2021 Ball State Cardinals football team

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.

2021 Ball State Cardinals football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
DivisionWest Division
2021 record6–7 (4–4 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorKevin Lynch (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorTyler Stockton (3rd season)
Home stadiumScheumann Stadium
(Capacity: 22,500)
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

Previous season

The Cardinals finished the 2020 season 7–1, 5–1 in MAC play to finish in first place in the West Division. They went on to defeat Buffalo in the MAC Championship Game. The Cardinals were invited to the Arizona Bowl, where they defeated San Jose State for their first bowl game win in program history.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 27:00 p.m.Western Illinois*ESPN+W 31–2113,149
September 113:30 p.m.at No. 11 Penn State*FS1L 13–44105,323
September 184:00 p.m.at Wyoming*StadiumL 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 MichiganESPNUW 45–2011,403
October 162:00 p.m.at Eastern MichiganESPN+W 38–3115,258
October 233:30 p.m.Miami (OH)
  • Scheumann Stadium
  • Muncie, IN (Red Bird Rivalry)
ESPN+L 17-2415,703
November 27:00 p.m.at AkronCBSSNW 31–257,683
November 107:00 p.m.at Northern IllinoisESPN2L 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 20–51N/A
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • 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
APRVRV
CoachesRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Game summaries

Western Illinois

Western Illinois at Ball State
1 234Total
Western Illinois 0 777 21
Ball State 7 01410 31
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 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

Ball State at No. 11 Penn State
1 234Total
Ball State 0 607 13
No. 11 Penn State 14 101010 44
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 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

Ball State at Wyoming
1 234Total
Ball State 0 066 12
Wyoming 10 21014 45
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 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

Toledo at Ball State
1 234Total
Toledo 7 708 22
Ball State 6 303 12
  • 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
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

Army at Ball State
1 234Total
Army 0 1402 16
Ball State 21 007 28
  • Date: October 2, 2021
  • Location: Scheumann Stadium
    Muncie, IN
  • Game start: 5:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 13,713
  • Television network: ESPN+
Pregame lineOver/under
ARMY –10.047.0
StatisticsArmyBall State
First downs1812
Total yards279269
Rushing yards21336
Passing yards66233
Turnovers20
Time of possession33:0326:57
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
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

Ball State at Western Michigan
1 234Total
Ball State 7 10721 45
Western Michigan 14 330 20
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 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

Ball State at Eastern Michigan
1 234Total
Ball State 14 3714 38
Eastern Michigan 0 14314 31
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 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)

Red Bird Rivalry
1 234Total
Miami (OH) 10 608 24
Ball State 7 370 17
  • 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
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

Ball State at Akron
1 234Total
Ball State 7 1473 31
Akron 3 7015 25
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 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)

Bronze Stalk Trophy
1 234Total
Ball State 10 793 29
Northern Illinois 0 17310 30
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 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

Central Michigan at Ball State
1 234Total
Central Michigan 7 2163 37
Ball State 7 1000 17
  • 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 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

Buffalo at Ball State
1 234Total
Buffalo 0 300 3
Ball State 14 330 20
  • 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
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)

Camellia Bowl
1 234Total
Georgia State 14 6283 51
Ball State 7 607 20
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 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

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