Saturday, September 25
Muncie, Ind.
2:00 PM ET
Ball State University
vs
Toledo
Cardinals Prepare for New Season, Welcome Toledo for MAC Opener
September 24, 2021 | Football
Kickoff set for 2 p.m. ET inside Scheumann Stadium
MUNCIE, Ind. – A new season is on the horizon as Ball State welcomes Toledo for the first game in Mid-American Conference play Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET inside Scheumann Stadium.
"We're excited to have our conference opener this weekend against Toledo, especially having it at Scheumann Stadium," Ball State head coach Mike Neu said. "I like what I saw on the practice field this week, and I like where the attitude and mindset are at."
Despite a 1-2 start to the year, the Cardinals have shifted their focus to taking care business in league play. And that was noticed immediately after returning from Wyoming last weekend.
"I know what we're capable of," Neu added. "When I saw us really get after it in the weight room on Sunday after we got back in the wee hours of the morning last Saturday, it was awesome. The attitude, intensity and the energy certainly told me everyone was in the right spot. We know what needs to be cleaned up. We know what needs to be fixed. It's about taking care of us right now."
There will be a lot of familiarity on the field Saturday as each team brings back every starter from last season except two, one on each side of the line for Ball State. With a majority of the production returning for both teams, the Cardinals and Rockets were projected to contend for the West Division title prior to the beginning of the 2021 season.
Ball State has found success against Toledo recently, winning the previous two meetings the last two seasons. However, the Rockets still hold the all-time series lead, 24-21-1. Neu and the Cardinals know the importance of this game.
"It's Ball State-Toledo. It's Game One of the MAC. We're both preparing to make sure that we have our best stuff on gameday."
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 Michael Reghi and Je'Rod Cherry on the call.
Inside the Series: Toledo
Ball State and Toledo are set to square off for the 47th time in series history Saturday. The Cardinals have won the last two meetings, including last season's 27-24 triumph inside the Glass Bowl. Ball State had lost four of the previous five duels at Toledo prior to the 2020 victory.
The Cardinals have won three straight against the Rockets just three times in series history, most recently between 2006-08.
In Ball State's previous seven opportunities, the Cardinals are 5-2 against the Rockets in the matchup following a road win in Toledo the year prior.
Coach Neu on Toledo...
"You pay attention to Bryant Koback, first and foremost. He's been a very productive runner for a long period of time at Toledo. They're going to try to establish the run. That's important to them because it will make everything else go. That will help get some more of their playmakers involved down the field. We're expecting a heavy dose of Bryant Koback just like we did a year ago and the year before that. Toledo has a very balanced attack. They've had guys that have been very productive runners. They also like to throw the ball."
MAC Openers
Ball State is 22-24 in its Mid-American Conference opener since joining the conference in 1975. The opening game has been important for the Cardinals in their MAC Championship seasons. Ball State is 4-2 in the first league game during its championship seasons, earning wins in 1976, 1978, 1989 and 1993. However, in the Cardinals' last two title-winning campaigns, Ball State lost its conference opener (1996, 2020). The Cardinals are 188-169 in conference games overall since joining the MAC.
MAC Home Openers
Ball State is 23-23 in its Mid-American Conference home opener all-time. The Cardinals have won the last three league home openers under head coach Mike Neu, defeating Kent State 52-24 in 2018, Toledo 52-14 in 2019, Eastern Michigan 38-31 in 2020.
On This Date
The Cardinals are 6-5 on Sept. 25 in program history, earning wins in 1931, 1954, 1965, 1971, 1976 and 2004. Ball State took has matched up with Toledo one time in series history on Sept. 25 and won 27-14 on the road.
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"We're excited to have our conference opener this weekend against Toledo, especially having it at Scheumann Stadium," Ball State head coach Mike Neu said. "I like what I saw on the practice field this week, and I like where the attitude and mindset are at."
Despite a 1-2 start to the year, the Cardinals have shifted their focus to taking care business in league play. And that was noticed immediately after returning from Wyoming last weekend.
"I know what we're capable of," Neu added. "When I saw us really get after it in the weight room on Sunday after we got back in the wee hours of the morning last Saturday, it was awesome. The attitude, intensity and the energy certainly told me everyone was in the right spot. We know what needs to be cleaned up. We know what needs to be fixed. It's about taking care of us right now."
There will be a lot of familiarity on the field Saturday as each team brings back every starter from last season except two, one on each side of the line for Ball State. With a majority of the production returning for both teams, the Cardinals and Rockets were projected to contend for the West Division title prior to the beginning of the 2021 season.
Ball State has found success against Toledo recently, winning the previous two meetings the last two seasons. However, the Rockets still hold the all-time series lead, 24-21-1. Neu and the Cardinals know the importance of this game.
"It's Ball State-Toledo. It's Game One of the MAC. We're both preparing to make sure that we have our best stuff on gameday."
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 Michael Reghi and Je'Rod Cherry on the call.
Inside the Series: Toledo
Ball State and Toledo are set to square off for the 47th time in series history Saturday. The Cardinals have won the last two meetings, including last season's 27-24 triumph inside the Glass Bowl. Ball State had lost four of the previous five duels at Toledo prior to the 2020 victory.
The Cardinals have won three straight against the Rockets just three times in series history, most recently between 2006-08.
In Ball State's previous seven opportunities, the Cardinals are 5-2 against the Rockets in the matchup following a road win in Toledo the year prior.
Coach Neu on Toledo...
"You pay attention to Bryant Koback, first and foremost. He's been a very productive runner for a long period of time at Toledo. They're going to try to establish the run. That's important to them because it will make everything else go. That will help get some more of their playmakers involved down the field. We're expecting a heavy dose of Bryant Koback just like we did a year ago and the year before that. Toledo has a very balanced attack. They've had guys that have been very productive runners. They also like to throw the ball."
MAC Openers
Ball State is 22-24 in its Mid-American Conference opener since joining the conference in 1975. The opening game has been important for the Cardinals in their MAC Championship seasons. Ball State is 4-2 in the first league game during its championship seasons, earning wins in 1976, 1978, 1989 and 1993. However, in the Cardinals' last two title-winning campaigns, Ball State lost its conference opener (1996, 2020). The Cardinals are 188-169 in conference games overall since joining the MAC.
MAC Home Openers
Ball State is 23-23 in its Mid-American Conference home opener all-time. The Cardinals have won the last three league home openers under head coach Mike Neu, defeating Kent State 52-24 in 2018, Toledo 52-14 in 2019, Eastern Michigan 38-31 in 2020.
On This Date
The Cardinals are 6-5 on Sept. 25 in program history, earning wins in 1931, 1954, 1965, 1971, 1976 and 2004. Ball State took has matched up with Toledo one time in series history on Sept. 25 and won 27-14 on the road.
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