Ball State is set to kick off its 100th football season with a home matchup against Missouri State (0-1). The Cardinals will host the Bears on Saturday, Sep. 7.
Ball State was the only team in FBS with a Week 1 bye week, so they enter Week 2 with a fresh 0-0 record seeking a strong start against an FCS opponent. Missouri State is coming off a 29-24 Week 1 loss at Montana.
Ball State is led by ninth year head coach and former Cardinals QB Mike Neu. The Cardinals are looking to get back to bowl eligibility after a 4-8 season in 2023 and a 5-7 season in 2022. Missouri State, meanwhile, is led by second year head coach Ryan Beard, who led the Bears to a 4-7 finish in 2023.
More:What channel is Ball State football vs. Missouri State? Time, streaming info for opener
More:Ball State football: Breaking down the new-look Cardinals ahead of Missouri State opener
Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. ET at Scheumann Stadium on Saturday. Follow along here for live updates throughout the game:
Ball State opens the season with a win
Missouri State managed another touchdown to make it 42-34, but it was too little, too late, as the onside kick went out of bounds, and Ball State took a knee to end it.
Sloan scores his second of the day
After another touchdown drive by Missouri State, Sloan took a run up the middle 40 yards for his second touchdown of the day in his Ball State debut. Sloan's touchdown made it 42-27.
Semonza's fourth total TD gives Ball State a two-score lead again
Semonza found tight end Tanner Koziol in the back corner of the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown pass with about 7 minutes to go in the 4th quarter. Semonza now has four total scores in the game, one rushing and three passing.
Missouri State narrows the gap with long TD pass
Missouri State QB Jacob Clark hit tight end Lance Mason for a 57-yard touchdown to make it 28-21.
Ball State pulls away after another forced turnover
Missouri State's offense came out looking to respond, but linebacker Joey Stemler came down with an interception. Semonza hit Qian Magwood for a 16-yard touchdown strike to stretch the lead to 28-14 in the fourth quarter.
Fumbled kick return sets up another Ball State score
On the ensuing kickoff after Gillie's touchdown, George Udo forced a fumble on Missouri State kick returner D'Vontae Key that was recovered by Nick Munson. Ball State took over at their own 27-yard line, and after a break between the 3rd and 4th quarters, Braedon Sloan took a carry 11 yards up the middle to give the Cardinals their first lead of the day.
Ball State ties it with long touchdown to Gillie
After a second pick-six by Semonza was taken away due to a defensive holding call, the Cardinals drove to the 41 yard line where they faced a 4th-and-3 for a second straight drive. This time, Semonza hit Malcolm Gillie on a slant, and Gillie broke through contact to score a touchdown and tie the game 14-14.
Ball State fails to convert 4th down, Missouri State capitalizes
After a second straight 3-and-out by Missouri State, Ball State started to put a drive together. The Cardinals elected to go for it on 4th-and-3 at midfield, but Semonza took a sack to set up the Bears in Ball State territory. Missouri State capitalized with a quick touchdown drive, finished off by a 5-yard run by Jacardia Wright.
Defense forces another 3-and-out
The Cardinals' defense forced another 3-and-out, their third of the game, to start the second half.
Ball State tied with Missouri State at halftime
Ball State remains tied, 7-7, with Missouri State at halftime of the Cardinals' season opener. The Ball State defense has only allowed 62 total yards on 15 plays and held the Bears to 0-for-4 on third down conversions. The offense has controlled the pace of the game, as the Cardinals had a 23:27-6:33 time of possession advantage, but has only managed one scoring drive.
Kadin Semonza scrambles for first TD of the season
Semonza got the Cardinals on the board with nine minutes to go in the first half, scrambling 15 yards for the score on 3rd and goal. Courville converted the PAT to make it 7-7.
Ball State fails to convert field goal
Ball State's third drive went deep into Bears territory, but Jackson Courville missed a 38-yard field goal wide left. The Cardinals forced a 3-and-out and will look to break through on offense once again.
Ball State trails after one quarter
Ball State trails Missouri State 7-0 after the first 15 minutes. Hall's pick-six was the lone score of the quarter. Ball State was lining up to attempt a 39-yard field goal on 4th and 6 when the quarter expired.
Missouri State scores first on pick-six
After both teams punted on their first drives, Ball State put together a drive that got past midfield. Disaster struck for the Cardinals when a pass from Kadin Semonza was bobbled by backup receiver Cam Pickett into the arms of Missouri State DB P.J. Hall. Hall broke a tackle attempt from Semonza and took it the rest of the way to get the Bears on the board first.
Ty Robinson into medical tent on first play
On the first play from scrimmage, the Cardinals managed a quick first down, but receiver Ty Robinson remained down on the play. He was immediately taken to the medical tent with a staffer holding his right wrist and shoulder.
Ball State receives opening kickoff
The Cardinals received the ball to start the 100th season of Ball State football.
Ball State football vs. Missouri State live score updates
