2025 Ball State Cardinals football team

2025 Ball State Cardinals football
Conference	Mid-American Conference
Record	3–4 (2–1 MAC)
Head coach	Mike Uremovich (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Defensive coordinator	Jeff Knowles (2nd season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Scheumann Stadium
Seasons ←  2024 2026 →

2025 Mid-American Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Buffalo		3	–	0					4	–	3
Miami (OH)		3	–	0					4	–	3
Western Michigan		3	–	0					4	–	3
Ball State		2	–	1					3	–	4
Central Michigan		2	–	1					4	–	3
Ohio		2	–	1					4	–	3
Toledo		2	–	2					4	–	3
Bowling Green		1	–	2					3	–	4
Kent State		1	–	2					2	–	5
Akron*		1	–	3					2	–	6
Eastern Michigan		1	–	3					2	–	6
Northern Illinois		0	–	3					1	–	6
UMass		0	–	3					0	–	7
Championship: December 6, 2025
* Ineligible for postseason play due to low APR score As of October 19, 2025

The 2025 Ball State Cardinals football team represents Ball State University as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cardinals are led by Mike Uremovich in his first year as the head coach. The Cardinals play home games at Scheumann Stadium, located in Muncie, Indiana.

Offseason

Transfers

Outgoing

Player	Position	Destination
Arkel Anugwom	OL	Alabama
Vaughn Pemberton	RB	Boston College
Dantu Gardner	EDGE	Butler
Nick Munson	WR	Butler
Blair Schonhorst	CB	Butler
Thailand Baldwin	DB	Charlotte
Taran Tyo	OL	Cincinnati
Malcolm Gillie	WR	Coastal Carolina
Chase Harrison	QB	Findlay
Christian Davis	RB	Findlay
L'Cier Luter	DL	FIU
Preston Ross	TE	Furman
Ty Curran	WR	Holy Cross
Christian Abney	TE	Illinois
Justin Bowick	WR	Illinois
Jordan Coleman	CB	Illinois State
Danny Royster	DE	Indianapolis
Cam Pickett	WR	Kansas
Rob Fogler	OT	Kentucky
Eli Freeman	IOL	Lindenwood
Khalib Gilmore	LB	Norfolk State
Jackson Courville	K	Ohio State
Elijah Davis	S	Robert Morris
R.J. Mukes III	WR	Robert Morris
DJ Williams	RB	Sacred Heart
Myles Norwood	DB	South Carolina
Ethan Evers	LB	Tiffin (D2)
Kadin Semonza	QB	Tulane
DD Snyder	S	UMass
Ameir Glenn	DL	Wake Forest
Dakari Frazier	DL	Western Michigan
Khani McNeese	DB	Winona State (D2)
Tanner Koziol	TE	Wisconsin
AJ Taylor	CB	Unknown
Ky Montgomery	DL	Unknown
Yaser Alawadi	OT	Unknown
Jeffrey Simmons	TE	Unknown
Kiael Kelly	QB	Withdrawn
Qian Magwood	WR	Withdrawn
Caden Johnson	LB	Withdrawn

Incoming

Player	Position	Previous school
Otto Hess	IOL	Boston College
Nathan Voorhis	DL	Bryant
Roman Pearson	DB	Bucknell
Eric Weatherly	WR	Bucknell
Drew Cassens	TE	Butler
Adam Dolan	OL	Butler
Ashton Nawrocki	EDGE	Butler
Deondre Shepherd	S	Coastal Carolina
Walter Taylor III	QB	Colorado
Micah Wing	LB	Dodge City CC
Koby Gross	TE	Florida A&M
Qua Ashley	RB	Kennesaw State
Avery Stuart	S	Kentucky
Brody Boehm	K	Missouri
Ashton Whitner	S	Old Dominion
Donovan Hamilton	WR	Purdue
Elijah Jackson	RB	Purdue
Jordan King	IOL	Purdue
Aaron Roberts	OT	Purdue
DC Pippin	K	Southeast Missouri State
Alfred Chea	S	UConn
George Okorie	EDGE	Vanderbilt
Ameir Glenn	DL	Wake Forest
Adam Saul	P	Washington
Ben Dutton	TE	Washington State
Michael Gravely Jr.	S	Western Michigan
Bradyn Flehart	QB	Yale

