2024 Ball State Cardinals football team

2024 Ball State Cardinals football
Conference	Mid-American Conference
Record	3–9 (2–6 MAC)
Head coach	Mike Neu (9th season; first 10 games) Colin Johnson (interim; final 2 games)
Offensive coordinator	Jared Elliott (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Defensive coordinator	Jeff Knowles (1st season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Scheumann Stadium
Seasons ←  2023 2025  →

2024 Mid-American Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Miami (OH) y		7	–	1					9	–	5
Ohio y$		7	–	1					11	–	3
Buffalo		6	–	2					9	–	4
Bowling Green		6	–	2					7	–	6
Western Michigan		5	–	3					6	–	7
Toledo		4	–	4					8	–	5
Northern Illinois		4	–	4					8	–	5
Akron		3	–	5					4	–	8
Eastern Michigan		2	–	6					5	–	7
Central Michigan		2	–	6					4	–	8
Ball State		2	–	6					3	–	9
Kent State		0	–	8					0	–	12
Championship: Ohio 38, Miami (OH) 3
$ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant

The 2024 Ball State Cardinals football team represented Ball State University as a member of the Mid-American Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cardinals played home games at Scheumann Stadium, located in Muncie, Indiana. ^[1]

After starting 3–7, ensuring a fourth straight losing season, ninth-year head coach Mike Neu was fired on November 16, 2024. Offensive line coach Colin Johnson was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season. ^[2]

Preseason

Preseason poll

On July 19 the MAC announced the preseason coaches poll. Ball State was picked to finish ninth in the conference. The Cardinals received zero votes to win the MAC Championship. ^{[3] [4]}

Schedule

Unusually, Ball State did not play a game on "Week 1" of the season; they were the only idle FBS team on the traditional start of the season. Army, their original Week 1 opponent, dropped out after joining the American Athletic Conference. Ball State replaced Army with an October 19 game against Vanderbilt. ^[5]

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 7	2:00 p.m.	Missouri State *	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN	ESPN+	W 42–34	10,018
September 14	3:30 p.m.	at No. 10 Miami (FL) *	Hard Rock Stadium Miami Gardens, FL	ACCN	L 0–62	51,564
September 21	1:00 p.m.	at Central Michigan	Kelly/Shorts Stadium Mount Pleasant, MI	ESPN+	L 34–37	18,011
September 28	1:30 p.m.	at James Madison *	Bridgeforth Stadium Harrisonburg, VA	ESPN+	L 7–63	25,786
October 5	2:00 p.m.	Western Michigan	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN	ESPN+	L 42–45	10,342
October 12	12:00 p.m.	at Kent State	Dix Stadium Kent, OH	ESPN+	W 37–35	7,322
October 19	7:00 p.m.	at Vanderbilt *	FirstBank Stadium Nashville, TN	SECN+/ESPN+	L 14–24	27,884
October 26	3:30 p.m.	Northern Illinois	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN (Bronze Stalk Trophy)	ESPN+	W 25–23	15,318
November 5	8:00 p.m.	Miami (OH)	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN	ESPN	L 21–27	6,412
November 12	7:00 p.m.	at Buffalo	UB Stadium Buffalo, NY	CBSSN	L 48–51 OT	12,708
November 23	2:00 p.m.	Bowling Green	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN	ESPN+	L 13–38	7,116
November 29	12:00 p.m.	at Ohio	Peden Stadium Athens, OH	CBSSN	L 21–42	11,804
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

^[6]

Game summaries

Missouri State (FCS)

See also: 2024 Missouri State Bears football team

Game One – Missouri State Bears (FCS) (0–1) at Ball State Cardinals (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears (FCS)	7	0	7	20	34
Cardinals	0	7	7	28	42

at Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN

• Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 64 °F (18 °C)
• Game attendance: 10,018
• Referee: Billy Williams
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Kelsie Kasper (play-by-play) and Ryan Cavanaugh (analyst)

