Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Kelly Closing the Gap on Career Rushing Record for Quarterbacks
September 02, 2025 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – In his eighth start in the position, redshirt senior quarterback Kiael Kelly demonstrated against Purdue in week one how he's one of the most skilled running field generals in Ball State's history.
The Cardinals' signal caller entered the 2025 season 715 yards shy of the program's career record for rushing yards by a quarterback, sitting at third all-time (898 total rushing yards). After gaining 63 during Ball State's visit to Ross-Ade Stadium this past weekend, that gap dropped to 652 (961 total rushing yards).
RUSHING YARDS BY A QUARTERBACK
Player Yards Att.
1. Art Yaroch, 1973-76 1,613 421
2. Riley Neal, 2015-18 1,363 325
3. Kiael Kelly, 2022-present 961 200
4. Dave Wilson, 1976-79 693 320
5. Talmadge Hill, 2000-03 582 309
Art Yaroch, who brought the Cardinals its first Mid-American Conference Championship in 1976, holds the Ball State record with 1,613 rushing yards by a quarterback. Riley Neal, quarterback from 2015-18, follows in second with 1,363.
Kelly rushed for 724 yards over just six starts in 2023, standing as a program single-season record for a quarterback. He became Ball State's third starting quarterback that season in week seven versus Toledo, although he actually started the season opener at Kentucky while lined up as a receiver.
As he makes his ninth career start Sept. 6 at Auburn, Kelly looks to continue his charge up the Ball State record book.
The Cardinals' signal caller entered the 2025 season 715 yards shy of the program's career record for rushing yards by a quarterback, sitting at third all-time (898 total rushing yards). After gaining 63 during Ball State's visit to Ross-Ade Stadium this past weekend, that gap dropped to 652 (961 total rushing yards).
RUSHING YARDS BY A QUARTERBACK
Player Yards Att.
1. Art Yaroch, 1973-76 1,613 421
2. Riley Neal, 2015-18 1,363 325
3. Kiael Kelly, 2022-present 961 200
4. Dave Wilson, 1976-79 693 320
5. Talmadge Hill, 2000-03 582 309
Art Yaroch, who brought the Cardinals its first Mid-American Conference Championship in 1976, holds the Ball State record with 1,613 rushing yards by a quarterback. Riley Neal, quarterback from 2015-18, follows in second with 1,363.
Kelly rushed for 724 yards over just six starts in 2023, standing as a program single-season record for a quarterback. He became Ball State's third starting quarterback that season in week seven versus Toledo, although he actually started the season opener at Kentucky while lined up as a receiver.
As he makes his ninth career start Sept. 6 at Auburn, Kelly looks to continue his charge up the Ball State record book.
Players Mentioned
QB
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