Photo by: Bobby Ellis/Ball State University
Kelly Looks to Extend 6-2 Home Record as Cardinals Host Eastern Michigan
November 14, 2025 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. -- As the Ball State football program prepares for Senior Day this weekend, one student-athlete to be honored Saturday afternoon is quarterback Kiael Kelly, who has built a dominant resume as leader of the Cardinals' offense at Scheumann Stadium.
Kelly enters Ball State's matchup against Eastern Michigan with a 4–0 home record in 2025 and a 6–2 mark overall as the Cardinals' starting quarterback in Muncie. This season, Kelly has helped lead the squad to wins over New Hampshire (34-29), Ohio (20-14), Akron (42-28), and Kent State (17-13). Kelly's leadership has guided an offense that has leaned on his ground attacks and big passing plays in crucial late-game moments.
Kelly's consistency at home began taking shape two seasons ago, when he went 2–2 in starts at home in 2023. That year included wins over Central Michigan (24-17) and Kent State (34-3), as well as narrow losses to Toledo (13-6) and Miami (OH) (17-15).
Now in his final year with the program, Kelly has delivered the most productive passing season of his career. His 1,155 passing yards in 2025 have already surpassed the total from his first three seasons combined (608), more than doubling his career output to 1,763 yards entering Saturday. His four starts at home this season make up 584 yards of his career-best productivity, throwing six touchdowns, which is also a career best.
In Kelly's 15 career starts, he has totaled 1,107 rushing yards on 265 carries, averaging 73.8 yards per game. He has rushed for at least 90 yards in six of those starts, including two performances this season at home versus New Hampshire (101) and Ohio (96). At Scheumann Stadium in 2023, he reached the 90-yard mark versus Toledo (99) and Miami (OH) (136).
Kelly aims to march the Cardinals to a perfect 5-0 record at home when Ball State faces Eastern Michigan at noon Nov. 15 at Scheumann Stadium. Tickets to the game are available here. The contest will also be aired live on ESPN+ and WLBC 104.1 FM.
Â
Kelly enters Ball State's matchup against Eastern Michigan with a 4–0 home record in 2025 and a 6–2 mark overall as the Cardinals' starting quarterback in Muncie. This season, Kelly has helped lead the squad to wins over New Hampshire (34-29), Ohio (20-14), Akron (42-28), and Kent State (17-13). Kelly's leadership has guided an offense that has leaned on his ground attacks and big passing plays in crucial late-game moments.
Kelly's consistency at home began taking shape two seasons ago, when he went 2–2 in starts at home in 2023. That year included wins over Central Michigan (24-17) and Kent State (34-3), as well as narrow losses to Toledo (13-6) and Miami (OH) (17-15).
Now in his final year with the program, Kelly has delivered the most productive passing season of his career. His 1,155 passing yards in 2025 have already surpassed the total from his first three seasons combined (608), more than doubling his career output to 1,763 yards entering Saturday. His four starts at home this season make up 584 yards of his career-best productivity, throwing six touchdowns, which is also a career best.
In Kelly's 15 career starts, he has totaled 1,107 rushing yards on 265 carries, averaging 73.8 yards per game. He has rushed for at least 90 yards in six of those starts, including two performances this season at home versus New Hampshire (101) and Ohio (96). At Scheumann Stadium in 2023, he reached the 90-yard mark versus Toledo (99) and Miami (OH) (136).
Kelly aims to march the Cardinals to a perfect 5-0 record at home when Ball State faces Eastern Michigan at noon Nov. 15 at Scheumann Stadium. Tickets to the game are available here. The contest will also be aired live on ESPN+ and WLBC 104.1 FM.
Â
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballThis Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Mike Uremovich & Jeff Mitchell
Friday, November 14
Football // Together: Episode 10 - Produced by Sports Link
Thursday, November 13
Ball State Football Press Conference - Nov. 10, 2025
Tuesday, November 11
Football // Cinematic Recap vs. Kent State
Sunday, November 09