^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}

Coaching staff additions

Name	New Position	Previous Team	Previous Position	Source
Mike Uremovich	Head coach	Butler	Head coach	[6]
Adam Siwicki	Defensive run game coordinator/Defensive line	Butler	Defensive coordinator/Defensive line	[7]
Rory Mannering	Safeties	Butler	Assistant head coach/Linebackers	[7]
Alex Barr	Offensive line	Butler	Offensive coordinator	[7]
Sean Chase	Tight ends	Butler	Run game coordinator/Tight ends/Running backs	[7]
Ray Holmes	Inside receivers	Butler	Pass game coordinator/Wide receivers	[7]
Ray Smith	Defensive pass game coordinator/Cornerbacks	Kennesaw State	Defensive backs/Corners	[7]
Craig Harmon	Offensive pass game coordinator/Quarterbacks	Benet Academy	Head coach	[8]
Madison Bunch	Running backs	Southeast Missouri State	Running backs/Specialists	[8]
Jalen Moss	Snipers	Butler	Cornerbacks	[8]
Nick Fiacable	Special teams	UConn	Special teams analyst	[8]

Preseason

The MAC Football Kickoff was held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan from 9:00 am EDT to 1:30 pm EDT. ^[9]

Preseason polls

Coaches Poll

On July 24 the MAC announced the preseason coaches' poll. ^[10]

MAC Coaches poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Toledo	135 (7)
2	Miami	131 (3)
3	Ohio	123 (3)
4	Buffalo	115
5	Northern Illinois	94
6	Bowling Green	81
7	Western Michigan	71
8	Eastern Michigan	68
9	Central Michigan	65
10	Ball State	41
T11	Akron	39
T11	Massachusetts	39
13	Kent State	12

Coaches poll (MAC Championship)
Predicted finish	Team	Votes
1	Toledo	6
2	Miami	4
3	Ohio	3

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	12:00 p.m.	at Purdue *	Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN	BTN	L 0–31	53,994
September 6	7:30 p.m.	at Auburn *	Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL	ESPNU	L 3–42	88,043
September 13	2:00 p.m.	No. 23 (FCS) New Hampshire *	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN	ESPN+	W 34–29	10,512
September 20	3:30 p.m.	at UConn *	Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field East Hartford, CT	CBSSN	L 25–31	25,025
October 4	12:00 p.m.	Ohio	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN	CBSSN	W 20–14	8,427
October 11	3:30 p.m.	at Western Michigan	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	ESPN+	L 0–42	20,032
October 18	3:30 p.m.	Akron	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN	ESPN+	W 42–28	12,248
October 25	2:30 p.m.	at Northern Illinois	Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL (Bronze Stalk Trophy)	ESPN+
November 5	7:00 p.m./8:00 p.m.	Kent State	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN	ESPN2/ESPNU
November 15		Eastern Michigan	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN
November 22		at Toledo	Glass Bowl Toledo, OH
November 29		at Miami (OH)	Yager Stadium Oxford, OH
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

^[11]

Game summaries

at Purdue

See also: 2025 Purdue Boilermakers football team

Ball State Cardinals (0–0) at Purdue Boilermakers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0
Boilermakers	14	7	7	3	31

at Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana

• Date: August 30
• Game time: 12:00 p.m.
• Game weather:  
• Game attendance: 53,994
• Referee: Jeff Servinski
• TV announcers (BTN): Jason Ross Jr. (play-by-play) and Anthony Herron (analyst)

