Ball State University
1-2 , 0-0
University of New Hampshire
2-1 , 0-0
Cardinals Victorious in Home Opener Versus New Hampshire
September 13, 2025 | Football
The Cardinals (1-2, 0-0 MAC) rushed for a total of 308 yards, the most at Scheumann Stadium since Ball State recorded 376 versus Toledo in 2019. Leading the charge against the Wildcats was Ashley, who finished with 154 rushing yards along with two rushing touchdowns. Ashley was also on the receiving end of a Kelly throw in the third quarter, bringing his touchdown total to three on the day.
Kelly's 105 passing yards and 102 rushing yards cemented him as the first Ball State player since 2000 with at least 100 yards in both categories in a single game. He completed nine of his 15 attempts for two touchdowns.
Kelly has eclipsed 1,000 total rushing yards for his career (1,045). He is third on Ball State's career rushing list by a quarterback.
The Cardinals' run game ruled the day, but the defense forced New Hampshire into four field goal attempts and stymied the Wildcats' offense.
Following Kelly's lone interception and Eric Weatherly's muffed punt, both in the second quarter, defensive standouts Nathan Voorhis and Micah Wing sacked New Hampshire QB Matt Vezza on third down, ending a short drive that started at the Ball State 7-yardline. The Wildcats were forced to settle for a field goal, which was wide right from 23 yards out.
New Hampshire went 2-of-4 on field goals, with their longest coming from 52 yards in the third period. The Wildcats' four field goal attempts were a tribute to the Cardinals' defense forcing UNH inefficiency. UNH ran 58 plays for 280 yards that consumed nearly 30 minutes of elapsed time, compared to 381 yards by the Cardinals, on 38 plays and just 16 minutes.
New Hampshire opened the contest with a quick TD following a blocked punt, but both teams traded scores until Ball State took the lead for good on a 10-yard scoring pass from Kelly to freshman tight end Kameron Anthony with 20 seconds left in the first half. It was Anthony's first career touchdown and it staked the Cardinals to the lead, then 28-21, it never relinquished.
Ashley scored on a 27-yard throw from Kelly to open scoring in the third period to give the Cardinals a cushion with a 34-21 advantage.
The 52-yard field goal brought the Wildcats within 34-24, and a safety and field goal brought UNH within 34-29 in the game's final minutes.
Senior linebacker Jack Beebe led the defensive effort with nine tackles. Five different players accounted for four sacks, and the Cardinals produced nine tackles for loss.
Kelly threw his first interception of the season, and while the Ball State defense didn't come up with any interceptions, the Cardinals got a combined seven pass break-ups from Dejuan Echoles Jr., Will Yates, Jahmad Harmon and Jackson Wiegold.
The Cardinals look to continue the momentum as they travel to Connecticut Sept. 20 to take on the Huskies, with the start time set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Team Stats
UNH 7, BSU 0
UNH - Tighe,Brendan 30 yd punt return (Reed,Nick kick)
UNH 7, BSU 7
BSU - Kelly,Kiael 40 yd run (Holmer,Carson kick), 6 plays, 69 yards, TOP 02:57
UNH 14, BSU 7
UNH - Wilson,Chase 13 yd pass from Vezza,Matt (Reed,Nick kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:27
UNH 14, BSU 14
BSU - Ashley,Qua 43 yd run (Holmer,Carson kick), 2 plays, 64 yards, TOP 00:47
UNH 14, BSU 21
BSU - Ashley,Qua 72 yd run (Holmer,Carson kick), 2 plays, 80 yards, TOP 00:42
UNH 21, BSU 21
UNH - Vezza,Matt 2 yd run (Reed,Nick kick), 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:25
UNH 21, BSU 28
BSU - Anthony,Kameron 10 yd pass from Kelly,Kiael (Holmer,Carson kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:27
UNH 21, BSU 34
BSU - Ashley,Qua 27 yd pass from Kelly,Kiael () 8 plays, 74 yards, TOP 04:02
UNH 24, BSU 34
UNH - Reed,Nick 52 yd field goal 13 plays, 59 yards, TOP 06:04
UNH 26, BSU 34
UNH - Akinmoladun,Justice 0 yd safety
UNH 29, BSU 34
UNH - Reed,Nick 29 yd field goal 7 plays, 49 yards, TOP 03:46
