Ball State University Athletics
Wednesday, November 4
Amherst, MA
7 p.m.
Ball State University
at
Massachusetts
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
October 30, 2026 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State football enters its first midweek MACtion matchup of the season, looking to carry its recent success into Wednesday night's road contest at UMass. Head coach Mike Uremovich, Keldric Luster and Ameir Glenn joined the media Monday morning to discuss the upcoming road trip.
Coming off a bye week, the Cardinals enter the matchup with added rest and growing confidence after finding success over the past two weeks. Uremovich said the extended break has also allowed Ball State to get healthier heading into the final stretch of the season.
"We're healthier than we were," Uremovich said. "The health of our roster has gotten better, and we're hoping to get a few guys back."
Ball State will face a UMass team that Uremovich believes presents a greater challenge than its recent results suggest. The Minutemen won four consecutive games with quarterback William Watson III before dropping their next four after Watson suffered an injury.
With Watson expected to be back, containing the dual-threat quarterback will be one of the Cardinals' primary defensive priorities.
"We're not playing the team that's lost four games in a row," Uremovich said. "We're playing the team that's won four games in a row, and they'll be ready."
Ball State's defense enters the matchup with increased confidence after making strides against the run over its past two games. Glenn said the Cardinals must continue following the same approach that helped produce their recent success.
"Like Coach [Uremovich] says every week on the board, we need to be physical and assignment-sound," Glenn said. "I think as long as we stay on track with being physical and assignment-sound, we'll get the job done for sure."
The same confidence has carried over to the offense. Luster said Ball State's focus remains on correcting its own mistakes and mastering the game plan.
"Really, it's about just sticking to what we're used to and just worrying about us going through another week," Luster said. "I feel like if we fix the mistakes that we have and continue to worry about us and how we treat our game plan, how deep we dive into it and master the plan, I feel like it's going to be up to us to go out there and come out with a win."
Wednesday's matchup also gives the Cardinals an opportunity to play on a nationally televised stage as they transition into midweek MACtion.
"Our guys love MACtion," Uremovich said. "They love the opportunity to play on national TV."
For Luster, the Wednesday night matchup provides another opportunity for the Cardinals to showcase themselves on a larger stage.
"It's probably going to be one of the only few games on TV throughout the week, and you know a lot of people will be watching from home on TV," Luster said. "So, I feel like the stage is set. So why not go execute?"
Despite the added attention, Glenn said Ball State's approach remains the same as the Cardinals look to continue their recent momentum.
"I think we, as a team, are just looking at this as another game," Glenn said. "We're just trying to prepare for the same outcome we've gotten the past two weeks."
Ball State travels to UMass for midweek MACtion on Nov. 4, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and WLBC 104.1 FM.
Coming off a bye week, the Cardinals enter the matchup with added rest and growing confidence after finding success over the past two weeks. Uremovich said the extended break has also allowed Ball State to get healthier heading into the final stretch of the season.
"We're healthier than we were," Uremovich said. "The health of our roster has gotten better, and we're hoping to get a few guys back."
Ball State will face a UMass team that Uremovich believes presents a greater challenge than its recent results suggest. The Minutemen won four consecutive games with quarterback William Watson III before dropping their next four after Watson suffered an injury.
With Watson expected to be back, containing the dual-threat quarterback will be one of the Cardinals' primary defensive priorities.
"We're not playing the team that's lost four games in a row," Uremovich said. "We're playing the team that's won four games in a row, and they'll be ready."
Ball State's defense enters the matchup with increased confidence after making strides against the run over its past two games. Glenn said the Cardinals must continue following the same approach that helped produce their recent success.
"Like Coach [Uremovich] says every week on the board, we need to be physical and assignment-sound," Glenn said. "I think as long as we stay on track with being physical and assignment-sound, we'll get the job done for sure."
The same confidence has carried over to the offense. Luster said Ball State's focus remains on correcting its own mistakes and mastering the game plan.
"Really, it's about just sticking to what we're used to and just worrying about us going through another week," Luster said. "I feel like if we fix the mistakes that we have and continue to worry about us and how we treat our game plan, how deep we dive into it and master the plan, I feel like it's going to be up to us to go out there and come out with a win."
Wednesday's matchup also gives the Cardinals an opportunity to play on a nationally televised stage as they transition into midweek MACtion.
"Our guys love MACtion," Uremovich said. "They love the opportunity to play on national TV."
For Luster, the Wednesday night matchup provides another opportunity for the Cardinals to showcase themselves on a larger stage.
"It's probably going to be one of the only few games on TV throughout the week, and you know a lot of people will be watching from home on TV," Luster said. "So, I feel like the stage is set. So why not go execute?"
Despite the added attention, Glenn said Ball State's approach remains the same as the Cardinals look to continue their recent momentum.
"I think we, as a team, are just looking at this as another game," Glenn said. "We're just trying to prepare for the same outcome we've gotten the past two weeks."
Ball State travels to UMass for midweek MACtion on Nov. 4, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and WLBC 104.1 FM.
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