Statistics	MOST	BALL
First downs	18	25
Total yards	320	435
Rushing yards	62	173
Passing yards	258	262
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	19–32–1	28–38–1
Time of possession	21:30	38:30

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri State	Passing	Jacob Clark	19/32, 258 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Jacardia Wright	15 carries, 46 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jmariyae Robinson	7 receptions, 102 yards, TD
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	28/38, 262 yards, 4 TD, INT
	Rushing	Braedon Sloan	21 carries, 103 yards, TD
	Receiving	Cam Pickett	7 receptions, 69 yards

at No. 10 Miami (FL)

See also: 2024 Miami Hurricanes football team

Game Two – Ball State Cardinals (1–0) vs No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (2–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0
No. 10 Hurricanes	10	21	10	21	62

at Hard Rock Stadium • Miami Gardens, FL

• Date: September 14, 2024
• Game time: 3:30 p.m.
• Game attendance: 51,564
• TV announcers (ACCN): Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), and Coley Harvey (sideline reporter)

Game information

First quarter (6:15) MIA – Andres Borregales 30-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 5:10; Miami 3–0) (1:25) MIA – Xavier Restrepo 21-yard pass from Cam Ward, Andres Borregales kick (Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 2:34; Miami 10–0) Second quarter (4:46) MIA – Chris Johnson Jr. 37-yard pass from Cam Ward, Andres Borregales kick (Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 2:51; Miami 17–0) (1:53) MIA – Elijah Arroyo 21-yard pass from Cam Ward, Andres Borregales kick (Drive: 2 plays, 53 yards, 0:16; Miami 24–0) (1:30) MIA – Xavier Restrepo 20-yard pass from Cam Ward, Andres Borregales kick (Drive: 2 plays, 20 yards, 0:12; Miami 31–0) Third quarter (12:26) MIA – Jacolby George 17-yard pass from Cam Ward, Andres Borregales kick (Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 2:27; Miami 38–0) (3:24) MIA – Andres Borregales 32-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 6:54; Miami 41–0) Fourth quarter (14:49) MIA – Ajay Allen 56-yard run, Abram Murray kick (Drive: 2 plays, 90 yards, 0:23; Miami 48–0) (11:46) MIA – Elija Lofton 40-yard pass from Emory Williams, Abram Murray kick (Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards, 1:14; Miami 55–0) (6:40) MIA – Jordan Lyle 7-yard run, Abram Murray kick (Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 4:10; Miami 62–0)

Statistics	BALL	MIA
First downs	9	31
Total yards	115	750
Rushing yards	6	243
Passing yards	109	507
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	18–32–1	30–40–0
Time of possession	27:01	32:59

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	16/26, 111 yards, INT
	Rushing	Braedon Sloan	5 carries, 13 yards
	Receiving	Braedon Sloan	4 receptions, 41 yards
Miami (FL)	Passing	Cam Ward	19/28, 346 yards, 5 TD
	Rushing	Ajay Allen	7 carries, 104 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jacolby George	6 receptions, 109 yards, TD

at Central Michigan

See also: 2024 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

Game Three – Ball State Cardinals (1–1) at Central Michigan Chippewas (1–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	10	7	7	10	34
Chippewas	0	23	0	14	37

at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, Michigan

• Date: September 21, 2024
• Game time: 1:00pm
• Game weather: Sunny, 79 °F (26 °C), W 3 mph
• Game attendance: 18,011
• Referee: Matt Packowski
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Marcus Ray (analyst)

