by OXFORD, Ohio — The 2025 Ball State football season concluded Saturday afternoon as the Cardinals and Miami Redhawks met at Yager Stadium for the eighth official installment of the Red Bird Rivalry.
While the Cardinals aimed to end the season on a high note and avoid a winless streak on the road, the Redhawks looked to earn a chance to play for a Mid-American Conference (MAC) title.
The final game of the regular season favored the home team as Miami defeated Ball State 45-24. This officially clinched a spot in the MAC Championship game for the Redhawks.
Here are three notes from the game.
Miami’s offense excelled in the first half
On the game’s opening drive, Miami went three-and-out. But the Redhawks’ first possession was not a fair representation of what was to come.
Miami finished the opening half of play with a 45-17 lead. The Redhawks (7-5, 6-2 MAC) recorded 298 yards of offense in the half while the Cardinals (4-8, 3-5 MAC) struggled to find any type of momentum with the football.
The only big plays Ball State saw were a 56-yard rush by senior QB1 Kiael Kelly, which set up a three-yard touchdown rush from freshman running back Jalen Bonds. The last score the Cardinals saw was a 43-yard field goal from redshirt senior DC Pippin, which followed a 44-yard pass play from Kelly.
But besides that, it was all Miami as they scored four touchdowns in the first 30 minutes. Redshirt freshman QB1 Thomas Gotkowski was just one of the bright spots for the Redhawks, as he went 10-for-22 through the first two quarters. He walked into the locker room after throwing for 181 yards and three touchdown passes.
Redshirt senior running back Jordan Brunson led Miami with 55 rushing yards and provided another score — a 12-yard touchdown run — to add to the Redhawks’ total.
Ball State’s defense was silent
Though the Redhawks’ offense found a rhythm early, Ball State’s defense never did. Besides that first three-and-out, the unit never put things together to make an impact.
After allowing 181 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the air in the opening half, the second half was not much different. Miami finished the game with 458 total yards of offense. Ball State failed to get an interception in the loss, ending a six-game streak.
One sign of life for the unit was senior defensive end Nathan Voorhis. He finished the game with a sack, which was his 12th time taking down an opposing quarterback this season. That number was one away from tying the program record, and it was the most in a season since 1982.
The Miami defense also had success in the sack category as the Redhawks took down Kelly six times.
In Ball State’s final three games, the Cardinals surrendered 107 points to opposing teams.
The end for notable Cardinals
The loss marked the final contest for multiple Ball State players, with some who played in Muncie for five years.
Kelly was one of those players as he finished his final game going 14-for-23 for 177 passing yards with two touchdown passes. On the ground, he had 47 yards and one score. He ended his collegiate career with the second-most rushing yards for the position in the program’s history.
Redshirt senior wide receiver Qian Magwood ended his final appearance with three catches for 18 yards, while Voorhis had the one sack and three tackles. Senior linebacker Joey Stemler wrapped up his time with the Cardinals with six tackles.
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu, zachcarter039@gmail.com or via X @ZachCarter85.
