by MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State football opened the 2025 homestand with the home opener against New Hampshire Saturday afternoon.
After four quarters of play, it was the Cardinals with a 34-29 victory over the Wildcats.
Here are four notes from the contest.
An offensive shootout in the first half
The Cardinals struggled to open the first two games of the season with much poise, and that seemed to be the case against the Wildcats. Ball State opened the game with three-straight pass plays, with two falling incomplete, and the other saw redshirt senior QB1 Kiael Kelly scramble for a short gain.
When attempting to punt, the kick was blocked and returned for a touchdown just one minute and seven seconds into the game.
Following the score, the Cardinals used the run game mixed with some pass plays on their second possession. This led to a six-play, 69-yard drive and a 40-yard rushing touchdown from Kelly. Both the drive and scoring play were season longs for the black and red.
However, the Wildcats were not phased by this. The White and Silver followed with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a wide-open pass, which was taken for a touchdown.
To end the first half, the Cardinals had four drives that ended in touchdowns while the Wildcats had two scoring drives and two more drives that ended in missed field goals (25 and 52-yard kicks). Ball State went into the break up 28-21.
The Qua Ashley show
Ball State’s offense kicked into action as its redshirt junior running back used his legs to make big momentum plays. In the first half alone, Ashley recorded 134 rushing yards and scored twice in just five carries.
Before this game, the longest run of his career was 60 yards. First, Ashley took a 43-yard run to the house to give Ball State its second touchdown of the day. Following a great defensive stand from the Cardinals, Ashley capped off a two-play Ball State drive with a 70-yard touchdown. This was his new career long.
In the second half, Ashley kept the train rolling as he scored in the third quarter with a touchdown on a 27-yard pass from Kelly at the 9:56 mark. This put the Red and Black up 34-21.
Ashley finished the game with 154 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He also had 33 receiving yards and one touchdown catch. His rushing yards total was the most from a Cardinal since 2023, and the team’s total (308) was the most since 2019.
Kelly was also the third Ball State football player since 2000 to have 100 yards passing and 100 yards rushing — Kelly had 105 and 102 — since 1997.
Blunders for Ball State’s special teams unit
Besides the blocked punt that the Wildcats scored on, the Cardinals had multiple issues on special teams throughout the day.
After the Cardinals’ defense forced New Hampshire to punt in the second quarter, redshirt junior wide receiver Eric Weatherly fumbled the catch. This was recovered by the Silver and White, but once again, the defense bailed them out by forcing a field goal attempt that was no good.
The Cardinals also had two penalties during special teams’ plays throughout the game. One included a kick-catch penalty in the fourth quarter. Though Ball State took the victory, the poor play from the group allowed the Wildcats multiple opportunities to get back in the ball game.
Ball State’s defense saw more improvement
While the Cardinals’ defense started the year with some struggles, this game was highlighted by positive defensive play. One of the biggest areas that looked better than the first two games was Ball State’s secondary. The unit had seven pass breakups and looked more in tune with coverage.
But it wasn’t just the secondary who showed poise against the Wildcats. Ball State’s defensive line came alive as they recorded nine tackles for loss and four sacks.
The Cardinals finished the game with 42 solo tackles and 76 total tackles.
Ball State will return to action Saturday, Sept. 20 at 3:30 as they face UConn on the road.
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu, zachcarter039@gmail.com or via X @ZachCarter85.