Game information

First quarter BALL – Carson Holmer 31-yard field goal, 7:21. Ball State 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 4:23. BALL – Qian Magwood 6-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Carson Holmer kick), 0:37. Ball State 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 3:26. Second quarter CMU – Bert Emanuel Jr. 20-yard run (Tristan Mattson kick), 10:00. Ball State 10–7. Drive: 3 plays, 62 yards, 1:18. CMU – Chris Parker 7-yard pass from Bert Emanuel Jr. (Tristan Mattson kick), 5:37. Central Michigan 14–10. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:33. CMU – Marion Lukes 2-yard run (PAT blocked), 1:43. Central Michigan 20–10. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 1:49. BALL – Malcolm Gillie 23-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Carson Holmer kick), 0:20. Central Michigan 20–17. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 1:23. CMU – Tristan Mattson 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Central Michigan 23–17. Drive: 3 plays, 60 yards, 0:20. Third quarter BALL – Braedon Sloan 22-yard run (Carson Holmer kick), 8:56. Ball State 24–23. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:04. Fourth quarter BALL – Carson Holmer 40-yard field goal, 8:39. Ball State 27–23. Drive: 8 plays, 38 yards, 4:05. CMU – Bert Emanuel Jr. 16-yard run (Tristan Mattson kick), 5:02. Central Michigan 30-27. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:37. BALL – Tanner Koziol 16-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Carson Holmer kick), 0:53. Ball State 34–30. Drive: 5 plays, 97 yards, 1:06. CMU – Chris Parker 20-yard pass from Joe Labas (Tristan Mattson kick), 0:16. Central Michigan 37–34. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 0:37.

Statistics	BALL	CMU
First downs	27	19
Plays–yards	77–431	54–527
Rushing yards	37–146	33–335
Passing yards	285	192
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	30–40–0	15–21–0
Time of possession	36:40	23:20

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	30/40, 285 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Braedon Sloan	19 carries, 94 yards, TD
	Receiving	Tanner Koziol	9 receptions, 112 yards, TD
Central Michigan	Passing	Joe Labas	14/20, 185 yards, TD
	Rushing	B.J. Harris	8 carries, 151 yards
	Receiving	Chris Parker	5 receptions, 79 yards, 2 TD

at James Madison

See also: 2024 James Madison Dukes football team

Game Four – Ball State Cardinals (1–2) at James Madison Dukes (3–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	7	0	0	0	7
Dukes	22	7	20	14	63

at Bridgeforth Stadium • Harrisonburg, VA

• Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
• Game time: 1:30 p.m.
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: S at 7 miles per hour (11 km/h)
• Game attendance: 25,786
• Referee: Jeremy Parker
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Curt Dudley (play-by-play), Brian Barlow (analyst) and David Hulvey (sideline)

Game information

First quarter (10:15) JMU – Yamir Knight 12-yard pass from Alonza Barnett III, Noe Ruelas kick (Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 4:37; James Madison 7–0) (6:54) JMU – George Pettaway 24-yard run, Taylor Thompson rush (Drive: 5 plays, 35 yards, 1:24; James Madison 15–0) (3:34) BALL – Tanner Koziol 15-yard pass from Kadin Semonza, Carson Holmer kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:20; James Madison 15–7) (1:51) JMU – Omarion Dollison 5-yard pass from Alonza Barnett III, Noe Ruelas kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 1:43; James Madison 22–7) Second quarter (4:20) JMU – Yamir Knight 10-yard pass from Alonza Barnett III, Noe Ruelas kick (Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:32; James Madison 29–7) Third quarter (13:58) JMU – Eric O'Neill 27-yard interception (James Madison 35–7) (9:45) JMU – Cam Ross 26-yard pass from Alonza Barnett III, Noe Ruelas kick (Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 1:19; James Madison 42–7) (7:19) JMU – Alonza Barnett III 18-yard run, Noe Ruelas kick (Drive: 2 plays, 33 yards, 0:42; James Madison 49–7) Fourth quarter (10:55) JMU – Taylor Thompson 22-yard pass from Alonza Barnett III, Noe Ruelas kick (Drive: 9 plays, 94 yards, 4:13; James Madison 56–7) (2:40) JMU – Jobi Malary 32-yard run, Max Lipinski kick (Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 6:41; James Madison 63–7)

Statistics	BALL	JMU
First downs	19	29
Total yards	250	522
Rushing yards	77	236
Passing yards	173	286
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	28–38–3	21–29–0
Time of possession	33:41	26:19

