by OXFORD, Ohio — Kiael Kelly’s college football career is over.
Following Ball State football’s loss to Miami Saturday afternoon, the Cardinals’ redshirt senior QB1 stood in a hallway outside of the away locker room at Yager Stadium. Talking to local media, he used one word to describe his journey: persistence.
“I just had to stay true to what I knew,” he said. “I did whatever was asked of me and did it to the best of my ability.”
Throughout his five-year career, he entered the transfer portal twice due to a coaching change and other factors. Yet, he never left Muncie and continued to represent the school that offered him an opportunity.
“[Staying all four years] was one of my goals,” Kelly said. “Being able to finish it out, and, as I see it, I made it past a tough time in my life. To be able to walk out of this locker room with my head up and on both of my feet and healthy, I think God for that.”
Ball State head coach Mike Uremovich said Kelly and the other graduating players did everything they were asked to.
“The guys that just got here and the guys who have been here for four years bought into everything we were doing, and it made it a much easier transition,” Uremovich said. “Though you’re new and changing stuff, there was no push back from those guys.”
Though the Cardinals (4-8, 3-5 MAC) were looking to end their year on a high note, they fell in this year’s edition of the Red Bird Rivalry 45-24. They were outgained in yards (405-145), outscored in touchdowns (6-3) and gave up more sacks (1-6). The loss also marked a winless road record.
Uremovich said they just didn’t play well enough.
“There were a lot of things that we could have changed,” he said. “There were a lot of things we could have done better today … I’m just thinking about the game and the seniors right now. We have a lot of time to look at the season, what we didn’t do and what we can improve upon.”
Though the Cardinals tied the game in the early minutes, 7-7, they only scored on a field goal before scoring two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter. On the other hand, the Redhawks’ (7-5, 6-2 MAC) offense could not be stopped.
With the win, Miami clinched a spot in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship game. For the Cardinals, their 2025 season is officially over.
“It’s been a ride,” redshirt senior wide receiver Qian Magwood said. “I don’t really know, man. There’s been ups, and there’s been downs. I’m grateful for it all, and I’m truly scrambling that the clock just hit zero for the final time.”
Magwood was Ball State’s longest tenured player on the roster. He said he’s grateful for his time in Muncie.
“Sometimes, we forget why we play this game,” he said. “What I did out there, I dreamed about years ago. I could be complacent about it that we didn’t win my last game, but I did something I’ve dreamed of, and it’s something that I once thought I wouldn’t be doing.”
He said that there is an uncertainty going forward and that it’s not ‘up to him’ whether he gets a chance to put the helmet and cleats on again.
But whether that happens or not, he noted that he and his fellow Cardinals created unforgettable memories and completed their careers ‘their own way.’ When asked about the fanbase, he thanked them for their love.
“It hasn’t been easy, and we haven’t always been winning,” he said. “The fans kept showing up, and we have a lot of people who are backing this thing. I’m excited to see where this thing goes under Coach U.”
Though Kelly and Magwood have never played for anyone other than Ball State, other seniors have. Defensive end Nathan Voorhis finished his lone season with the Cardinals, recording 12 sacks. This puts him in third on the all-time program list and was the most in a season since 1982.
Though he talked about being on that list and making his mark, he said the one thing on his mind was seeing his father after the game.
“My dad doesn’t miss any of my games. I started football in sixth grade, and I could count on my hand how many games he missed,” Voorhis said. “He hasn’t missed a single one this year, and it’s going to be a lot to see him.”
In the end, the Cardinals did not do what they wanted. Kelly, Magwood and Voorhis all said they wanted to get a bowl game and a MAC title for their school. However, the most important thing to them was how they went about doing it and the place they did it in.
“I come from Tampa [Florida],” Kelly said. “It’s the opposite of Muncie. But to be able to make it home in such a short time, it feels good. I have a place I can always come back to no matter if it’s a sporting event or anything. It’s a good feeling because with the transfer portal, it’s not like that for everybody.”
Uremovich is scheduled to hold a season-ending press conference Sunday, Nov. 30, at 4 p.m.
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu, zachcarter039@gmail.com or via X @ZachCarter85.
