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD

At Wyoming

Ball State at Wyoming
1234Total
Ball State006612
Wyoming102101445
     
Pregame lineOver/under
WYO –6.553.0
StatisticsBall StateWyoming
First downs1919
Total yards260378
Rushing yards118177
Passing yards142201
Turnovers30
Time of possession30:1129:49
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ball StatePassing John Paddock 13/20, 82 yards, 1 INT
RushingCarson Steele13 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJayshon Jackson10 receptions, 92 yards
WyomingPassingSean Chambers14/23, 201 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Xazavian Valladay 14 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Isaiah Neyor 4 receptions, 84 yards

Toledo

Toledo at Ball State
1234Total
Toledo770822
Ball State630312
  • Date: September 25, 2021
  • Location: Scheumann Stadium
    Muncie, IN
  • Game start: 2:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 14,902
  • Television network: ESPN+
Pregame lineOver/under
TOL –4.556.5
StatisticsToledoBall State
First downs1917
Total yards444312
Rushing yards272122
Passing yards172190
Turnovers11
Time of possession33:0326:57
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ToledoPassing Carter Bradley 10/18, 144 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Dequan Finn 12 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDevin Maddox2 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt21/35, 190 yards
RushingJustin Hall5 carries, 64 yards
ReceivingJustin Hall7 receptions, 97 yards

Army

Army at Ball State
1234Total
Army0140216
Ball State2100728
  • Date: October 2, 2021
  • Location: Scheumann Stadium
    Muncie, IN
  • Game start: 5:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 13,713
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 68 °F (20 °C) • Wind: S 9 MPH
  • Referee: Ron Hudson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jim Barbar (play-by-play) & Tyoka Jackson (analyst)
    
Pregame lineOver/under
ARMY –10.047.0
StatisticsArmyBall State
First downs1812
Total yards279269
Rushing yards21336
Passing yards66233
Turnovers20
Time of possession33:0326:57
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ArmyPassingJemel Jones5/11, 66 yards, 1 INT
RushingTyhier Tyler24 carries, 63 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingIsaiah Alston2 receptions, 36 yards
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt17/28, 233 yards, 2 TDs
RushingCarson Steele8 carries, 17 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingYo'Heinz Tyler5 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD

At Western Michigan

Ball State at Western Michigan
1234Total
Ball State71072145
Western Michigan1433020
Pregame lineOver/under
WMU –12.557.5
StatisticsBall StateWestern Michigan
First downs1823
Total yards361376
Rushing yards51119
Passing yards310257
Turnovers04
Time of possession23:3736:23
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt15/25, 310 yards, 4 TDs
RushingCarson Steele10 carries, 41 yards
ReceivingYo'Heinz Tyler5 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TDs
Western MichiganPassing Kaleb Eleby 19/33, 257 yards, 2 INTs
RushingLa'Darius Jefferson21 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Skyy Moore 7 receptions, 81 yards

At Eastern Michigan

Ball State at Eastern Michigan
1234Total
Ball State14371438
Eastern Michigan01431431
Pregame lineOver/under
BALL –1.055.5
StatisticsBall StateEastern Michigan
First downs2927
Total yards433385
Rushing yards20046
Passing yards233339
Turnovers02
Time of possession32:4327:17
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt27/35, 207 yards, 1 TD
RushingCarson Steele18 carries, 138 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJustin Hall10 receptions, 58 yards
Eastern MichiganPassing Ben Bryant 35/48, 331 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
RushingJawon Hamilton8 carries, 40 yards
Receiving Dylan Drummond 7 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD

Miami (Ohio)

Red Bird Rivalry
1234Total
Miami (OH)1060824
Ball State737017
  • Date: October 23, 2021
  • Location: Scheumann Stadium
    Muncie, IN
  • Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 15, 703
  • Television network: ESPN+
Pregame lineOver/under
BALL –3.553.0
StatisticsMiamiBall State
First downs1820
Total yards360327
Rushing yards126100
Passing yards234227
Turnovers02
Time of possession34:3225:28
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MiamiPassing Brett Gabbert 20/24, 207 yards, 2 TDs
RushingTyre Shelton14 carries, 46 yards
ReceivingJack Sorenson8 receptions, 138 yards
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt22/34, 227 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingCarson Steele11 carries, 49 yards
ReceivingJayshon Jackson9 receptions, 121 yards, 1 TD

At Akron

Ball State at Akron
1234Total
Ball State7147331
Akron3701525
Pregame lineOver/under
BALL –20.058.0
StatisticsBall StateAkron
First downs2520
Total yards425458
Rushing yards240127
Passing yards185331
Turnovers01
Time of possession29:5430:06
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt18/31, 185 yards, 3 TDs
RushingCarson Steele27 carries, 154 yards
ReceivingJustin Hall8 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD
AkronPassingZach Gibson24/31, 331 yards, 2 TDs
RushingJonzell Norrils17 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMichael Mathison8 receptions, 154 yards, 1 TD