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	22/35, 168 yards, TD, 3 INT
	Rushing	Braedon Sloan	14 carries, 72 yards
	Receiving	Tanner Koziol	9 receptions, 78 yards, TD
James Madison	Passing	Alonza Barnett III	20/28, 280 yards, 5 TD
	Rushing	Wayne Knight	6 carries, 63 yards
	Receiving	Taylor Thompson	5 receptions, 91 yards, TD

Western Michigan

See also: 2024 Western Michigan Broncos football team

Game Five – Western Michigan Broncos (1–3) at Ball State Cardinals (1–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	21	0	10	14	45
Cardinals	14	7	14	7	42

at Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN

• Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 76 °F (24 °C) • Wind: SE 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)
• Game attendance: 10,342
• Referee: Andrew Speciale
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Jason Ross Jr. (play-by-play) and Tyoka Jackson (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (8:39) WMU – Jaden Nixon 21-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 4:18; Western Michigan 7–0) (7:43) WMU – Blake Bosma 10-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 2 plays, 10 yards, 0:41; Western Michigan 14–0) (7:29) BALL – Malcolm Gillie 97-yard kickoff return, Jackson Courville kick (Western Michigan 14–7) (5:02) BALL – Ty Robinson 21-yard pass from Kadin Semonza, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 4 plays, 95 yards, 1:30; Tied 14–14) (4:09) WMU – Jaden Nixon 57-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 2 plays, 65 yards, 0:53; Western Michigan 21–14) Second quarter (9:54) BALL – Cam Pickett 4-yard run, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 15 plays, 83 yards, 9:10; Tied 21–21) Third quarter (12:13) WMU – Malique Dieudonne 43-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 2:41; Western Michigan 28–21) (9:50) BALL – Christian Abney 22-yard pass from Braedon Sloan, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards, 2:15; Tied 28–28) (7:52) BALL – Drew Hughes 2-yard pass from Kadin Semonza, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 4 plays, 28 yards, 1:52; Ball State 35–28) (0:21) WMU – Luka Zurak 39-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 53 yards, 7:31; Ball State 35–31) Fourth quarter (13:19) WMU – Jaden Nixon 23-yard run, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 3 plays, 32 yards, 0:57; Western Michigan 38–35) (7:43) WMU – Anthony Sambucci 1-yard pass from Hayden Wolff, Luka Zurak kick (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:32; Western Michigan 45–35) (1:47) BALL – Cam Pickett 27-yard pass from Kadin Semonza, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 1:20; Western Michigan 45–42)

Statistics	WMU	BALL
First downs	23	23
Total yards	397	461
Rushing yards	197	68
Passing yards	264	329
Turnovers	1	3
Time of possession	32:30	27:30

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Michigan	Passing	Hayden Wolff	26/29, 264 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Jaden Nixon	14 carries, 124 yards, 3 TD
	Receiving	Anthony Sambucci	9 receptions, 74 yards, TD
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	21/34, 307 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Braedon Sloan	18 carries, 65 yards
	Receiving	Tanner Koziol	9 receptions, 102 yards

at Kent State

See also: 2024 Kent State Golden Flashes football team

Game Six – Ball State Cardinals (1–4) at Kent State Golden Flashes (0–5) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	10	10	7	10	37
Golden Flashes	0	7	7	21	35

at Dix Stadium • Kent, OH

• Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 62 °F (17 °C) • Wind: NE at 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
• Game attendance: 7,322
• Referee: Jeremy Valentine
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Anthony Lima (play-by-play) and Ryan Cavanaugh (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (12:14) BSU – Braedon Sloan 1-yard run, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 5 plays, 35 yards, 1:32;Ball State 7–0) (5:38) BSU – Jackson Courville 34-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 45 yards, 6:02;Ball State 10–0) Second quarter (14:54) KSU – Chrishon McCray 24-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 0:57;Ball State 10–7) (6:49) BSU – Braedon Sloan 1-yard run, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 2:03;Ball State 17–7) (0:42) BSU – Jackson Courville 35-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 3:16;Ball State 20–7) Third quarter (9:28) BSU – Qian Magwood 13-yard pass from Kadin Semonza, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:32;Ball State 27–7) (5:47) KSU – Ky Thomas 4-yard run, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 3:31;Ball State 27–14) Fourth quarter (6:19) KSU – Chrishon McCray 63-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 6 plays, 84 yards, 3:18;Ball State 27–21) (3:19) BSU – Jackson Courville 38-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 3:00;Ball State 30–21) (1:28) KSU – Luke Floriea 18-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 1:46;Ball State 30–28) (1:13) BSU – Vaughn Pemberton 41-yard run, Jackson Courville kick (Drive: 2 plays, 40 yards, 0:14;Ball State 37–28) (0:30) KSU – Chrishon McCray 57-yard pass from Tommy Ulatowski, Will Hryszko kick (Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 0:38;Ball State 37–35)

