Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Uremovich, Cardinals Embrace Challenge of Season Opener at No. 1 Ohio State
August 31, 2026 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State football opens its 2026 season Saturday with a road test against No. 1 Ohio State inside Ohio Stadium. Head coach Mike Uremovich, quarterback Keldric Luster and defensive back DJ Fields met with the media Monday morning ahead of Saturday's season opener.
Despite facing the nation's top-ranked team, Uremovich said the Cardinals are approaching the matchup with the same preparation and mindset as any other game.
"We approach every game the exact same," Uremovich said. "Our guys get 12 opportunities to play, and from the moment we finish our last game, or in this case, we finish training camp, it's everything we possibly have to do to prepare to win this football game."
Uremovich also expressed his excitement to start the campaign and identified the increased depth on this year's roster being one of the team's biggest strengths.
"We're a deeper football team," Uremovich stated. "We are deep at receiver, and we do have a lot of tailbacks we like. We're way deeper in the secondary than we were last year, so that provides you an opportunity to not have to change too much if you have one or two guys who get hurt."
Saturday marks Luster's first collegiate start at quarterback. The fourth-year signal caller discussed the offense's growing confidence throughout fall camp as the Cardinals prepare to face an Ohio State defense loaded with talent.
"I feel like we are all really tight, honestly," Luster said. "As more things get brought into the game plan, and the more we practice it, the more the confidence level goes up."
On the defensive side, Fields said Ball State's preparation during fall camp has given the unit confidence heading into its first game. The Cardinals will face an Ohio State offense featuring several highly regarded playmakers.
"Fall camp was amazing," Fields said. "We had a lot of ups. We had a couple of downs, but during the downs, you see light, and we were able to have more ups. The defense is looking amazing. We're going to be solid."
Fields said the Cardinals have spent considerable time studying Ohio State's personnel and believe executing at their own level can give Ball State an opportunity to compete.
"We're not intimidated at all," Fields said. "Everybody knows [Ohio State] is a big-name school, but at the end of the day, if we go in an execute at our level, we will be in the game and have a shot."
Ball State opens the 2026 season at Ohio State on Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. ET. Broadcast is available on the Big Ten Network and Gainbridge Radio Network.
Despite facing the nation's top-ranked team, Uremovich said the Cardinals are approaching the matchup with the same preparation and mindset as any other game.
"We approach every game the exact same," Uremovich said. "Our guys get 12 opportunities to play, and from the moment we finish our last game, or in this case, we finish training camp, it's everything we possibly have to do to prepare to win this football game."
Uremovich also expressed his excitement to start the campaign and identified the increased depth on this year's roster being one of the team's biggest strengths.
"We're a deeper football team," Uremovich stated. "We are deep at receiver, and we do have a lot of tailbacks we like. We're way deeper in the secondary than we were last year, so that provides you an opportunity to not have to change too much if you have one or two guys who get hurt."
Saturday marks Luster's first collegiate start at quarterback. The fourth-year signal caller discussed the offense's growing confidence throughout fall camp as the Cardinals prepare to face an Ohio State defense loaded with talent.
"I feel like we are all really tight, honestly," Luster said. "As more things get brought into the game plan, and the more we practice it, the more the confidence level goes up."
On the defensive side, Fields said Ball State's preparation during fall camp has given the unit confidence heading into its first game. The Cardinals will face an Ohio State offense featuring several highly regarded playmakers.
"Fall camp was amazing," Fields said. "We had a lot of ups. We had a couple of downs, but during the downs, you see light, and we were able to have more ups. The defense is looking amazing. We're going to be solid."
Fields said the Cardinals have spent considerable time studying Ohio State's personnel and believe executing at their own level can give Ball State an opportunity to compete.
"We're not intimidated at all," Fields said. "Everybody knows [Ohio State] is a big-name school, but at the end of the day, if we go in an execute at our level, we will be in the game and have a shot."
Ball State opens the 2026 season at Ohio State on Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. ET. Broadcast is available on the Big Ten Network and Gainbridge Radio Network.
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