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
Record6–7 (4–4 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorKevin Lynch (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorTyler Stockton (3rd season)
Home stadiumScheumann Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Mid-American Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
Kent State xy 62  77 
Miami (OH) 53  76 
Ohio 35  39 
Bowling Green 26  48 
Buffalo 26  48 
Akron 17  210 
West Division
Northern Illinois xy$ 62  95 
Central Michigan x 62  94 
Toledo 53  76 
Ball State 44  67 
Eastern Michigan 44  76 
Western Michigan 44  85 
Championship: Northern Illinois 41, Kent State 23
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant

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 20–517,345
  • *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
1234Total
Western Illinois077721
Ball State70141031
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 IllinoisPassingConnor Sampson30/43, 367 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingMyles Wanza8 carries, 37 yards
ReceivingDennis Houston12 receptions, 237 yards, 2 TDs
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt17/28, 188 yards, 2 TDs
RushingWill Jones18 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJustin Hall8 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TDs

At No. 11 Penn State

Ball State at No. 11 Penn State
1234Total
Ball State060713
• No. 11 Penn State1410101044
       
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 StatePassingDrew Plitt25/39, 176 yards, 2 INTs
RushingCarson Steele7 carries, 18 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJayshon Jackson4 receptions, 42 yards
Penn StatePassingSean Clifford21/29, 230 yards, 1 TD
RushingNoah Cain20 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJahan Dotson5 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD

At Wyoming

Ball State at Wyoming
1234Total
Ball State006612
Wyoming102101445
     
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 StatePassingJohn Paddock13/20, 82 yards, 1 INT
RushingCarson Steele13 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJayshon Jackson10 receptions, 92 yards
WyomingPassingSean Chambers14/23, 201 yards, 1 TD
RushingXazavian Valladay14 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingIsaiah Neyor4 receptions, 84 yards

Toledo

Toledo at Ball State
1234Total
Toledo770822
Ball State630312
  • 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
ToledoPassingCarter Bradley10/18, 144 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingDequan Finn12 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDevin Maddox2 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt21/35, 190 yards
RushingJustin Hall5 carries, 64 yards
ReceivingJustin Hall7 receptions, 97 yards

Army

Army at Ball State
1234Total
Army0140216
Ball State2100728
  • Date: October 2, 2021
  • Location: Scheumann Stadium
    Muncie, IN
  • Game start: 5:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 13,713
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 68 °F (20 °C) • Wind: S 9 MPH
  • Referee: Ron Hudson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jim Barbar (play-by-play) & Tyoka Jackson (analyst)
    
Pregame lineOver/under
ARMY –10.047.0
StatisticsArmyBall State
First downs1812
Total yards279269
Rushing yards21336
Passing yards66233
Turnovers20
Time of possession33:0326:57
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ArmyPassingJemel Jones5/11, 66 yards, 1 INT
RushingTyhier Tyler24 carries, 63 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingIsaiah Alston2 receptions, 36 yards
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt17/28, 233 yards, 2 TDs
RushingCarson Steele8 carries, 17 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingYo'Heinz Tyler5 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD

At Western Michigan

Ball State at Western Michigan
1234Total
Ball State71072145
Western Michigan1433020
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 StatePassingDrew Plitt15/25, 310 yards, 4 TDs
RushingCarson Steele10 carries, 41 yards
ReceivingYo'Heinz Tyler5 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TDs
Western MichiganPassingKaleb Eleby19/33, 257 yards, 2 INTs
RushingLa'Darius Jefferson21 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingSkyy Moore7 receptions, 81 yards

At Eastern Michigan

Ball State at Eastern Michigan
1234Total
Ball State14371438
Eastern Michigan01431431
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 StatePassingDrew Plitt27/35, 207 yards, 1 TD
RushingCarson Steele18 carries, 138 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJustin Hall10 receptions, 58 yards
Eastern MichiganPassingBen Bryant35/48, 331 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
RushingJawon Hamilton8 carries, 40 yards
ReceivingDylan Drummond7 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD

Miami (Ohio)

Red Bird Rivalry
1234Total
Miami (OH)1060824
Ball State737017
  • 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
MiamiPassingBrett Gabbert20/24, 207 yards, 2 TDs
RushingTyre Shelton14 carries, 46 yards
ReceivingJack Sorenson8 receptions, 138 yards
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt22/34, 227 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingCarson Steele11 carries, 49 yards
ReceivingJayshon Jackson9 receptions, 121 yards, 1 TD

At Akron

Ball State at Akron
1234Total
Ball State7147331
Akron3701525
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 StatePassingDrew Plitt18/31, 185 yards, 3 TDs
RushingCarson Steele27 carries, 154 yards
ReceivingJustin Hall8 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD
AkronPassingZach Gibson24/31, 331 yards, 2 TDs
RushingJonzell Norrils17 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMichael Mathison8 receptions, 154 yards, 1 TD

At Northern Illinois (Bronze Stalk Trophy)

Bronze Stalk Trophy
1234Total
Ball State1079329
Northern Illinois01731030
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 StatePassingDrew Plitt11/26, 126 yards, 1 TD
RushingCarson Steele21 carries, 109 yards
ReceivingJalen McGaughy1 reception, 45 yards
Northern IllinoisPassingRocky Lombardi23/38, 264 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJay Ducker24 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTrayvon Rudolph8 receptions, 108 yards

Central Michigan

Central Michigan at Ball State
1234Total
Central Michigan7216337
Ball State7100017
  • 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 MichiganPassingDaniel Richardson20/25, 283 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
RushingLew Nichols III32 carries, 219 yards, 3 TDs
ReceivingKalil Pimpleton7 receptions, 144 yards, 1 TD
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt21/39, 170 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingCarson Steele20 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJayshon Jackson6 receptions, 61 yards

Buffalo

Buffalo at Ball State
1234Total
Buffalo03003
Ball State1433020
  • 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
BuffaloPassingMatt Myers18/39, 188 yards, 4 INTs
RushingMatt Myers16 carries, 78 yards
ReceivingRon Cook Jr.4 receptions, 56 yards
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt19/31, 176 yards, 1 TD
RushingCarson Steele25 carries, 45 yards
ReceivingJayshon Jackson9 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD

Vs. Georgia State (Camellia Bowl)

Camellia Bowl
1234Total
Georgia State14628351
Ball State760720
  • Date: December 25, 2021
  • Location: Cramton Bowl
    Montgomery, AL
  • Game start: 2:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 7,345
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C) • Weather: Partly cloudy • Wind: SW 13 MPH
  • Referee: Kevin Vicknair
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Hutson Mason (analyst), and Abby Labar (sideline)
         
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 StatePassingDarren Grainger15/19, 203 yards, 3 TDs
RushingDarren Grainger11 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingAubry Payne8 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TDs
Ball StatePassingDrew Plitt27/46, 293 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingCarson Steele15 carries, 62 yards
ReceivingJayshon Jackson12 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD

References