Statistics	BALL	KENT
First downs	24	20
Total yards	406	461
Rushing yards	191	67
Passing yards	215	394
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	21–34–0	17–36–1
Time of possession	33:11	26:49

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	21/34, 215 yards, TD
	Rushing	Braedon Sloan	22 carries, 76 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Malcolm Gillie	2 receptions, 61 yards
Kent State	Passing	Tommy Ulatowski	17/36, 394 yards, 4 TD, INT
	Rushing	Ky Thomas	17 carries, 67 yards, TD
	Receiving	Chrishon McCray	8 receptions, 213 yards, 3 TD

at Vanderbilt

See also: 2024 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

Game Seven – Ball State Cardinals (2–4) at Vanderbilt Commodores (4–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	7	0	7	0	14
Commodores	3	11	0	10	24

at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, TN

• Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Clear, 64 °F (18 °C)
• Game attendance: 27,884
• Referee: Jeff Heaser
• TV announcers (SECN+/ESPN+): Richard Cross (play-by-play) and Charles Arbuckle (analyst)

Game information

First quarter BALL – Kiael Kelly 9-yard run (Jason Courville kick), 8:06. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:54. VAN – Brock Taylor 27-yard field goal, 1:42. Cardinals 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 6:24. Second quarter VAN – Brock Taylor 24-yard field goal, 11:37. Cardinals 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 3:32. VAN – Eli Stowers 41-yard pass from Diego Pavia (Diego Pavia pass to Cole Spence), 2:39. Commodores 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 97 yards, 3:45. Third quarter BALL – Tanner Koziol 7-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Jackson Courville kick), 6:03. Tied 14–14. Drive: 11 plays, 94 yards, 6:34. Fourth quarter VAN – Brock Taylor 38-yard field goal, 14:44. Commodores 17–14. Drive: 14 plays, 54 yards, 6:14. VAN – Diego Pavia 5-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 7:48. Commodores 24–14. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:03.

Statistics	BALL	VAN
First downs	16	21
Total yards	268	420
Rushing yards	78	145
Passing yards	190	275
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	21–29–0	17–31–0
Time of possession	25:25	34:35

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	21/29, 190 yards, TD
	Rushing	Vaughn Pemberton	5 carries, 32 yards
	Receiving	Tanner Koziol	9 receptions, 68 yards, TD
Vanderbilt	Passing	Diego Pavia	17/31, 275 yards, TD
	Rushing	Diego Pavia	13 carries, 82 yards, TD
	Receiving	Eli Stowers	8 receptions, 130 yards, TD

Northern Illinois (Bronze Stalk Trophy)

See also: 2024 Northern Illinois Huskies football team and Bronze Stalk Trophy

Game Eight – Northern Illinois Huskies (4–3) at Ball State Cardinals (2–5) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Huskies	0	0	0	0	0
Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0

at Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN

• Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
• Game time: 3:30 p.m.
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 58 °F (14 °C) • Wind: N at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
• Game attendance: 15,318
• Referee: David Siegle
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Kelsie Kaspar (play-by-play) and Marcus Ray (analyst)

