Bears, 'Canes, Dukes and Commodores Comprise 2024 Non-Conference Football Schedule
December 14, 2023 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State University's 2024 non-conference football schedule was solidified this week with Vanderbilt University completing a four-game slate that complements the Cardinals' annual eight-game schedule in the Mid-American Conference.
The Vanderbilt date in Nashville was brokered late in the traditional scheduling timeline as a result of a vacancy created when Army – originally slotted as the Cardinals' home opener on Aug. 31 – dropped Ball State from its 2024 schedule due to contractual obligations while joining the American Athletic Conference as a full-time member next fall.
That departure left Ball State with only five home games and an 11-game schedule. Vandy, though, faced a similar vacancy on Oct. 19, and the two schools partnered on a patchwork solution.
"I am pleased that we negotiated a great opportunity to play Vanderbilt in October," said Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. "Football scheduling is a complex endeavor especially when previously scheduled opponents have a shift in conference affiliation. As we weighed all options in scheduling a fourth non-conference game, playing Vanderbilt is in the best interest of our program."
On Sept. 7, Ball State will open its season at Scheumann Stadium against FCS opponent Missouri State, which plays in the same conference as recent Cardinal foes Indiana State and Murray State. The Cardinals visit South Florida a week later, battling the Miami Hurricanes on Sept. 14 in what is Ball State's first meeting against an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent since traveling to NC State in 2019.
The Cardinals open their MAC schedule on Sept. 21, battling a conference rival as part of the league's new single-division format, minus its East and West distinctions. (The MAC schedule will be released this spring.)
The non-conference slate continues with a road game on Sept. 28 at Sun Belt Conference power James Madison. Two more weeks of MAC play will lead into the mid-October bout at Vanderbilt. Ball State will visit a Southeastern Conference opponent for the third straight year while meeting the Commodores for the first time in school history.
October 26 marks a return to the league schedule, with #MAC-tion play scheduled during November and the MAC Championship Game scheduled for Dec. 6.
2024 Ball State Non-Conference Football Schedule
Sept. 7 vs. Missouri State
Sept. 14 at Miami (Fla.)
Sept. 28 at James Madison
Oct. 19 at Vanderbilt
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The Vanderbilt date in Nashville was brokered late in the traditional scheduling timeline as a result of a vacancy created when Army – originally slotted as the Cardinals' home opener on Aug. 31 – dropped Ball State from its 2024 schedule due to contractual obligations while joining the American Athletic Conference as a full-time member next fall.
That departure left Ball State with only five home games and an 11-game schedule. Vandy, though, faced a similar vacancy on Oct. 19, and the two schools partnered on a patchwork solution.
"I am pleased that we negotiated a great opportunity to play Vanderbilt in October," said Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. "Football scheduling is a complex endeavor especially when previously scheduled opponents have a shift in conference affiliation. As we weighed all options in scheduling a fourth non-conference game, playing Vanderbilt is in the best interest of our program."
On Sept. 7, Ball State will open its season at Scheumann Stadium against FCS opponent Missouri State, which plays in the same conference as recent Cardinal foes Indiana State and Murray State. The Cardinals visit South Florida a week later, battling the Miami Hurricanes on Sept. 14 in what is Ball State's first meeting against an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent since traveling to NC State in 2019.
The Cardinals open their MAC schedule on Sept. 21, battling a conference rival as part of the league's new single-division format, minus its East and West distinctions. (The MAC schedule will be released this spring.)
The non-conference slate continues with a road game on Sept. 28 at Sun Belt Conference power James Madison. Two more weeks of MAC play will lead into the mid-October bout at Vanderbilt. Ball State will visit a Southeastern Conference opponent for the third straight year while meeting the Commodores for the first time in school history.
October 26 marks a return to the league schedule, with #MAC-tion play scheduled during November and the MAC Championship Game scheduled for Dec. 6.
2024 Ball State Non-Conference Football Schedule
Sept. 7 vs. Missouri State
Sept. 14 at Miami (Fla.)
Sept. 28 at James Madison
Oct. 19 at Vanderbilt
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