At Northern Illinois (Bronze Stalk Trophy)

Bronze Stalk Trophy
1234Total
Ball State1079329
Northern Illinois01731030
Pregame lineOver/under
BALL –3.059.0
StatisticsBall StateNorthern Illinois
First downs1726
Total yards372475
Rushing yards246211
Passing yards126264
Turnovers02
Time of possession23:1636:44
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt11/26, 126 yards, 1 TD
RushingCarson Steele21 carries, 109 yards
ReceivingJalen McGaughy1 reception, 45 yards
Northern IllinoisPassing Rocky Lombardi 23/38, 264 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJay Ducker24 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTrayvon Rudolph8 receptions, 108 yards

Central Michigan

Central Michigan at Ball State
1234Total
Central Michigan7216337
Ball State7100017
  • Date: November 17, 2021
  • Location: Scheumann Stadium
    Muncie, IN
  • Game start: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 5,602
  • Television network: ESPNU
Pregame lineOver/under
CMU –2.557.0
StatisticsCentral MichiganBall State
First downs2618
Total yards567329
Rushing yards285159
Passing yards282170
Turnovers21
Time of possession32:4727:13
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central MichiganPassing Daniel Richardson 20/25, 283 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Lew Nichols III 32 carries, 219 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving Kalil Pimpleton 7 receptions, 144 yards, 1 TD
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt21/39, 170 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingCarson Steele20 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJayshon Jackson6 receptions, 61 yards

Buffalo

Buffalo at Ball State
1234Total
Buffalo03003
Ball State1433020
  • Date: November 23, 2021
  • Location: Scheumann Stadium
    Muncie, IN
  • Game start: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 6,112
  • Television network: ESPN+
Pregame lineOver/under
BALL –6.059.5
StatisticsBuffaloBall State
First downs2213
Total yards336230
Rushing yards14854
Passing yards188176
Turnovers40
Time of possession29:4030:20
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
BuffaloPassingMatt Myers18/39, 188 yards, 4 INTs
RushingMatt Myers16 carries, 78 yards
ReceivingRon Cook Jr.4 receptions, 56 yards
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt19/31, 176 yards, 1 TD
RushingCarson Steele25 carries, 45 yards
ReceivingJayshon Jackson9 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD

Vs. Georgia State (Camellia Bowl)

Camellia Bowl
1234Total
Georgia State14628351
Ball State760720
  • Date: December 25, 2021
  • Location: Cramton Bowl
    Montgomery, AL
  • Game start: 2:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 7,345
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C) • Weather: Partly cloudy • Wind: SW 13 MPH
  • Referee: Kevin Vicknair
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Hutson Mason (analyst), and Abby Labar (sideline)
         
Pregame lineOver/under
GAST –4.550.0
StatisticsGeorgia StateBall State
First downs2122
Total yards464367
Rushing yards25974
Passing yards205293
Turnovers02
Time of possession26:4633:14
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia StatePassing Darren Grainger 15/19, 203 yards, 3 TDs
RushingDarren Grainger11 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingAubry Payne8 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TDs
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt27/46, 293 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingCarson Steele15 carries, 62 yards
ReceivingJayshon Jackson12 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD

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The 1976 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. In its sixth season under head coach Dave McClain, the team compiled an 8–3 record and won the school's first MAC championship. The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

The 1977 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. In its seventh season under head coach Dave McClain, the team compiled a 9–2 record and finished third in the MAC. The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

The 1978 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its first season under head coach Dwight Wallace, the team compiled a 10–1 record and won the MAC championship. Ball state did not have another 10-win season until 2008, when they started the season at 12-0 before losing their conference championship game and their bowl game. The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

The 2001 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State University in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its seventh season under head coach Bill Lynch, the team compiled a 5–6 record and tied for first place in the MAC West. The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

The 2000 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State University in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its sixth season under head coach Bill Lynch, the team compiled a 5–6 record and tied for third place in the MAC West. The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

The 1998 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State University in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its fourth season under head coach Bill Lynch, the team compiled a 1–10 record and finished in sixth place out of six teams in the MAC West. The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

The 1997 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State University in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its third season under head coach Bill Lynch, the team compiled a 5–6 record and finished in third place out of six teams in the MAC West. The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

The 1983 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its sixth season under head coach Dwight Wallace, the team compiled a 6–5 record and finished in fifth place out of ten teams in the conference. The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

The 1982 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its fifth season under head coach Dwight Wallace, the team compiled a 5–6 record and finished in eighth place out of ten teams in the conference. The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

The 1979 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its second season under head coach Dwight Wallace, the team compiled a 6–5 record and finished in a tie for fourth place out of ten teams in the conference. The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

References

  1. "2021 Ball State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.