For the first time since 2015, Ball State won’t start the season with Mike Neu as the head coach. Neu was fired with two weeks remaining in the regular season. The Cardinals were 3-7 when he was let go and had three separate losses by three points against MAC opponents.
Less than three weeks later, Ball State announced it had hired Mike Uremovich as the replacement. Uremovich was the head coach at Butler for three seasons where he compiled a record of 23-11. He previously spent time at Northern Illinois and Temple.
Uremovich has a history of turning around underwhelming programs, and he’ll look to do the same at Ball State.
Ball State Football’s MAC Title Betting Odds
Ball State’s odds to win the MAC are +6000, via BetMGM.
Ball State Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Ball State’s win total Over/Under is 3.5, with Over 3.5 at -115 and Under 3.5 at -105.
Ball State Football’s 2025 Schedule
- Aug. 30 at Purdue
- Sept. 6 at Auburn
- Sept. 13 vs. New Hampshire
- Sept. 20 at UConn
- Oct. 4 vs. Ohio
- Oct. 11 at Western Michigan
- Oct. 18 vs. Akron
- Oct. 25 at Northern Illinois
- Nov. 5 vs. Kent State
- Nov. 15 vs. Eastern Michigan
- Nov. 22 at Toledo
- Nov. 29 at Miami (OH)
Bold indicates MAC contests
Key Ball State Football Returners
LB Joey Stemler
DB Willizhaun Yates
WR Qian Magwood
OL Chris Hood
Ball State Football Season Preview
Expect Ball State Quarterbacks To Run The Ball
Uremovich may have inherited the perfect quarterback for the offensive scheme we’ve seen from him. He will be the team’s play caller, and in two of his three seasons at Butler, a QB was the leading rusher.
Enter Kiael Kelly, who started six games at QB in 2023 while passing for 577 yards and rushing for another 724 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season, Kelly lined up at QB, running back, and wide receiver. He’s expected to return under center where he can thrive in Uremovich’s system. Walter Taylor also transferred from Colorado and is a big QB that likes to run and could see some snaps.
Ball State Brings In Transfer Running Backs and Receivers
The Cardinals landed All-Conference USA RB Qua Ashley in the transfer portal. Ashley is a major threat as a kickoff returner but also rushed for 409 yards and one TD and hauled in 28 receptions for 255 yards last year. Returning redshirt sophomore TJ Horton should also get some carries after rushing for 107 yards on 28 carries in 2024.
While Ball State should be a run-first offense this season, it’s not because they aren’t lacking any pass-catching talent. It returns slot wideout Qian Magwood and Ty Robinson on the outside. Magwood started 10 games over the past two years, and Robinson was expected to play a big role the past two years but suffered two consecutive season-ending injuries. He has plenty of potential to be an all-conference player and will be a weapon if he can stay healthy.
Eric Weatherly transferred from Bucknell where he had 75 receptions for 865 yards and eight TDs, and tight end Koby Gross will be a big target and was an all-conference selection at Florida A&M last season. Both will bolster the offense.
Hood is the lone returning starter on the offensive line so it’ll be a new-look group. But former first-team All-Pioneer Leaguer Adam Dolan transfers in from Butler and should be a solid addition. They’ll be tested early against a pair of Power Four schools in Purdue and Auburn.
Ball State Defense Looks To Improve
Although this is the second year under defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles, it’s hard to know what to expect from a defense that will feature a lot of new faces.
Stemler is the top returning tackler after securing 56 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss in 11 starts last season. The Cardinals have a unique SNIPER position on defense, which is similar to a STAR or a JACK position. Old Dominion transfer Ashton Whitner seems like a favorite to start in this spot while Zavier Simpson and others could also earn some reps.
Yates showed some promise last year as a true freshman and finished with 17 tackles, an interception, and two pass breakups in seven starts. Yates and Roman Pearson — another Bucknell transfer — should be the two starting corners. Pearson started 11 games and had 40 tackles and 11 passes defended last season.
Deondre Shepherd, Michael Gravely Jr., Avery Stuart, and DJ Fields should all see some playing time at safety.
Bryant transfer Nathan Voorhis comes in after recording 47 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and five sacks last season and should start on the defensive line alongside returnees Darin Conley and Drew Hughes, who started 11 games.
Ball State Football Season Prediction
I don’t predict Ball State will win the MAC or make a run to a bowl game, but I like the Cardinals to at least match last year’s 3-9 campaign with some improvement.
Uremovich has proven he can rebuild a program more than once, which gives me belief he can do the same with the Cardinals.