Game information

First quarter PUR – Arhmad Branch 49-yard pass from Ryan Browne (Spencer Porath kick), 14:20. Boilermakers 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 72 yards, 0:36. PUR – Ryan Browne 5-yard run (Spencer Porath kick), 9:47. Boilermakers 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 2:55. Second quarter PUR – Devin Mockobee 4-yard run (Spencer Porath kick), 10:21. Boilermakers 21–0. Drive: 13 plays, 91 yards, 5:26. Third quarter PUR – Michael Jackson III 14-yard pass from Ryan Browne (Spencer Porath kick), 4:40. Boilermakers 28–0. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:38. Fourth quarter PUR – Spencer Porath 28-yard field goal, 9:59. Boilermakers 31–0. Drive: 13 plays, 61 yards, 5:01.

Statistics	BALL	PUR
First downs	13	23
Plays–yards	52–203	59–433
Rushes–yards	36–116	30–93
Passing yards	87	340
Passing: comp–att–int	10–16–0	20–29–0
Time of possession	33:40	26:20

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing	Kiael Kelly	10/16, 87 yards
	Rushing	Kiael Kelly	22 carries, 63 yards
	Receiving	Elijah Jackson	1 reception, 37 yards
Purdue	Passing	Ryan Browne	18/26, 311 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Devin Mockobee	14 carries, 59 yds, TD
	Receiving	Arhmad Branch	3 receptions, 101 yards, TD

at Auburn

See also: 2025 Auburn Tigers football team

Ball State Cardinals (0–1) at Auburn Tigers (1–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	0	3	0	3
Tigers	14	7	7	14	42

at Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

• Date: September 6
• Game time: 6:30 PM CDT
• Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C)
• Game attendance: 88,043
• Referee: Matt Loeffler
• TV announcers (ESPNU): Lowell Galindo (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (analyst), and Lauren Sisler (sideline reporter)

Game information

First quarter AUB – Jeremiah Cobb 46-yard rush (Alex McPherson kick), 4:15. Auburn 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 55 yards, 0:42. AUB – Eric Singleton Jr. 30-yard pass from Jackson Arnold (Alex McPherson kick), 0:44. Auburn 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 50 yards, 1:11. Second quarter AUB – Horatio Fields 11-yard pass from Jackson Arnold (Alex McPherson kick), 0:37. Auburn 21–0. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 3:14. Third quarter AUB – Jeremiah Cobb 45-yard rush (Alex McPherson kick), 7:32. Auburn 28–0. Drive: 4 plays, 79 yards, 1:40. BSU – Carson Holmer 22-yard field goal, 1:04. Auburn 28–3. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 3:50. Fourth quarter AUB – Eric Singleton Jr. 13-yard pass from Jackson Arnold (Alex McPherson kick), 12:22. Auburn 35–3. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 3:36. AUB – Durell Robinson 54-yard rush (Alex McPherson kick), 5:13. Auburn 42–3. Drive: 1 play, 54 yards, 0:10.

Statistics	BALL	AUB
First downs	6	27
Total yards	68	495
Rushing yards	-3	224
Passing yards	71	271
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	10–16–0	26–33–0
Time of possession	30:15	29:45

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing	Kiael Kelly	10/16, 71 yards
	Rushing	Qua Ashley	12 carries, 10 yards
	Receiving	Eric Weatherly	5 receptions, 42 yards
Auburn	Passing	Jackson Arnold	24/28, 251 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Jeremiah Cobb	11 carries, 121 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Cam Coleman	7 receptions, 77 yards

No. 23 (FCS) New Hampshire

See also: 2025 New Hampshire Wildcats football team

No. 23 (FCS) New Hampsire Wildcats (2–0) vs. Ball State Cardinals (0–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 23 (FCS) Wildcats	-	-	-	-	0
Cardinals	-	-	-	-	0

at Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, Indiana

• Date: September 13
• Game time: 2:00 PM EDT
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Jack Kizer (play-by-play) and Ryan Cavanaugh (analyst)

