American college football season
The 2021 Ball State Cardinals football team represented Ball State University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cardinals were led by sixth-year head coach Mike Neu and played their home games at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana. They competed as members of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference.
Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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| 7:00 p.m. | Western Illinois* | | ESPN+ | W 31–21 | 13,149 |
September 11 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 11 Penn State* | | FS1 | L 13–44 | 105,323 |
September 18 | 4:00 p.m. | at Wyoming* | | Stadium | L 12–45 | 23,467 |
September 25 | 2:00 p.m. | Toledo | - Scheumann Stadium
- Muncie, IN
| ESPN+ | L 12–22 | 14,902 |
October 2 | 5:00 p.m. | Army* | - Scheumann Stadium
- Muncie, IN
| ESPN+ | W 28–16 | 13,713 |
October 9 | 3:30 p.m. | at Western Michigan | | ESPNU | W 45–20 | 11,403 |
October 16 | 2:00 p.m. | at Eastern Michigan | | ESPN+ | W 38–31 | 15,258 |
October 23 | 3:30 p.m. | Miami (OH)![dagger](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Dagger-14-plain.png) | - Scheumann Stadium
- Muncie, IN (Red Bird Rivalry)
| ESPN+ | L 17–24 | 15,703 |
| 7:00 p.m. | at Akron | | CBSSN | W 31–25 | 7,683 |
| 7:00 p.m. | at Northern Illinois | | ESPN2 | L 29–30 | 7,894 |
| 7:00 p.m. | Central Michigan | - Scheumann Stadium
- Muncie, IN
| ESPNU | L 17–37 | 5,602 |
| 7:00 p.m. | Buffalo | - Scheumann Stadium
- Muncie, IN
| ESPN+ | W 20–3 | 6,112 |
December 25 | 2:30 p.m. | vs. Georgia State* | | ESPN | L 20–51 | 7,345 |
- *Non-conference game
Homecoming- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Eastern time
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[1]
Ranking movements
Legend: RV = Received votes | Week |
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
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AP | RV | RV | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Coaches | RV | RV | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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CFP | Not released | | | | | | | Not released |
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Western Illinois at Ball State | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Western Illinois | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 | • Ball State | 7 | 0 | 14 | 10 | 31 | |
Pregame line | Over/under |
BSU –31.0 | 58.5 |
Statistics | Western Illinois | Ball State |
First downs | 17 | 18 |
Total yards | 437 | 404 |
Rushing yards | 70 | 216 |
Passing yards | 367 | 188 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Time of possession | 31:02 | 28:58 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Western Illinois | Passing | Connor Sampson | 30/43, 367 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
Rushing | Myles Wanza | 8 carries, 37 yards |
Receiving | Dennis Houston | 12 receptions, 237 yards, 2 TDs |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 17/28, 188 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Will Jones | 18 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Justin Hall | 8 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TDs |
At No. 11 Penn State
[edit] Ball State at No. 11 Penn State | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Ball State | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 13 | • No. 11 Penn State | 14 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 44 | |
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 10:01 | PSU | Noah Cain 5-yard run (Jordan Stout kick) | PSU 7–0 | 5:53 | PSU | Sean Clifford 1-yard run (Jordan Stout kick) | PSU 14–0 | | 2 | 14:25 | BSU | Jake Chanove 24-yard field goal | PSU 14–3 | 11:22 | PSU | Jordan Stout 45-yard field goal | PSU 17–3 | 2:50 | PSU | Jahan Dotson 25-yard pass from Sean Clifford (Jordan Stout kick) | PSU 24–3 | 0:00 | BSU | Jake Chanove 23-yard field goal | PSU 24–6 | | 3 | 5:56 | PSU | Jesse Luketa 16-yard interception (Jordan Stout kick) | PSU 31–6 | 1:53 | PSU | Jordan Stout 26-yard field goal | PSU 34–6 | | 4 | 9:59 | PSU | Jordan Stout 22-yard field goal | PSU 37–6 | 6:58 | BSU | Carson Steele 6-yard run (Jake Chanove kick) | PSU 37–13 | 2:10 | PSU | Theo Johnson 23-yard pass from Ta'Quan Roberson (Jordan Stout kick) | PSU 44–13 | |
Pregame line | Over/under |
PSU –22.5 | 58.0 |
Statistics | Ball State | Penn State |
First downs | 20 | 32 |
Total yards | 295 | 493 |
Rushing yards | 69 | 240 |
Passing yards | 226 | 253 |
Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
Time of possession | 25:51 | 34:09 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 25/39, 176 yards, 2 INTs |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 7 carries, 18 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 4 receptions, 42 yards |
Penn State | Passing | Sean Clifford | 21/29, 230 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Noah Cain | 20 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Jahan Dotson | 5 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD |
