Ball State ready to roll vs. Army

MUNCIE, Ind. – When Ball State takes the field Saturday evening at Scheumann Stadium, it is set to face a stern challenge. Sure, the Cardinals have played in front of 100,000 fans as well as at the highest-elevated stadium in college football already this year, but when toe meets leather at 5 p.m. ET, it'll be an attack that the home team is not used to seeing on a regular basis.

However, Ball State (1-3) has been preparing for the opportunity, not only in the week leading up to the game, but even months ago.

"It's a unique challenge and something you don't see week to week," Ball State head coach Mike Neu said. "Our staff has done a good job preparing, even in the summer when there were some windows or taking a day here or there in the spring dedicated to the looks that we would see from Army. Our guys are embracing the challenge. It's a great opportunity to compete against a program like Army."

With its unique offense that can be labeled as the option, flexbone or Wing-T, Army (4-0) is known for its ability to run the ball through the use of misdirection and disguise. Despite attempting just 18 passes on the season – good for six percent of their plays – the Black Knights have made a living on the ground, owning the nation's best average time of possession at 40:29 and second-best rushing offense in the country at 344.5 yards per game.

With all of the visual trickeration, how to stop the attack comes back to the basics, according to Coach Neu.

"It's about being disciplined. You've still got to tackle. You've still got to run to the ball. Those are the things, no matter who the opponent is, you preach. They just happen to have more than one ball carrier available on certain plays and you've got to have enough discipline to know who's got who. It's still football."

The game will be carried on 104.1 WLBC, online at BallStateSports.com and on the Varsity Network app with the Ball State Radio Network trio of Joel Godett, Rich Spisak and Jack McMullen breaking down the action. The game will also be available on ESPN+ with Jim Barbar and Tyoka Jackson on the call.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Ball State will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Scheumann Family Indoor Practice Facility Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m. ET. The ceremony will be open to the public and located adjacent to the Venderly Football Team Center and Fisher Football Training Complex near Scheumann Stadium.

Named in honor of late Ball State graduate and former Cardinals football player John Scheumann and his wife, June, the 84,000 square-foot Scheumann Family Indoor Practice Facility is utilized by the baseball, football, soccer, and softball teams during inclement weather. It also provides opportunities for the entire campus and broader community, including the Pride of Mid-America Marching Band.

In keeping with updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all Ball State employees, students, and campus visitors -- irrespective of their vaccination status -- must wear a mask while inside any University building.

The facility will be open to the public from 3-5 p.m.

Inside the Series: Army

Ball State and Army are slated to face off for the seventh time in series history Saturday in Muncie.

The Cardinals have won three of the last four duels with the Black Knights, including twice inside Scheumann Stadium.

The magic number between the two sides has been 24. Each winner has scored at least 24 points in all six of the previous meetings with the series tied at 3-3.

Coach Neu on Army…
"They're a good football team. The first thing that jumps out is the effort – how hard they play and how physical they are. They're really good at their system and what they do. It's a great challenge."

Familiar Faces

Army has a pair of former Ball State assistants on its staff in Daryl Dixon and Keith Gaither. Dixon, who coaches Army's cornerbacks, spent seven seasons in Muncie from 2009-15 while working with outside linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties throughout his stint with the Cardinals. Gaither, who serves as the wide receivers coach for the Black Knights, served in a similar role for Ball State for four seasons between 2011-15.

Against the Service Academies

Ball State is 6-3 against the likes of Air Force, Army and Navy in its history. The Cardinals have played the Black Knights the most of the three service academies with the series tied at 3-3. Ball State and Navy have squared off three times with the Cardinals taking all three results. Ball State and Air Force have yet to meet on the gridiron.

More on the Game

In addition to the game, there will be approximately 50 people officially enlisting in the Army. They are slated to be taking an oath at halftime. Blackhawk helicopters are also scheduled to fly over Scheumann Stadium prior to the start of the game. Members of the military will be presenting the flag, which includes members of National Guard, ROTC and active military.

Next Event

Related Videos