Statistics	UNH	BALL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
New Hampshire	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Ball State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at UConn

See also: 2025 UConn Huskies football team

Ball State Cardinals (1–2) vs. UConn Huskies (1–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	7	3	15	25
Huskies	10	0	7	14	31

at Rentschler Field • East Hartford, Connecticut

• Date: September 20
• Game time: 3:30 PM EDT
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 71 °F (22 °C) • Wind: N at 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
• Game attendance: 25,025
• Referee: Garrett Dickerson
• TV announcers (CBSSN): Fran Charles (play-by-play), Taylor McHargue (analyst) & Hailey Sutton (sideline)

Game information

First Quarter CONN - Freeman, Chris 30 yd field goal, 9:48. Huskies 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, TOP 01:47 CONN - Bell, Skyler 2 yd pass from Fagnano, Joe (Freeman, Chris kick), 2:30. Huskies 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, TOP 05:36 Second Quarter BALL - Kelly, Kiael 19 yd pass from Magwood, Qian (Holmer, Carson kick), 14:53. Huskies 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, TOP 02:32 Third Quarter CONN - Smith, Terrence 1 yd run (Freeman, Chris kick), 6:04. Huskies 17–7. Drive: 14 plays, 60 yards, TOP 05:45 BALL - Holmer, Carson 23 yd field goal, 0:37. Huskies 17–10. Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, TOP 05:27 Fourth Quarter CONN - Edwards, Cam 32 yd run (Freeman, Chris kick), 10:24. Huskies 24–10. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, TOP 05:09 BALL - Ashley, Qua 1 yd run (Holmer, Carson kick), 3:28. Huskies 24–17. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, TOP 03:10 CONN - Edwards, Cam 67 yd run (Freeman,Chris kick), 1:50. Huskies 31–17. Drive: 3 plays, 68 yards, TOP 01:35 BALL - Patel, Dahya 11 yd pass from Kelly, Kiael (Gross, Koby pass), 0:09. Huskies 31–25. Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 01:30

Statistics	BALL	CONN
First downs	19	17
Total yards	404	398
Rushing yards	176	217
Passing yards	228	181
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	18-25-1	20-30-0
Time of possession	27:44	32:16

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing	Kiael Kelly	17/24, 209 yards, TD
	Rushing	Qua Ashley	18 carries, 86 yards, TD
	Receiving	Donovan Hamilton	7 receptions, 61 yards
UConn	Passing	Joe Fagnano	20/30, 181 yards, TD
	Rushing	Cam Edwards	24 carries, 194 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Skyler Bell	14 receptions, 113 yards, TD

Ohio

See also: 2025 Ohio Bobcats football team

Ohio Bobcats (3–2) vs. Ball State Cardinals (1–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bobcats	7	7	0	0	14
Cardinals	0	0	10	10	20

at Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, Indiana

• Date: October 4
• Game time: 12:00 PM EDT
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 81 °F (27 °C) • Wind: SW at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h)
• Game attendance: 8,427
• Referee: Chris La Mange
• TV announcers (CBSSN): Fran Charles (play-by-play) and Randy Cross (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (04:39) OHIO – Duncan Brune 1-yard run (David Dellenbach kick), 5 plays, 50 yards, 1:58 OHIO 7–0 Second quarter (03:24) OHIO – Rodney Harris II 23-yard pass from Parker Navarro (David Dellenbach kick), 9 plays, 70 yards, 3:57; OHIO 14–0 Third quarter (07:05) BALL – Kiael Kelly 13-Yd Run (Carson Holmer Kick), 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:27; OHIO 14–7 (00:25) BALL – Carson Holmer 22-Yd Field Goal, 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:23; OHIO 14–10 Fourth quarter (08:39) BALL – -1-yard Team Safety; OHIO 14–12 (00:57) BALL – Qian Magwood 43-yard pass from Kiael Kelly (Kiael Kelly Pass to Donovan Hamilton), 9 plays, 70 yards, 2:07; BALL 20–14