Ball State at Wyoming | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Ball State | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 12 | • Wyoming | 10 | 21 | 0 | 14 | 45 | |
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 7:42 | WYO | John Hoyland 24-yard field goal (7 plays, 53 yards, 2:45) | WYO 3–0 | 5:46 | WYO | Keyon Blankenbaker 52-yard interception (John Hoyland kick) (5 plays, 23 yards, 1:56) | WYO 10–0 | | 2 | 14:55 | WYO | Treyton Welch 1-yard reception from Sean Chambers (John Hoyland kick) (8 plays, 80 yards, 3:14) | WYO 17–0 | 3:51 | WYO | Dawaiian McNeely 16-yard run (John Hoyland kick) (6 plays, 68 yards, 2:48) | WYO 24–0 | 0:17 | WYO | Sean Chambers 1-yard run (John Hoyland kick) (5 plays, 31 yards, 0:25) | WYO 31–0 | | 3 | 1:59 | BALL | Will Jones 1-yard run (kick no good) (15 plays, 87 yards, 5:34) | WYO 31–6 | | 4 | 11:04 | WYO | Xazavian Valladay 1-yard run (John Hoyland kick) (11 plays, 75 yards, 5:55) | WYO 38–6 | 8:21 | BALL | Carson Steele 19-yard run (2-point pass incomplete) (8 plays, 75 yards, 2:43) | WYO 38–12 | 6:35 | WYO | Chad Muma 40-yard interception (John Hoyland kick) (1 play, 0 yards, 0:09) | WYO 45–12 | |
Pregame line | Over/under |
WYO –6.5 | 53.0 |
Statistics | Ball State | Wyoming |
First downs | 19 | 19 |
Total yards | 260 | 378 |
Rushing yards | 118 | 177 |
Passing yards | 142 | 201 |
Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
Time of possession | 30:11 | 29:49 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Ball State | Passing | John Paddock | 13/20, 82 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 13 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 10 receptions, 92 yards |
Wyoming | Passing | Sean Chambers | 14/23, 201 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Xazavian Valladay | 14 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Isaiah Neyor | 4 receptions, 84 yards |
Toledo at Ball State | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • Toledo | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 22 | Ball State | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | - Date: September 25, 2021
- Location: Scheumann Stadium
Muncie, IN - Game start: 2:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 14,902
- Television network: ESPN+
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Pregame line | Over/under |
TOL –4.5 | 56.5 |
Statistics | Toledo | Ball State |
First downs | 19 | 17 |
Total yards | 444 | 312 |
Rushing yards | 272 | 122 |
Passing yards | 172 | 190 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Time of possession | 33:03 | 26:57 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Toledo | Passing | Carter Bradley | 10/18, 144 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Dequan Finn | 12 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Devin Maddox | 2 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 21/35, 190 yards |
Rushing | Justin Hall | 5 carries, 64 yards |
Receiving | Justin Hall | 7 receptions, 97 yards |
Army at Ball State | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Army | 0 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 16 | • Ball State | 21 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 28 | - Date: October 2, 2021
- Location: Scheumann Stadium
Muncie, IN - Game start: 5:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 13,713
- Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 68 °F (20 °C) • Wind: S 9 MPH
- Referee: Ron Hudson
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Jim Barbar (play-by-play) & Tyoka Jackson (analyst)
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 14:48 | BALL | Justin Hall 99-yard kickoff return (Jake Chanove kick) (0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00) | BALL 7–0 | 10:26 | BALL | Jayshon Jackson 45-yard pass from Drew Plitt (Jake Chanove kick) (1 play, 45 yards, 0:08) | BALL 14–0 | 4:48 | BALL | Carson Steele 2-yard rush (Jake Chanove kick) (10 plays, 57 yards, 3:30) | BALL 21–0 | | 2 | 13:14 | ARMY | Tyhier Tyler 4-yard rush (Cole Talley kick) (12 plays, 75 yards, 6:34) | BALL 21–7 | 1:37 | ARMY | Tyhier Tyler 2-yard rush (Cole Talley kick) (14 plays, 80 yards, 8:19) | BALL 21–14 | | 4 | 8:00 | BALL | Yo'Heinz Tyler 18-yard pass from Drew Plitt (Jake Chanove kick) (3 plays, 45 yards, 0:49) | BALL 28–14 | 2:09 | ARMY | TEAM 6-yard safety (0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00) | BALL 28–16 | |
Pregame line | Over/under |
ARMY –10.0 | 47.0 |
Statistics | Army | Ball State |
First downs | 18 | 12 |
Total yards | 279 | 269 |
Rushing yards | 213 | 36 |
Passing yards | 66 | 233 |
Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
Time of possession | 33:03 | 26:57 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Army | Passing | Jemel Jones | 5/11, 66 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | Tyhier Tyler | 24 carries, 63 yards, 2 TDs |
Receiving | Isaiah Alston | 2 receptions, 36 yards |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 17/28, 233 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 8 carries, 17 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Yo'Heinz Tyler | 5 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD |
At Western Michigan
[edit] Ball State at Western Michigan | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • Ball State | 7 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 45 | Western Michigan | 14 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 20 | |
Pregame line | Over/under |
WMU –12.5 | 57.5 |
Statistics | Ball State | Western Michigan |
First downs | 18 | 23 |
Total yards | 361 | 376 |
Rushing yards | 51 | 119 |
Passing yards | 310 | 257 |
Turnovers | 0 | 4 |
Time of possession | 23:37 | 36:23 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 15/25, 310 yards, 4 TDs |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 10 carries, 41 yards |
Receiving | Yo'Heinz Tyler | 5 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TDs |
Western Michigan | Passing | Kaleb Eleby | 19/33, 257 yards, 2 INTs |
Rushing | La'Darius Jefferson | 21 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Skyy Moore | 7 receptions, 81 yards |
At Eastern Michigan
[edit] Ball State at Eastern Michigan | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • Ball State | 14 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 38 | Eastern Michigan | 0 | 14 | 3 | 14 | 31 | |
Pregame line | Over/under |
BALL –1.0 | 55.5 |
Statistics | Ball State | Eastern Michigan |
First downs | 29 | 27 |
Total yards | 433 | 385 |
Rushing yards | 200 | 46 |
Passing yards | 233 | 339 |
Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Time of possession | 32:43 | 27:17 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 27/35, 207 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 18 carries, 138 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Justin Hall | 10 receptions, 58 yards |
Eastern Michigan | Passing | Ben Bryant | 35/48, 331 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
Rushing | Jawon Hamilton | 8 carries, 40 yards |
Receiving | Dylan Drummond | 7 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD |
Red Bird Rivalry | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • Miami (OH) | 10 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 24 | Ball State | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 | - Date: October 23, 2021
- Location: Scheumann Stadium
Muncie, IN - Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 15, 703
- Television network: ESPN+
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Pregame line | Over/under |
BALL –3.5 | 53.0 |
Statistics | Miami | Ball State |
First downs | 18 | 20 |
Total yards | 360 | 327 |
Rushing yards | 126 | 100 |
Passing yards | 234 | 227 |
Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Time of possession | 34:32 | 25:28 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Miami | Passing | Brett Gabbert | 20/24, 207 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Tyre Shelton | 14 carries, 46 yards |
Receiving | Jack Sorenson | 8 receptions, 138 yards |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 22/34, 227 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 11 carries, 49 yards |
Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 9 receptions, 121 yards, 1 TD |
Ball State at Akron | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • Ball State | 7 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 31 | Akron | 3 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 25 | |
Pregame line | Over/under |
BALL –20.0 | 58.0 |
Statistics | Ball State | Akron |
First downs | 25 | 20 |
Total yards | 425 | 458 |
Rushing yards | 240 | 127 |
Passing yards | 185 | 331 |
Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
Time of possession | 29:54 | 30:06 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 18/31, 185 yards, 3 TDs |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 27 carries, 154 yards |
Receiving | Justin Hall | 8 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD |
Akron | Passing | Zach Gibson | 24/31, 331 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Jonzell Norrils | 17 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Michael Mathison | 8 receptions, 154 yards, 1 TD |
At Northern Illinois (Bronze Stalk Trophy)
[edit] Bronze Stalk Trophy | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Ball State | 10 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 29 | • Northern Illinois | 0 | 17 | 3 | 10 | 30 | |
Pregame line | Over/under |
BALL –3.0 | 59.0 |
Statistics | Ball State | Northern Illinois |
First downs | 17 | 26 |
Total yards | 372 | 475 |
Rushing yards | 246 | 211 |
Passing yards | 126 | 264 |
Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Time of possession | 23:16 | 36:44 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 11/26, 126 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 21 carries, 109 yards |
Receiving | Jalen McGaughy | 1 reception, 45 yards |
Northern Illinois | Passing | Rocky Lombardi | 23/38, 264 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Jay Ducker | 24 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Trayvon Rudolph | 8 receptions, 108 yards |