Game information

First quarter BALL – Tanner Koziol 3-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Jackson Courville kick), 10:26. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:27. NIU – Antario Brown 34-yard run (Kanon Woodill kick), 2:23. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 90 yards, 4:08. Second quarter BALL – Jackson Courville 24-yard field goal, 12:44. Cardinals 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 3:05. BALL – Jackson Courville 47-yard field goal, 9:40. Cardinals 13–7. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:30. BALL – Tanner Koziol 6-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (PAT missed), 1:51. Cardinals 19–7. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 4:45. NIU – Cam Thompson 54-yard pass from Ethan Hampton (Kanon Woodill kick), 1:12. Cardinals 19–14. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 0:39. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter BALL – Jackson Courville 50-yard field goal, 8:52. Cardinals 22–14. Drive: 10 plays, 22 yards, 4:33. NIU – Antario Brown 6-yard run (2-point conversion failed), 4:57. Cardinals 22–20. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:54. NIU – Kanon Woodill 47-yard field goal, 0:15. Huskies 23–22. Drive: 12 plays, 50 yards, 1:36. BALL – Jackson Courville 52-yard field goal, 0:02. Cardinals 25–23. Drive: 3 plays, 39 yards, 0:11.

Statistics	NIU	BALL
First downs	22	21
Total yards	374	392
Rushing yards	142	170
Passing yards	232	222
Turnovers	4	0
Time of possession	25:08	34:52

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northern Illinois	Passing	Ethan Hampton	18/33, 168 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Antario Brown	11 carries, 62 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Cam Thompson	8 receptions, 128 yards, TD
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	20/33, 211 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Vaughn Pemberton	14 carries, 69 yards
	Receiving	Tanner Koziol	9 receptions, 78 yards, 2 TD

Miami (OH)

See also: 2024 Miami RedHawks football team

Game Nine – Miami RedHawks (4–4) at Ball State Cardinals (3–5) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
RedHawks	7	14	0	6	27
Cardinals	7	6	8	0	21

at Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN

• Date: Tuesday November 5, 2024
• Game time: 8:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Rain • Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Wind: S at 17 miles per hour (27 km/h)
• Game attendance: 6,412
• Referee: Andrew Speciale
• TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Schumacker (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (8:24) BALL – Brandon Berger 46-yard interception (Jackson Courville kick) (Ball State 7-0) (5:48) MOH – Reggie Virgil 34-yard pass from Brett Gabbert (Dom Dzioban kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:36; Tied 7-7) Second quarter (13:28) BALL – Jackson Courville 27-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:15; Ball State 10-7) (8:52) MOH – Kevin Davis 12-yard pass from Brett Gabbert (Dom Dzioban kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:32; Miami (OH) 14-10) (4:33) BALL – Jackson Courville 21-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 4:19; Miami (OH) 14-13) (0:33) MOH – Javon Tracy 10-yard pass from Brett Gabbert (Dom Dzioban kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:00; Miami (OH) 21-13) Third quarter (8:01) BALL – Justin Bowick 55-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Cam Pickett rush) (Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 0:48; Tied 21-21) Fourth quarter (11:13) MOH – Dom Dzioban 28-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 52 yards, 6:07; Miami (OH) 24-21) (1:48) MOH – Dom Dzioban 39-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 24 yards, 4:40; Miami (OH) 27-21)

Statistics	M-OH	BALL
First downs	19	19
Total yards	333	331
Rushing yards	114	51
Passing yards	219	280
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	32:52	27:08

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Miami (OH)	Passing	Brett Gabbert	16/32, 219 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Keyon Mozee	22 carries, 105 yards
	Receiving	Reggie Virgil	5 receptions, 101 yards, TD
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	23/36, 280 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Vaughn Pemberton	5 carries, 21 yards
	Receiving	Justin Bowick	8 receptions, 171 yards, TD

at Buffalo

See also: 2024 Buffalo Bulls football team

Game Ten – Ball State Cardinals (3–6) at Buffalo Bulls (5–4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Ball State	7	21	7	10	3	48
Buffalo	7	17	7	14	6	51

