Ball State University Athletics
Saturday, September 26
Kent, OH
12:00 p.m.
Ball State University
at
Kent State
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Cardinals Carry Strong Series History Into MAC Opener at Kent State
September 22, 2026 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State football opens Mid-American Conference play Sept. 26 on the road against Kent State, looking to continue its historical success against the Golden Flashes.
The Cardinals have controlled the all-time series, winning 25 of 33 meetings. Ball State's .758 winning percentage against Kent State is its highest against any MAC opponent.
Recent meetings between the two programs have been much closer. Six of the last eight games between the teams have been decided by seven points or fewer, including Ball State's 17-13 home victory last season.
In 1996, Ball State achieved the largest margin of victory in the series, topping Kent State 50-6 inside Scheumann Stadium. That meeting saw the Cardinals record the fifth-most rushing yards per carry in a single game in program history (7.9 yards), with leading carrier LeAndre Moore posting 148 yards on seven attempts (21.14 yards per carry) – the most rushing yards per carry (minimum five carries) in program history. In fact, Ball State ball carriers have eclipsed 100 rushing yards 20 times in 33 games.
Ball State has won six of the last seven meetings in the series and has also found success when traveling to Kent, Ohio, winning 11 of 16 matchups at Dix Stadium.
Kent State has won consecutive games against Ball State just twice in the history of the series. The Cardinals' most dominant stretch came from 1986 to 2008, when they won 14 of 15 meetings, including a series-best 11 consecutive victories. The Cardinals shut out the Golden Flashes on two occasions during that span, winning by margins of 31 (Oct. 13, 1990) and 34 (Nov. 19, 1994).
Several of Ball State's notable recent defensive performances have also come against the Golden Flashes.
The Cardinals held Kent State to 89 rushing yards Nov. 5, 2025, the most recent time Ball State limited an opponent to fewer than 100 yards on the ground. Ball State's last seven-sack performance -- second in program history -- came against Kent State on Oct. 12, 2024. The 37-35 in 2024 also stands as Ball State's most recent victory on the road.
During the 2023 season, the Cardinals held the Golden Flashes to 97 total yards, marking the last time Ball State held an opponent below 100 yards of total offense. That game also featured production throughout the Cardinals' backfield, with three different Ball State players scoring rushing touchdowns.
The series has been noted for big and wild combined statistics:
-- The most combined yards of total offense in Ball State history were recorded in 2019 at Dix Stadium: 538 by Ball State, 635 by Kent State, 1,173 combined.
-- A year earlier, the teams combined for the most combined penalties in Cardinals history: 11 by Ball State, 17 by Kent State, 18 total.
-- In 1982, Ball State's 10 fumbles (four lost) were the most in Ball State annals.
-- In 1988 at Kent State, Ball State controlled the ball for a program record 41 minutes, 46 seconds.
Ball State begins its conference slate at Kent State on Sept. 26 at noon ET, with broadcast available on ESPN+ and WLBC 104.1 FM.
The Cardinals have controlled the all-time series, winning 25 of 33 meetings. Ball State's .758 winning percentage against Kent State is its highest against any MAC opponent.
Recent meetings between the two programs have been much closer. Six of the last eight games between the teams have been decided by seven points or fewer, including Ball State's 17-13 home victory last season.
In 1996, Ball State achieved the largest margin of victory in the series, topping Kent State 50-6 inside Scheumann Stadium. That meeting saw the Cardinals record the fifth-most rushing yards per carry in a single game in program history (7.9 yards), with leading carrier LeAndre Moore posting 148 yards on seven attempts (21.14 yards per carry) – the most rushing yards per carry (minimum five carries) in program history. In fact, Ball State ball carriers have eclipsed 100 rushing yards 20 times in 33 games.
Ball State has won six of the last seven meetings in the series and has also found success when traveling to Kent, Ohio, winning 11 of 16 matchups at Dix Stadium.
Kent State has won consecutive games against Ball State just twice in the history of the series. The Cardinals' most dominant stretch came from 1986 to 2008, when they won 14 of 15 meetings, including a series-best 11 consecutive victories. The Cardinals shut out the Golden Flashes on two occasions during that span, winning by margins of 31 (Oct. 13, 1990) and 34 (Nov. 19, 1994).
Several of Ball State's notable recent defensive performances have also come against the Golden Flashes.
The Cardinals held Kent State to 89 rushing yards Nov. 5, 2025, the most recent time Ball State limited an opponent to fewer than 100 yards on the ground. Ball State's last seven-sack performance -- second in program history -- came against Kent State on Oct. 12, 2024. The 37-35 in 2024 also stands as Ball State's most recent victory on the road.
During the 2023 season, the Cardinals held the Golden Flashes to 97 total yards, marking the last time Ball State held an opponent below 100 yards of total offense. That game also featured production throughout the Cardinals' backfield, with three different Ball State players scoring rushing touchdowns.
The series has been noted for big and wild combined statistics:
-- The most combined yards of total offense in Ball State history were recorded in 2019 at Dix Stadium: 538 by Ball State, 635 by Kent State, 1,173 combined.
-- A year earlier, the teams combined for the most combined penalties in Cardinals history: 11 by Ball State, 17 by Kent State, 18 total.
-- In 1982, Ball State's 10 fumbles (four lost) were the most in Ball State annals.
-- In 1988 at Kent State, Ball State controlled the ball for a program record 41 minutes, 46 seconds.
Ball State begins its conference slate at Kent State on Sept. 26 at noon ET, with broadcast available on ESPN+ and WLBC 104.1 FM.
Tuesday, September 22
Sunday, September 20
Thursday, September 17
Wednesday, September 16