Saturday, September 10
Muncie, Ind.
2:00 PM ET
Ball State University
vs
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Western Michigan
Ball State set to host home opener vs. MAC West foe Western Michigan
September 08, 2022 | Football
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Cardinals and Broncos slated to kick off at 2 p.m. ET Saturday
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State returns home for the first time since last November as it hosts Western Michigan Saturday afternoon inside Scheumann Stadium.
For the Cardinals, it's a rare opportunity for a conference game as a home opener. Saturday's duel will mark the earliest date (Sept. 10) the teams have ever met. The matchup also marks the earliest conference game by Ball State since facing Eastern Michigan on Aug. 30, 2012, and is also the earliest home conference opener since battling Miami on Aug. 30, 2007.
The winner of this annual game has gone on to finish higher in the end-of-year league standings in 11 of the last 12 seasons with the lone exception being the 2018 campaign.
"They all mean a lot, but certainly in this conference, it's competitive top to bottom," head coach Mike Neu said. "That's the beauty of our conference here playing in some competitive games. Over the last three years, we've been in 15 one-possession in the Mid-American Conference.
"They're all big. It's the next game on our schedule, it just happens to be against Western Michigan. We know each other well, we've been in some battles with them over the last four years, and it's going to be the same thing Saturday."
The Cardinals have won the last two duels with the Broncos, winning 45-20 in Kalamazoo, Mich. last season and 30-27 in a wild finish at Scheumann Stadium in 2020.
The game will be broadcast on the airwaves with new Voice of the Cardinals Mick Tidrow, Nick Traub and Jack McMullen on the Ball State Gainbridge Radio Network, WLBC and SiriusXM 988. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Ryan Cavanaugh describing the action.
With the forecast expected to be in the 80s, fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a pregame performance from the Pride of Mid-America marching band, national anthem and a scheduled aircraft flyover prior to kickoff.
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Inside the Series
Ball State and Western Michigan are scheduled to square off for the 49th time in series history Saturday. The Broncos lead the overall series, 26-22, but the Cardinals have won three of the last four, including the last two.
Saturday's duel will mark the earliest date (Sept. 10) the teams have ever met. The two teams have met four times in September all-time, with the earliest matchup coming in the first game in series history: Sept. 18, 1971.
Coach Neu on Western Michigan…
"They're a well-rounded team. They're breaking in a new quarterback, but I thought Jack Salopek handled himself well the other night against Michigan State. He made really good decisions, didn't force the ball, made some big-time throws and showed his ability to scramble and make plays with his feet. He's got playmakers around him. We feel like John Paddock has playmakers around him here and he's got playmakers around him there. Those two running backs, La'Darius Jefferson and Sean Tyler, have been with them. You've got thunder and lightning, or whatever you want to call them, but they're two good running backs. We know Corey Crooms, too. They're a good defensive team, too. They're going to try to heat you up and bring pressure. This is going to be a great challenge for us."
Home Openers
Ball State has won 12 consecutive home openers dating back to 2010, including all six under head coach Mike Neu. In that span, the Cardinals have had their opener be a conference game - both wins vs. Eastern Michigan in 2012 and 2020.
The Season Opener
Ball State had a few notable things happen from the 2022 opener at Tennessee. The Cardinals had eight first-time starters: QB John Paddock, WR Amir Abdur-Rahman, TE Brady Hunt, DE Kyle King, LB Cole Pearce, S Jaquan Amos, S Jack Blanco and S Jordan Riley.
Ball State's defense held Tennessee to a 38.5 percent conversion rate on third down (5-of-13), which included 2-of-8 through the first three quarters. Blanco led the defense with nine tackles in his first career start. He had six tackles in his career entering the night.
In his first collegiate game, TE Tanner Koziol record two catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.
For the Cardinals, it's a rare opportunity for a conference game as a home opener. Saturday's duel will mark the earliest date (Sept. 10) the teams have ever met. The matchup also marks the earliest conference game by Ball State since facing Eastern Michigan on Aug. 30, 2012, and is also the earliest home conference opener since battling Miami on Aug. 30, 2007.
The winner of this annual game has gone on to finish higher in the end-of-year league standings in 11 of the last 12 seasons with the lone exception being the 2018 campaign.
"They all mean a lot, but certainly in this conference, it's competitive top to bottom," head coach Mike Neu said. "That's the beauty of our conference here playing in some competitive games. Over the last three years, we've been in 15 one-possession in the Mid-American Conference.
"They're all big. It's the next game on our schedule, it just happens to be against Western Michigan. We know each other well, we've been in some battles with them over the last four years, and it's going to be the same thing Saturday."
The Cardinals have won the last two duels with the Broncos, winning 45-20 in Kalamazoo, Mich. last season and 30-27 in a wild finish at Scheumann Stadium in 2020.
The game will be broadcast on the airwaves with new Voice of the Cardinals Mick Tidrow, Nick Traub and Jack McMullen on the Ball State Gainbridge Radio Network, WLBC and SiriusXM 988. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Ryan Cavanaugh describing the action.
With the forecast expected to be in the 80s, fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a pregame performance from the Pride of Mid-America marching band, national anthem and a scheduled aircraft flyover prior to kickoff.
Â
"I'm really excited to start in The Scheu and run out there with my guys in front of the home crowd." - @John_Paddock5
— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) September 9, 2022
Ready for the home opener ??#1AAT x #WeFly pic.twitter.com/6IlX3Vyncs
Inside the Series
Ball State and Western Michigan are scheduled to square off for the 49th time in series history Saturday. The Broncos lead the overall series, 26-22, but the Cardinals have won three of the last four, including the last two.
Saturday's duel will mark the earliest date (Sept. 10) the teams have ever met. The two teams have met four times in September all-time, with the earliest matchup coming in the first game in series history: Sept. 18, 1971.
Coach Neu on Western Michigan…
"They're a well-rounded team. They're breaking in a new quarterback, but I thought Jack Salopek handled himself well the other night against Michigan State. He made really good decisions, didn't force the ball, made some big-time throws and showed his ability to scramble and make plays with his feet. He's got playmakers around him. We feel like John Paddock has playmakers around him here and he's got playmakers around him there. Those two running backs, La'Darius Jefferson and Sean Tyler, have been with them. You've got thunder and lightning, or whatever you want to call them, but they're two good running backs. We know Corey Crooms, too. They're a good defensive team, too. They're going to try to heat you up and bring pressure. This is going to be a great challenge for us."
Home Openers
Ball State has won 12 consecutive home openers dating back to 2010, including all six under head coach Mike Neu. In that span, the Cardinals have had their opener be a conference game - both wins vs. Eastern Michigan in 2012 and 2020.
The Season Opener
Ball State had a few notable things happen from the 2022 opener at Tennessee. The Cardinals had eight first-time starters: QB John Paddock, WR Amir Abdur-Rahman, TE Brady Hunt, DE Kyle King, LB Cole Pearce, S Jaquan Amos, S Jack Blanco and S Jordan Riley.
Ball State's defense held Tennessee to a 38.5 percent conversion rate on third down (5-of-13), which included 2-of-8 through the first three quarters. Blanco led the defense with nine tackles in his first career start. He had six tackles in his career entering the night.
In his first collegiate game, TE Tanner Koziol record two catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.
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