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2021 Ball State Cardinals football team

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2021 Ball State Cardinals football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record6–7 (4–4 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorKevin Lynch (2nd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorTyler Stockton (3rd season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumScheumann Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Mid-American Conference football standings
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
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant

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

[edit]
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 Michigan
ESPNUW 45–2011,403
October 162:00 p.m.at Eastern Michigan
ESPN+W 38–3115,258
October 233:30 p.m.Miami (OH)dagger
  • Scheumann Stadium
  • Muncie, IN (Red Bird Rivalry)
ESPN+L 17–2415,703
November 27:00 p.m.at Akron
CBSSNW 31–257,683
November 107:00 p.m.at Northern Illinois
ESPN2L 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
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[1]

Rankings

[edit]
Further information: 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRV
CoachesRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Game summaries

[edit]

Western Illinois

[edit]
Western Illinois at Ball State
1 234Total
Western Illinois 0 777 21
• Ball State 7 01410 31
See also: 2021 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team
Pregame line Over/under
BSU –31.0 58.5
Statistics Western Illinois Ball State
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

[edit]
Ball State at No. 11 Penn State
1 234Total
Ball State 0 607 13
• No. 11 Penn State 14 101010 44
       
Scoring summary
110:01PSUNoah Cain 5-yard run (Jordan Stout kick)PSU 7–0
5:53PSUSean Clifford 1-yard run (Jordan Stout kick)PSU 14–0
214:25BSUJake Chanove 24-yard field goalPSU 14–3
11:22PSUJordan Stout 45-yard field goalPSU 17–3
2:50PSUJahan Dotson 25-yard pass from Sean Clifford (Jordan Stout kick)PSU 24–3
0:00BSUJake Chanove 23-yard field goalPSU 24–6
35:56PSUJesse Luketa 16-yard interception (Jordan Stout kick)PSU 31–6
1:53PSUJordan Stout 26-yard field goalPSU 34–6
49:59PSUJordan Stout 22-yard field goalPSU 37–6
6:58BSUCarson Steele 6-yard run (Jake Chanove kick)PSU 37–13
2:10PSUTheo Johnson 23-yard pass from Ta'Quan Roberson (Jordan Stout kick)PSU 44–13
See also: 2021 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
Pregame line Over/under
PSU –22.5 58.0
Statistics Ball State Penn State
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

[edit]
Ball State at Wyoming
1 234Total
Ball State 0 066 12
• Wyoming 10 21014 45
     
Scoring summary
17:42WYOJohn Hoyland 24-yard field goal
(7 plays, 53 yards, 2:45)		WYO 3–0
5:46WYOKeyon Blankenbaker 52-yard interception (John Hoyland kick)
(5 plays, 23 yards, 1:56)		WYO 10–0
214:55WYOTreyton Welch 1-yard reception from Sean Chambers (John Hoyland kick)
(8 plays, 80 yards, 3:14)		WYO 17–0
3:51WYODawaiian McNeely 16-yard run (John Hoyland kick)
(6 plays, 68 yards, 2:48)		WYO 24–0
0:17WYOSean Chambers 1-yard run (John Hoyland kick)
(5 plays, 31 yards, 0:25)		WYO 31–0
31:59BALLWill Jones 1-yard run (kick no good)
(15 plays, 87 yards, 5:34)		WYO 31–6
411:04WYOXazavian Valladay 1-yard run (John Hoyland kick)
(11 plays, 75 yards, 5:55)		WYO 38–6
8:21BALLCarson Steele 19-yard run (2-point pass incomplete)
(8 plays, 75 yards, 2:43)		WYO 38–12
6:35WYOChad Muma 40-yard interception (John Hoyland kick)
(1 play, 0 yards, 0:09)		WYO 45–12
See also: 2021 Wyoming Cowboys football team
Pregame line Over/under
WYO –6.5 53.0
Statistics Ball State Wyoming
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

[edit]
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+
See also: 2021 Toledo Rockets football team
Pregame line Over/under
TOL –4.5 56.5
Statistics Toledo Ball State
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

[edit]
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
  • 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)
    