at UB Stadium, Amherst, New York

• Date: Tuesday November 12, 2024
• Game time: 7:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Sunny, 41 °F (5 °C)
• Game attendance: 12,708
• Referee: Matt Packowski
• TV announcers (CBSSN): Dave Ryan (play-by-play) and Adam Breneman (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (7:47) BUFF – C.J. Ogbonna 3-yard run (Upton Bellenfant kick) (Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 7:13; Buffalo 7-0) (4:34) BALL – Justin Bowick 23-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Jackson Courville kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 3:08; Tied 7-7) Second quarter (14:55) BALL – Tanner Koziol 2-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Jackson Courville kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:16; Ball State 14-7) (12:06) BUFF – Upton Bellenfant 27-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 2:39; Ball State 14-10) (8:14) BALL – Vaughn Pemberton 1-yard run (Jackson Courville kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:45; Ball State 21-10) (3:40) BUFF – Al-Jay Henderson 6-yard run (Upton Bellenfant kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 1:42; Ball State 21-17) (1:12) BALL – Justin Bowick 22-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Jackson Courville kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 2:20; Ball State 28-17) (0:00) BUFF – Victor Snow 2-yard pass from C.J. Ogbonna (Upton Bellenfant kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 2 yards, 0:09; Ball State 28-24) Third quarter (5:56) BUFF – Al-Jay Henderson 4-yard run (Upton Bellenfant kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 4:41; Buffalo 31-28) (2:46) BALL – Cam Pickett 65-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Jackson Courville kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 65 yards, 0:16; Ball State 35-31) Fourth quarter (14:56) BALL – Cam Pickett 9-yard run (Jackson Courville kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 19 yards, 2:13; Ball State 42-31) (7:08) BALL – Jackson Courville 27-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 5:00; Ball State 45-31) (5:43) BUFF – C.J. Ogbonna 26-yard run (run failed) (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 1:25; Ball State 45-37) (1:49) BUFF – JJ Jenkins 33-yard pass from C.J. Ogbonna (C.J. Ogbonna pass to Jake Orlando) (Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards, 1:27; Tied 45-45) Overtime BALL – Jackson Courville 36-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:00; Ball State 48-45) BUFF – Lamar Sperling 14-yard pass from C.J. Ogbonna (Drive: 2 plays, 25 yards, 0:00; Buffalo 51-48)

Statistics	BALL	UB
First downs	24	26
Plays–yards	74–520	78–470
Rushing yards	37–193	41–206
Passing yards	327	264
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	25–37–1	19–37–2
Time of possession	33:13	26:26

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	25/37, 327 yards, 4 TD, INT
	Rushing	Kadin Semonza	4 carries, 53 yards
	Receiving	Justin Bowick	7 receptions, 148 yards, 2 TD
Buffalo	Passing	C.J. Ogbonna	19/37, 264 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Al-Jay Henderson	27 carries, 126 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	JJ Jenkins	8 receptions, 131 yards, TD

Bowling Green

See also: 2024 Bowling Green Falcons football team

Game Eleven – Bowling Green Falcons (6–4) at Ball State Cardinals (3–7) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	7	3	18	10	38
Cardinals	0	7	0	6	13

at Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN

• Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 40 °F (4 °C) • Wind: W at 13 miles per hour (21 km/h)
• Game attendance: 7,116
• Referee: Greg Sujack
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Je'Rod Cherry (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (4:46) BGSU – Harold Fannin Jr. 4-yard pass from Connor Bazelak (Zach Long kick) (Drive: 15 plays, 93 yards, 8:44; Bowling Green 7-0) Second quarter (1:36) BGSU – Zach Long 43-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 32 yards, 3:08; Bowling Green 10-0) (0:34) BALL – Vaughn Pemberton 51-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Jackson Courville kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, :54; Bowling Green 10-7) Third quarter (7:58) BGSU – Zach Long 36-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 51 yards, 6:55; Bowling Green 13-7) (4:01) BGSU – Rahkeem Smith 1-yard run (Two-point pass to Jamal Johnson) (Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 2:13; Bowling Green 21-7) (2:16) BGSU – Rahkeem Smith 66-yard pass from Connor Bazelak (Zach Long kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 70 yards, :48; Bowling Green 28-7) Fourth quarter (12:25) BGSU – Zach Long 48-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 16 yards, 2:24; Bowling Green 31-7) (8:30) BALL – Qian Magwood 13-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Two-point pass failed) (Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 3:50; Bowling Green 31-13) (1:55) BGSU – Rahkeem Smith 4-yard pass from Lucian Anderson III (Zach Long kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 3:23; Bowling Green 38-13)

