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 | |
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Camellia Bowl, L 20–51 vs. Georgia State | |
Conference | Mid-American Conference |
West Division | |
2021 record | 6–7 (4–4 MAC) |
Head coach |
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Offensive coordinator | Kevin Lynch (2nd season) |
Defensive coordinator | Tyler Stockton (3rd season) |
Home stadium | Scheumann Stadium (Capacity: 22,500) |
2021 Mid-American Conference football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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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
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 | N/A | |
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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 |
---|---|---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|---|
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
|
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 |
---|---|---|---|
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
|
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
|
Pregame line | Over/under |
---|---|
WMU –12.5 | 57.5 |
Statistics | Ball State | Western Michigan |
---|---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|---|
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
|
Pregame line | Over/under |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|---|
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
|
Pregame line | Over/under |
---|---|
BALL –20.0 | 58.0 |
Statistics | Ball State | Akron |
---|---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|---|
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 |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|---|
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 |
---|---|
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)
|
Pregame line | Over/under |
---|---|
GAST –4.5 | 50.0 |
Statistics | Georgia State | Ball State |
---|---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|---|
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.
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