Scoring summary
114:48BALLJustin Hall 99-yard kickoff return (Jake Chanove kick)
(0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00)		BALL 7–0
10:26BALLJayshon Jackson 45-yard pass from Drew Plitt (Jake Chanove kick)
(1 play, 45 yards, 0:08)		BALL 14–0
4:48BALLCarson Steele 2-yard rush (Jake Chanove kick)
(10 plays, 57 yards, 3:30)		BALL 21–0
213:14ARMYTyhier Tyler 4-yard rush (Cole Talley kick)
(12 plays, 75 yards, 6:34)		BALL 21–7
1:37ARMYTyhier Tyler 2-yard rush (Cole Talley kick)
(14 plays, 80 yards, 8:19)		BALL 21–14
48:00BALLYo'Heinz Tyler 18-yard pass from Drew Plitt (Jake Chanove kick)
(3 plays, 45 yards, 0:49)		BALL 28–14
2:09ARMYTEAM 6-yard safety
(0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00)		BALL 28–16
See also: 2021 Army Black Knights football team
Pregame line Over/under
ARMY –10.0 47.0
Statistics Army Ball State
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

[edit]
Ball State at Western Michigan
1 234Total
• Ball State 7 10721 45
Western Michigan 14 330 20
See also: 2021 Western Michigan Broncos football team
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

[edit]
Ball State at Eastern Michigan
1 234Total
• Ball State 14 3714 38
Eastern Michigan 0 14314 31
See also: 2021 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team
Pregame line Over/under
BALL –1.0 55.5
Statistics Ball State Eastern Michigan
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
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)

[edit]
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+
See also: 2021 Miami RedHawks football team
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

[edit]
Ball State at Akron
1 234Total
• Ball State 7 1473 31
Akron 3 7015 25
See also: 2021 Akron Zips football team
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)

[edit]
Bronze Stalk Trophy
1 234Total
Ball State 10 793 29
• Northern Illinois 0 17310 30
See also: 2021 Northern Illinois Huskies football team and 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

[edit]
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
See also: 2021 Central Michigan Chippewas football team
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

[edit]
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+
See also: 2021 Buffalo Bulls football team
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)

[edit]
Camellia Bowl
1 234Total
• Georgia State 14 6283 51
Ball State 7 607 20
  • 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)
         
Scoring summary
18:59BALLJayshon Jackson 56-yard reception from Drew Plitt (Jake Chanove kick)
(2 plays, 61 yards, 0:38)		BALL 7–0
4:55GSUAubry Payne 18-yard reception from Darren Grainger (Noel Ruiz kick)
(10 plays, 75 yards, 4:04)		TIED 7–7
2:02GSUJavon Denis 37-yard fumble recovery (Noel Ruiz kick)GSU 14–7
214:11GSUNoel Ruiz 27-yard field goal
(7 plays, 24 yards, 1:48)		GSU 17–7
9:20BALLJacob Lewis 34-yard field goal
(7 plays, 30 yards, 2:06)		GSU 17–10
6:01GSUNoel Ruiz 28-yard field goal
(8 plays, 65 yards, 3:19)		GSU 20–10
0:18BALLJacob Lewis 43-yard field goal
(13 plays, 53 yards, 5:43)		GSU 20–13
312:05GSURobert Lewis 10-yard reception from Darren Grainger (Noel Ruiz kick)
(8 plays, 75 yards, 2:55)		GSU 27–13
7:08GSUDarren Grainger 34-yard run (Noel Ruiz kick)
(7 plays, 68 yards, 3:29)		GSU 34–13
1:33GSUAubry Payne 16-yard reception from Darren Grainger (Noel Ruiz kick)
(5 plays, 71 yards, 1:37)		GSU 41–13
0:00GSUAntavious Lane 55-yard interception (Noel Ruiz kick)GSU 48–13
49:03GSUNoel Ruiz 45-yard field goal
(8 plays, 38 yards, 3:27)		GSU 51–13
3:13BALLDrew Plitt 1-yard run (Jake Chanove kick)
(15 plays, 75 yards, 5:50)		GSU 51–20
See also: 2021 Georgia State Panthers football team and 2021 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

[edit]
  1. ^ "2021 Ball State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
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