Saturday, August 30
West Lafayette, IN
12:00 p.m.
Ball State University
0
at
31
Purdue University
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Cardinals Fall in Season Opener at Purdue
August 30, 2025 | Football
West Lafayette, Ind. -- Ball State entered game one of the Uremovich era at West Lafayette Saturday afternoon in front of nearly 54,000 in attendance at Ross-Ade Stadium, opening the 2025 season with a 31-0 setback against Purdue.
The Boilermakers (1-0) took two plays in 36 seconds after receiving the ball in the first quarter to cover 72 yards in their first of two scoring drives in the first quarter. The Cardinals (0-1) struggled to match the opening pace, combining for 48 yards while controlling the ball for just over eight minutes in their three drives in quarter one.
The Cardinals opted for a run-heavy offense against the Boilermakers, totaling 116 yards on 36 attempts in the game. Redshirt senior quarterback Kiael Kelly led the running effort with 63 yards on 22 attempts, including charges of 10 and 12 during the team's 13-play, 48-yard drive through the start of the third.
The drive concluded on Purdue's 27 with a missed field goal. Ball State missed a second attempt on Purdue's 12 at the conclusion of the Cardinals' only trip to the endzone during the fourth.
Redshirt junior running back Qua Ashley followed closely with 43 rushing yards. His two biggest runs came in the Cardinals' longest drive of the first half (33 yards, eight plays), running 14 and 21 yards, allowing the Cardinals to find their rhythm and temporarily slow down the Boilermakers.
On the defensive front, senior Nathan Voorhis recorded a sack to send Purdue back nine yards. Ball State totaled five tackles for a loss of 17 yards total. Voorhis also tallied four tackles, matching redshirt senior linebacker Alfred Chea. Joey Stemler led Ball State with seven tackles, while defensive backs Jahmad Harmon, Derek "DJ" Fields and Willizhuan Yates were all credited with a pass breakup.
The Cardinals look ahead at their next stop, with a Sept. 6 matchup at Auburn. Kickoff takes place at 7:30 p.m.
The Boilermakers (1-0) took two plays in 36 seconds after receiving the ball in the first quarter to cover 72 yards in their first of two scoring drives in the first quarter. The Cardinals (0-1) struggled to match the opening pace, combining for 48 yards while controlling the ball for just over eight minutes in their three drives in quarter one.
The Cardinals opted for a run-heavy offense against the Boilermakers, totaling 116 yards on 36 attempts in the game. Redshirt senior quarterback Kiael Kelly led the running effort with 63 yards on 22 attempts, including charges of 10 and 12 during the team's 13-play, 48-yard drive through the start of the third.
The drive concluded on Purdue's 27 with a missed field goal. Ball State missed a second attempt on Purdue's 12 at the conclusion of the Cardinals' only trip to the endzone during the fourth.
Redshirt junior running back Qua Ashley followed closely with 43 rushing yards. His two biggest runs came in the Cardinals' longest drive of the first half (33 yards, eight plays), running 14 and 21 yards, allowing the Cardinals to find their rhythm and temporarily slow down the Boilermakers.
On the defensive front, senior Nathan Voorhis recorded a sack to send Purdue back nine yards. Ball State totaled five tackles for a loss of 17 yards total. Voorhis also tallied four tackles, matching redshirt senior linebacker Alfred Chea. Joey Stemler led Ball State with seven tackles, while defensive backs Jahmad Harmon, Derek "DJ" Fields and Willizhuan Yates were all credited with a pass breakup.
The Cardinals look ahead at their next stop, with a Sept. 6 matchup at Auburn. Kickoff takes place at 7:30 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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