Statistics	BGSU	BALL
First downs	17	15
Total yards	362	254
Rushing yards	103	43
Passing yards	259	211
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	34:57	25:03

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Bowling Green	Passing	Connor Bazelak	18/29, 255 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Terion Stewart	10 carries, 32 yards
	Receiving	Harold Fannin Jr.	9 receptions, 125 yards, TD
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	19/37, 211 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Vaughn Pemberton	5 carries, 29 yards
	Receiving	Vaughn Pemberton	3 receptions, 70 yards, TD

at Ohio

See also: 2024 Ohio Bobcats football team

Game Twelve – Ball State Cardinals (3–8) at Ohio Bobcats (8–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	7	7	7	21
Bobcats	14	7	14	7	42

at Peden Stadium, Athens, Ohio

• Date: Friday November 29, 2024
• Game time: 12:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 33 °F (1 °C)
• Game attendance: 11,804
• Referee: David Siegle
• TV announcers (CBSSN): Chris Lewis (play-by-play) and Donte Whitmer (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (12:18) OHIO – Coleman Owen 50-yard pass from Parker Navarro (Gianni Spetic kick), Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 2:37; OHIO 7–0 (07:48) OHIO – Coleman Owen 41-yard pass from Parker Navarro (Gianni Spetic kick), Drive: 3 plays, 20 yards, 1:29; OHIO 14–0 Second quarter (08:25) OHIO – Parker Navarro 20-yard run (Gianni Spetic kick), Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:51; OHIO 21–0 (06:13) BALL – Dahya Patel 33-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Jackson Courville kick), Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:05; OHIO 21–7 Third quarter (13:58) OHIO – Mason Williams 15-yard pass from Parker Navarro (Gianni Spetic kick), Drive: 2 plays, 16 yards, 0:42; OHIO 28–7 (06:40) OHIO – Parker Navarro 4-yard run (Gianni Spetic kick), Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 5:05; OHIO 35–7 (03:54) BALL – Tanner Koziol 11-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Jackson Courville kick), Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 2:39; OHIO 35–14 Fourth quarter (05:25) OHIO – Max Rodarte 19-yard pass from Nick Poulos (Gianni Spetic kick), Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 3:44; OHIO 42–14 (02:42) BALL – Jamarion McDougle 27-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Jackson Courville kick), Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 2:35; OHIO 42–21

Statistics	BALL	OHIO
First downs	21	22
Plays–yards	73–375	56–475
Rushing yards	26–42	41–270
Passing yards	333	205
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	29–47–0	9–15–1
Time of possession	29:16	30:44

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing	Kadin Semonza	29/47, 333 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Braedon Sloan	10 carries, 31 yards
	Receiving	Cam Pickett	9 receptions, 119 yards
Ohio	Passing	Parker Navarro	7/11, 169 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Parker Navarro	11 carries, 110 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Coleman Owen	5 receptions, 142 yards, 2 TD

References

1. "2024 Football Coaching Staff". Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
2. Thamel, Pete (November 16, 2024). "Ball State fires Mike Neu amid fourth straight losing season". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
3. "Miami Selected as Favorites in Head Coaches Preseason Football Poll". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
4. "MAC football preseason poll: Toledo picked 2nd, BGSU 3rd". wtol.com. WTOL 11. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
5. Helwick, Steve (August 27, 2024). "Ball State is the only FBS team with a Week 1 bye: Here's why". Hustle Belt. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
6. "2024 Ball State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 1, 2024.