Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Ball State Seeks Road Win in Series Marked by Close Finishes
October 10, 2025 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State heads to Kalamazoo, Mich. Saturday for its 52nd all-time meeting with Western Michigan, looking to continue a series that has consistently produced close finishes in recent years.
Last season's 45-42 loss to the Broncos in Muncie marked the fourth time in the last seven years that the matchup was decided by five points or fewer. In those last seven meetings, Western Michigan holds a narrow 4-3 edge, though the teams have split the four matchups decided by five points or fewer. Ball State's last win in Kalamazoo came in 2021, a 45-20 victory.
The 2024 contest featured one of the most explosive starts in Ball State history, with the teams combining for 35 points in the first quarter, the most in any Cardinal game since at least 2000. It also marked the most recent time four different Ball State players recorded receiving touchdowns: tight end Christian Abney, nose tackle Drew Hughes, and receivers Cam Pickett and Ty Robinson. The game also included the Cardinals' last kickoff return touchdown as well, a 97-yard score from 2024 All-MAC returner Malcolm Gillie, who ranked 11th nationally that season.
Close games have become a theme for Ball State beyond this matchup. Six of the Cardinals' eight Mid-American Conference contests last season were decided by six points or fewer, including five by three points or less. It was the first time in program history that a MAC season featured that many tight margins. Counting last week's win over Ohio, 10 of Ball State's last 13 league games have been decided by six points or fewer.
Kickoff from Waldo Stadium is scheduled for Oct. 11 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be available on ESPN+ and WLBC 104.1 FM.
The Cardinals return to Scheumann Stadium Oct. 18 to take on Akron in Ball State's annual homecoming game. Tickets are still available.
Last season's 45-42 loss to the Broncos in Muncie marked the fourth time in the last seven years that the matchup was decided by five points or fewer. In those last seven meetings, Western Michigan holds a narrow 4-3 edge, though the teams have split the four matchups decided by five points or fewer. Ball State's last win in Kalamazoo came in 2021, a 45-20 victory.
The 2024 contest featured one of the most explosive starts in Ball State history, with the teams combining for 35 points in the first quarter, the most in any Cardinal game since at least 2000. It also marked the most recent time four different Ball State players recorded receiving touchdowns: tight end Christian Abney, nose tackle Drew Hughes, and receivers Cam Pickett and Ty Robinson. The game also included the Cardinals' last kickoff return touchdown as well, a 97-yard score from 2024 All-MAC returner Malcolm Gillie, who ranked 11th nationally that season.
Close games have become a theme for Ball State beyond this matchup. Six of the Cardinals' eight Mid-American Conference contests last season were decided by six points or fewer, including five by three points or less. It was the first time in program history that a MAC season featured that many tight margins. Counting last week's win over Ohio, 10 of Ball State's last 13 league games have been decided by six points or fewer.
Kickoff from Waldo Stadium is scheduled for Oct. 11 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be available on ESPN+ and WLBC 104.1 FM.
The Cardinals return to Scheumann Stadium Oct. 18 to take on Akron in Ball State's annual homecoming game. Tickets are still available.
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