Central Michigan at Ball State | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • Central Michigan | 7 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 37 | Ball State | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 | - Date: November 17, 2021
- Location: Scheumann Stadium
Muncie, IN - Game start: 7:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 5,602
- Television network: ESPNU
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Pregame line | Over/under |
CMU –2.5 | 57.0 |
Statistics | Central Michigan | Ball State |
First downs | 26 | 18 |
Total yards | 567 | 329 |
Rushing yards | 285 | 159 |
Passing yards | 282 | 170 |
Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Time of possession | 32:47 | 27:13 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Central Michigan | Passing | Daniel Richardson | 20/25, 283 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs |
Rushing | Lew Nichols III | 32 carries, 219 yards, 3 TDs |
Receiving | Kalil Pimpleton | 7 receptions, 144 yards, 1 TD |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 21/39, 170 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 20 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 6 receptions, 61 yards |
Buffalo at Ball State | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Buffalo | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | • Ball State | 14 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 20 | - Date: November 23, 2021
- Location: Scheumann Stadium
Muncie, IN - Game start: 7:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 6,112
- Television network: ESPN+
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Pregame line | Over/under |
BALL –6.0 | 59.5 |
Statistics | Buffalo | Ball State |
First downs | 22 | 13 |
Total yards | 336 | 230 |
Rushing yards | 148 | 54 |
Passing yards | 188 | 176 |
Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
Time of possession | 29:40 | 30:20 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Buffalo | Passing | Matt Myers | 18/39, 188 yards, 4 INTs |
Rushing | Matt Myers | 16 carries, 78 yards |
Receiving | Ron Cook Jr. | 4 receptions, 56 yards |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 19/31, 176 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 25 carries, 45 yards |
Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 9 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD |
Vs. Georgia State (Camellia Bowl)
[edit] Camellia Bowl | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • Georgia State | 14 | 6 | 28 | 3 | 51 | Ball State | 7 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 20 | - Date: December 25, 2021
- Location: Cramton Bowl
Montgomery, AL - Game start: 2:30 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 7,345
- Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C) • Weather: Partly cloudy • Wind: SW 13 MPH
- Referee: Kevin Vicknair
- TV announcers (ESPN): Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Hutson Mason (analyst), and Abby Labar (sideline)
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 8:59 | BALL | Jayshon Jackson 56-yard reception from Drew Plitt (Jake Chanove kick) (2 plays, 61 yards, 0:38) | BALL 7–0 | 4:55 | GSU | Aubry Payne 18-yard reception from Darren Grainger (Noel Ruiz kick) (10 plays, 75 yards, 4:04) | TIED 7–7 | 2:02 | GSU | Javon Denis 37-yard fumble recovery (Noel Ruiz kick) | GSU 14–7 | | 2 | 14:11 | GSU | Noel Ruiz 27-yard field goal (7 plays, 24 yards, 1:48) | GSU 17–7 | 9:20 | BALL | Jacob Lewis 34-yard field goal (7 plays, 30 yards, 2:06) | GSU 17–10 | 6:01 | GSU | Noel Ruiz 28-yard field goal (8 plays, 65 yards, 3:19) | GSU 20–10 | 0:18 | BALL | Jacob Lewis 43-yard field goal (13 plays, 53 yards, 5:43) | GSU 20–13 | | 3 | 12:05 | GSU | Robert Lewis 10-yard reception from Darren Grainger (Noel Ruiz kick) (8 plays, 75 yards, 2:55) | GSU 27–13 | 7:08 | GSU | Darren Grainger 34-yard run (Noel Ruiz kick) (7 plays, 68 yards, 3:29) | GSU 34–13 | 1:33 | GSU | Aubry Payne 16-yard reception from Darren Grainger (Noel Ruiz kick) (5 plays, 71 yards, 1:37) | GSU 41–13 | 0:00 | GSU | Antavious Lane 55-yard interception (Noel Ruiz kick) | GSU 48–13 | | 4 | 9:03 | GSU | Noel Ruiz 45-yard field goal (8 plays, 38 yards, 3:27) | GSU 51–13 | 3:13 | BALL | Drew Plitt 1-yard run (Jake Chanove kick) (15 plays, 75 yards, 5:50) | GSU 51–20 | |
Pregame line | Over/under |
GAST –4.5 | 50.0 |
Statistics | Georgia State | Ball State |
First downs | 21 | 22 |
Total yards | 464 | 367 |
Rushing yards | 259 | 74 |
Passing yards | 205 | 293 |
Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Time of possession | 26:46 | 33:14 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 15/19, 203 yards, 3 TDs |
Rushing | Darren Grainger | 11 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Aubry Payne | 8 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TDs |
Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 27/46, 293 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Carson Steele | 15 carries, 62 yards |
Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 12 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD |
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