2021 Ball State Cardinals football team
American college football season
2021 Ball State Cardinals football | |
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Camellia Bowl, L 20–51 vs. Georgia State | |
Conference | Mid-American Conference |
Division | West Division |
Record | 6–7 (4–4 MAC) |
Head coach |
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Offensive coordinator | Kevin Lynch (2nd season) |
Offensive scheme | Multiple |
Defensive coordinator | Tyler Stockton (3rd season) |
Base defense | 3–4 |
Home stadium | Scheumann Stadium |
Seasons |
| Conf | Overall | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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September 2 | 7:00 p.m. | Western Illinois* | ESPN+ | W 31–21 | 13,149 | |
September 11 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 11 Penn State* | FS1 | L 13–44 | 105,323 | |
September 18 | 4:00 p.m. | at Wyoming* |
| Stadium | L 12–45 | 23,467 |
September 25 | 2:00 p.m. | Toledo |
| ESPN+ | L 12–22 | 14,902 |
October 2 | 5:00 p.m. | Army* |
| ESPN+ | W 28–16 | 13,713 |
October 9 | 3:30 p.m. | at Western Michigan | ESPNU | W 45–20 | 11,403 | |
October 16 | 2:00 p.m. | at Eastern Michigan | ESPN+ | W 38–31 | 15,258 | |
October 23 | 3:30 p.m. | Miami (OH)![]() |
| ESPN+ | L 17–24 | 15,703 |
November 2 | 7:00 p.m. | at Akron | CBSSN | W 31–25 | 7,683 | |
November 10 | 7:00 p.m. | at Northern Illinois | ESPN2 | L 29–30 | 7,894 | |
November 17 | 7:00 p.m. | Central Michigan |
| ESPNU | L 17–37 | 5,602 |
November 23 | 7:00 p.m. | Buffalo |
| ESPN+ | W 20–3 | 6,112 |
December 25 | 2:30 p.m. | vs. Georgia State* | ESPN | L 20–51 | 7,345 | |
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Rankings
Week | ||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
AP | RV | RV | ||||||||||||||
Coaches | RV | RV | ||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | Not released |
Game summaries
Western Illinois
|
Pregame line | Over/under |
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BSU –31.0 | 58.5 |
Statistics | Western Illinois | Ball State |
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First downs | 17 | 18 |
Total yards | 437 | 404 |
Rushing yards | 70 | 216 |
Passing yards | 367 | 188 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Time of possession | 31:02 | 28:58 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Western Illinois | Passing | Connor Sampson | 30/43, 367 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
Rushing | Myles Wanza | 8 carries, 37 yards | |
Receiving | Dennis Houston | 12 receptions, 237 yards, 2 TDs | |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 17/28, 188 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Will Jones | 18 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Justin Hall | 8 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TDs |
At No. 11 Penn State
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Pregame line | Over/under |
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PSU –22.5 | 58.0 |
Statistics | Ball State | Penn State |
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First downs | 20 | 32 |
Total yards | 295 | 493 |
Rushing yards | 69 | 240 |
Passing yards | 226 | 253 |
Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
Time of possession | 25:51 | 34:09 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 25/39, 176 yards, 2 INTs |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 7 carries, 18 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 4 receptions, 42 yards | |
Penn State | Passing | 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
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Pregame line | Over/under |
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WYO –6.5 | 53.0 |
Statistics | Ball State | Wyoming |
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First downs | 19 | 19 |
Total yards | 260 | 378 |
Rushing yards | 118 | 177 |
Passing yards | 142 | 201 |
Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
Time of possession | 30:11 | 29:49 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Ball State | Passing | John Paddock | 13/20, 82 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 13 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 10 receptions, 92 yards | |
Wyoming | Passing | Sean Chambers | 14/23, 201 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Xazavian Valladay | 14 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Isaiah Neyor | 4 receptions, 84 yards |
Toledo
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Pregame line | Over/under |
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TOL –4.5 | 56.5 |
Statistics | Toledo | Ball State |
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First downs | 19 | 17 |
Total yards | 444 | 312 |
Rushing yards | 272 | 122 |
Passing yards | 172 | 190 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Time of possession | 33:03 | 26:57 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Toledo | Passing | Carter Bradley | 10/18, 144 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Dequan Finn | 12 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Devin Maddox | 2 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD | |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 21/35, 190 yards |
Rushing | Justin Hall | 5 carries, 64 yards | |
Receiving | Justin Hall | 7 receptions, 97 yards |
Army
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Pregame line | Over/under |
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ARMY –10.0 | 47.0 |
Statistics | Army | Ball State |
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First downs | 18 | 12 |
Total yards | 279 | 269 |
Rushing yards | 213 | 36 |
Passing yards | 66 | 233 |
Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
Time of possession | 33:03 | 26:57 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Army | Passing | Jemel Jones | 5/11, 66 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | Tyhier Tyler | 24 carries, 63 yards, 2 TDs | |
Receiving | Isaiah Alston | 2 receptions, 36 yards | |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 17/28, 233 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 8 carries, 17 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Yo'Heinz Tyler | 5 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD |
At Western Michigan
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Pregame line | Over/under |
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WMU –12.5 | 57.5 |
Statistics | Ball State | Western Michigan |
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First downs | 18 | 23 |
