by MUNCIE, Ind — The 2025-26 Ball State football season is almost underway as the Cardinals made their return to Scheumann Stadium today for the program’s media day.
“Today is obviously the first opportunity [we get] to start playing football,” first-year Ball State head coach Mike Uremovich said.
Uremovich spent the last three seasons at Butler University, guiding the Bulldogs to a 23-11 record. When asked about the new head coach and other new additions to the coaching staff, players said their energy and attitudes have had an early impact.
“I think [Uremovich’s] honesty and his will to win. That is the main thing,” redshirt junior defensive back Roman Pearson said. “He doesn’t sugarcoat or lie about anything. That’s what you can respect about Coach U.”
Throughout the event, one word was frequently mentioned by multiple groups of players: physicality. To the Cardinals, it’s something to live or die by.
“It’s something we preach. We do an inside run and perimeter drill every single day, “redshirt senior linebacker Jackson Wiegold said. “I think you’ll see that [physicality] in our play this year with the ability to stop plays … We’ve tried to develop our new identity around it on offense and defense.”
The Cardinals come into the new year after finishing the previous season 3-9. For both the offensive and defensive units alike, the goal of becoming a cohesive team has already begun to take place.
“That’s always a process of figuring out who guys are as a person and as a player,” redshirt senior receiver Qian Magwood said. “It’s just all coming together.”
Redshirt senior quarterback Kiael Kelly — who was officially named QB1 last week at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Football Media Day — said he’s excited to return to the quarterback position. Though he played the position as a redshirt freshman and redshirt sophomore, he bounced around last season.
He only threw four total passes and was utilized for his running ability, completing 35 carries for 91 yards. He also took snaps as a running back and wide receiver.
“It definitely helps with confidence,” Kelly said on being named the starter. “I also know that I have to improve because that could be gone tomorrow … I’m just excited.”
Though the Cardinals begin training camp Wednesday, July 30, there are already some players that the Ball State coaching staff has hit on as names to keep an eye on. However, more of those questions will be answered when the Cardinals hit the field in the next few days.
Ball State will begin the season and the Uremovich era Saturday, Aug. 30, when the Cardinals travel to West Lafayette to face Purdue University. Kickoff is set for noon.
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu, zachcarter039@gmail.com or via X @ZachCarter85.
