Cardinals Fall to Liberty on the Road

Saturday, September 19

Lynchburg, VA

4 p.m.

Ball State University

1-2 , 0-0

Liberty

2-1 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Ball St.	7	0	8	0	15
Liberty	13	10	14	14	51

Ball State Football at Liberty - Sept. 19, 2026

Photo by: Keith Lucas / Sideline Media Productions

September 19, 2026 | Football

Box Score

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Ball State football team walked into Williams Stadium late Saturday afternoon, and walked out on the short end of a 51-15 score to Conference USA foe Liberty, 51-15.

The Cardinals (1-2, 0-0 MAC) were shackled by momentum-halting penalties on both sides of the ball, including 29-yard and 15-yard rushes that were sent back after offensive penalties and an out-of-bounds defensive miscue that set the Flames (2-1, 0-0 CUSA) at the doorstep for a late first-half touchdown. Ball State finished with 11 penalties for a total of 108 yards.

Ball State had just one turnover throughout the game – an interception at the mid-point of the fourth quarter which opened the opportunity for Liberty to score the final touchdown of the evening.

Running back TJ Horton recorded the Cardinals' two touchdowns, scoring two rushing touchdowns for the first time in his collegiate career. His initial score in the opening quarter consisted of a two-yard burst that capped 75-yard drive, Ball State's longest of the season. The drive was aided by another 25-yard run by Horton, his third of 25 yards or more in the past two games.

After Horton's second run into the end zone, during the third quarter, signal caller Keldric Luster crossed the goal line to complete a two-point conversion. Horton and Luster made up the most of Ball State's rushing attempts, with Horton totaling 79 yards on eight attempts while Luster carried the ball 10 times for 30 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, Stu Smith led the Cardinals with nine tackles, including six solo. He also recorded one tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Cincear Lewis followed with seven tackles, while Gavin Forsha and Will Yates totaled five. Forsha was also credited with his first sack since 2022. Ameir Glenn picked up a fumble recovery late in the third quarter.

On a more somber note, during the opening kick to start the second half, defensive back Gabe Aramboles was carried off the field, and taken to Lynchburg General Hospital for further evaluation.

Ball State opens conference play to conclude its two-game road swing, traveling to Kent, Ohio, to battle the Golden Flashes on Sept. 26. Game time next week is 12:00 p.m.