Total yards | 361 | 376 |
Rushing yards | 51 | 119 |
Passing yards | 310 | 257 |
Turnovers | 0 | 4 |
Time of possession | 23:37 | 36:23 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 15/25, 310 yards, 4 TDs |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 10 carries, 41 yards | |
Receiving | Yo'Heinz Tyler | 5 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TDs | |
Western Michigan | Passing | Kaleb Eleby | 19/33, 257 yards, 2 INTs |
Rushing | La'Darius Jefferson | 21 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Skyy Moore | 7 receptions, 81 yards |
At Eastern Michigan
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Pregame line | Over/under |
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BALL –1.0 | 55.5 |
Statistics | Ball State | Eastern Michigan |
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First downs | 29 | 27 |
Total yards | 433 | 385 |
Rushing yards | 200 | 46 |
Passing yards | 233 | 339 |
Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Time of possession | 32:43 | 27:17 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 27/35, 207 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 18 carries, 138 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Justin Hall | 10 receptions, 58 yards | |
Eastern Michigan | Passing | Ben Bryant | 35/48, 331 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
Rushing | Jawon Hamilton | 8 carries, 40 yards | |
Receiving | Dylan Drummond | 7 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD |
Miami (Ohio)
|
Pregame line | Over/under |
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BALL –3.5 | 53.0 |
Statistics | Miami | Ball State |
---|---|---|
First downs | 18 | 20 |
Total yards | 360 | 327 |
Rushing yards | 126 | 100 |
Passing yards | 234 | 227 |
Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Time of possession | 34:32 | 25:28 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Miami | Passing | Brett Gabbert | 20/24, 207 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Tyre Shelton | 14 carries, 46 yards | |
Receiving | Jack Sorenson | 8 receptions, 138 yards | |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 22/34, 227 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 11 carries, 49 yards | |
Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 9 receptions, 121 yards, 1 TD |
At Akron
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Pregame line | Over/under |
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BALL –20.0 | 58.0 |
Statistics | Ball State | Akron |
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First downs | 25 | 20 |
Total yards | 425 | 458 |
Rushing yards | 240 | 127 |
Passing yards | 185 | 331 |
Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
Time of possession | 29:54 | 30:06 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 18/31, 185 yards, 3 TDs |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 27 carries, 154 yards | |
Receiving | Justin Hall | 8 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD | |
Akron | Passing | Zach Gibson | 24/31, 331 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Jonzell Norrils | 17 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Michael Mathison | 8 receptions, 154 yards, 1 TD |
At Northern Illinois (Bronze Stalk Trophy)
|
Pregame line | Over/under |
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BALL –3.0 | 59.0 |
Statistics | Ball State | Northern Illinois |
---|---|---|
First downs | 17 | 26 |
Total yards | 372 | 475 |
Rushing yards | 246 | 211 |
Passing yards | 126 | 264 |
Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Time of possession | 23:16 | 36:44 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 11/26, 126 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 21 carries, 109 yards | |
Receiving | Jalen McGaughy | 1 reception, 45 yards | |
Northern Illinois | Passing | Rocky Lombardi | 23/38, 264 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Jay Ducker | 24 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Trayvon Rudolph | 8 receptions, 108 yards |
Central Michigan
|
Pregame line | Over/under |
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CMU –2.5 | 57.0 |
Statistics | Central Michigan | Ball State |
---|---|---|
First downs | 26 | 18 |
Total yards | 567 | 329 |
Rushing yards | 285 | 159 |
Passing yards | 282 | 170 |
Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Time of possession | 32:47 | 27:13 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Central Michigan | Passing | 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 State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 21/39, 170 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 20 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 6 receptions, 61 yards |
Buffalo
|
Pregame line | Over/under |
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BALL –6.0 | 59.5 |
Statistics | Buffalo | Ball State |
---|---|---|
First downs | 22 | 13 |
Total yards | 336 | 230 |
Rushing yards | 148 | 54 |
Passing yards | 188 | 176 |
Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
Time of possession | 29:40 | 30:20 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Buffalo | Passing | Matt Myers | 18/39, 188 yards, 4 INTs |
Rushing | Matt Myers | 16 carries, 78 yards | |
Receiving | Ron Cook Jr. | 4 receptions, 56 yards | |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 19/31, 176 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 25 carries, 45 yards | |
Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 9 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD |
Vs. Georgia State (Camellia Bowl)
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Pregame line | Over/under |
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GAST –4.5 | 50.0 |
Statistics | Georgia State | Ball State |
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First downs | 21 | 22 |
Total yards | 464 | 367 |
Rushing yards | 259 | 74 |
Passing yards | 205 | 293 |
Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Time of possession | 26:46 | 33:14 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 15/19, 203 yards, 3 TDs |
Rushing | Darren Grainger | 11 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Aubry Payne | 8 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TDs | |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 27/46, 293 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 15 carries, 62 yards | |
Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 12 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD |
References
- ^ "2021 Ball State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.