Ball State Looks to Build on Long History of League Openers
October 03, 2025 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State plays its 51st conference opener this weekend, hosting defending champion Ohio at Scheumann Stadium.
The Cardinals have opened Mid-American Conference play at home 27 times, going 11-16 in those contests. Overall, Ball State holds a 22-28 record in league openers since joining MAC competition in 1975. Their longest winning streak in conference openers is four straight, a mark achieved three times: 1975–78, 1992–95 and 2010–13.
The Bobcats have been the opponent on three occasions in conference openers, with Ball State winning all three meetings: a 31-14 victory at Ohio in 1983, a 24-16 road win in 1993 and a 21-14 win at home in 1994.
Conference openers have previously carried championship implications for the Cardinals. Ball State opened league play with wins over Miami (OH) in 1976 (23-6) and 1978 (38-14), claiming MAC titles in both seasons. The same was true in 1989, when Ball State beat Bowling Green 28-3. In 1993, the Cardinals' win at Ohio set the stage for another championship run.
Altogether, there have been 11 occasions throughout Ball State's history where the victor of the Cardinals' conference opener has gone on to win the league.
Ball State has opened against defending MAC champions before, including those victories over Miami in 1976 and 1978 and a win against Central Michigan in 2010 (31-17).
Saturday's noon contest between Ball State and Ohio will be live on CBS Sports Network and WLBC 104.FM.
The Cardinals have opened Mid-American Conference play at home 27 times, going 11-16 in those contests. Overall, Ball State holds a 22-28 record in league openers since joining MAC competition in 1975. Their longest winning streak in conference openers is four straight, a mark achieved three times: 1975–78, 1992–95 and 2010–13.
The Bobcats have been the opponent on three occasions in conference openers, with Ball State winning all three meetings: a 31-14 victory at Ohio in 1983, a 24-16 road win in 1993 and a 21-14 win at home in 1994.
Conference openers have previously carried championship implications for the Cardinals. Ball State opened league play with wins over Miami (OH) in 1976 (23-6) and 1978 (38-14), claiming MAC titles in both seasons. The same was true in 1989, when Ball State beat Bowling Green 28-3. In 1993, the Cardinals' win at Ohio set the stage for another championship run.
Altogether, there have been 11 occasions throughout Ball State's history where the victor of the Cardinals' conference opener has gone on to win the league.
Ball State has opened against defending MAC champions before, including those victories over Miami in 1976 and 1978 and a win against Central Michigan in 2010 (31-17).
Saturday's noon contest between Ball State and Ohio will be live on CBS Sports Network and WLBC 104.FM.
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