First Quarter The Central Michigan Chippewas started with the ball and drove down the field with ease against the struggling Ball State defense in less than three minutes. Central Michigan's quarterback, Cooper Rush capped off the six-play, 75-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Corey Willis. Ball State took over at the 23-yard line, but could not do anything with it.
Sitting at 2-5, with their backs against the wall the rest of the season, Ball State (2-5, 1-2) will be playing Central Michigan (3-4, 2-1) on Oct. 24.
In the midst of Ball State football's second-longest losing streak this decade, head coach Pete Lembo is looking for answers.
The Ball State football team ranks in the nation's top 10 in two statistical categories. But head coach Pete Lembo isn't happy about it. The Cardinals rank tied for sixth in the nation with 12 field goals made, and are tied for seventh with 16 field goal attempts. Despite freshman Hagee's efficiency this season - especially from 30 yards and in - part of Ball State's problem is the inability to move the ball in the red zone.
Late in the fourth quarter, Ball State's defense was attempting to get Georgia State off the field, then the proverbial backbreaker happened.
Focus, or lack thereof, continues to be an issue for Ball State football this season. After a loss to the Georgia State Panthers, the team's losing streak has grown to four games.
During Ball State's 31-19 loss to Georgia State, mistakes stood out for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals suffered their fifth loss of the season, losing 19-31 to the visiting Georgia State Panthers.
First Quarter The Georgia State Panthers start off with the ball, but led by Kevin Willis, they force a three-and-out on the first drive. Ball State gets the ball at their own 21-yard line, and Riley Neal starts off the drive in rhythm.
The Ball State football team is six weeks into the season, and this weekend they will face off against a Georgia State football team that is six years into their programs history.
The Cardinals have been battling the injury bug since the beginning of the season; through the midway point, it remains a constant issue.
Ball State wide receiver Jordan Williams' strong start to the season has catapulted his name into the national conversation.
After a 59-41 loss against Northern Illinois Oct. 10, Ball State dropped to 2-4 (1-2) on the season. Even though the offense has played well with Riley Neal as quarterback, the Cardinals' defense has remained inconsistent, to say the least.
Balance is what head coach Pete Lembo looks for in Ball State’s football team — a balanced plan of attack between the rushing and passing games.
Early in the season, the running game was the Cardinals' strong suit on offense. The Cardinals have since shifted to a pass-heavy offense led by senior wide receiver Jordan Williams.
Riley Neal had his best game as the starting quarterback against the Northern Illinois Huskies, despite the 59-41 loss.
First Quarter The Northern Illinois Huskies won the toss and deferred to the second half. Ball State starts three-and-out -- which included two dropped passes from KeVonn Mabon and Jordan Hogue -- but Kyle Schmidt’s punt hits a Northern Illinois player at their 41-yard line.
Ball State will face off against a very similar Mid-American rival, Northern Illinois, Oct. 10.
When Ball State recruited quarterback Riley Neal, they expected him to be their future. Little did they know, that future would begin in the first month of the season.
Second-half adjustments have been key to the Ball State football team's performance both offensively and defensively this season. Head coach Pete Lembo spoke at his weekly press conference on Oct. 6, touching on the team's performance against Toledo.