Statistics	OHIO	BALL
First downs	18	20
Total yards	66–356	75–357
Rushing yards	37–168	42–172
Passing yards	188	185
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	16–29–0	17–33–0
Time of possession	28:09	31:51

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ohio	Passing	Parker Navarro	16/29, 188 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Parker Navarro	13 rushes, 77 yards
	Receiving	Chase Hendricks	8 receptions, 104 yards
Ball State	Passing	Kiael Kelly	17/33, 185 yards
	Rushing	Kiael Kelly	29 rushes, 66 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Qian Magwood	4 receptions, 92 yards, 1 TD

at Western Michigan

See also: 2025 Western Michigan Broncos football team

Ball State Cardinals (2–3) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (3–3) – Game summary

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

at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, Michigan

• Date: October 11
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Shawn Kenney (play-by-play) and Marcus Ray (analyst)

Statistics	BALL	WMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Western Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Akron

See also: 2025 Akron Zips football team

Akron Zips (2–5) vs. Ball State Cardinals (2–4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Zips	-	-	-	-	0
Cardinals	-	-	-	-	0

at Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, Indiana

• Date: October 18
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Jason Ross Jr. (play-by-play) and Tyoka Jackson (analyst)

Statistics	AKR	BALL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Akron	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Ball State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Northern Illinois (Bronze Stalk Trophy)

See also: 2025 Northern Illinois Huskies football team and Bronze Stalk Trophy

Ball State Cardinals (3–4) vs. Northern Illinois Huskies (1–6) – Game summary

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

at Huskie Stadium • DeKalb, Illinois

• Date: October 25
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
• TV: ESPN+

Statistics	BALL	NIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Northern Illinois	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Kent State

See also: 2025 Kent State Golden Flashes football team

Kent State Golden Flashes (0–0) vs. Ball State Cardinals (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Flashes	-	-	-	-	0
Cardinals	-	-	-	-	0

at Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, Indiana

• Date: November 5

Statistics	KENT	BALL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kent State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Ball State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Eastern Michigan

See also: 2025 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team

Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–0) vs. Ball State Cardinals (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	-	-	-	-	0
Cardinals	-	-	-	-	0

at Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, Indiana

• Date: November 15

Statistics	EMU	BALL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Ball State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Toledo

See also: 2025 Toledo Rockets football team

Ball State Cardinals (0–0) vs. Toledo Rockets (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	-	-	-	-	0
Rockets	-	-	-	-	0

at Glass Bowl • Toledo, Ohio

• Date: November 22

Statistics	BALL	TOL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Toledo	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Miami (OH)

See also: 2025 Miami RedHawks football team

Ball State Cardinals (0–0) vs. Miami RedHawks (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	-	-	-	-	0
RedHawks	-	-	-	-	0

at Yager Stadium • Oxford, Ohio

• Date: November 29

Statistics	BALL	M-OH
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ball State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Miami (OH)	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

1. "Ball State Football Transfer Portal". ON3.
2. "Ball State Cardinals 2025 College Football Transfer Portal". 247Sports.
3. "2025 FCS-to-FBS Transfers". herosports.
4. "Uremovich Adds 12 More Football Student-Athletes on National Signing Day". ballstatesports. February 5, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
5. "Uremovich Welcomes 25 Mid-Year Enrollees In First Incoming Class at Ball State". ballstatesports. January 15, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
6. "Mike Uremovich Named 19th Head Coach in Ball State Football History". ballstatesports. December 4, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
7. "Uremovich Names Nine Coaches to Ball State Football Coaching Staff". ballstatesports. December 17, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
8. "Uremovich Adds Six More to Ball State Football Staff". ballstatesports. December 20, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
9. "2025 Division I FBS Media Days". www.sportswriters.net. FWAA. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
10. "Toledo Selected as Favorite in Head Coaches Preseason Football Poll". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. July 24, 2025. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
11. "2025 Ball State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 12, 2025.