2026 Northwestern Football Know Your Opponent: Ball State Cardinals

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For the fifth game on Northwestern’s schedule, Ball State is coming to Evanston on Oct. 10 to try and pull off a shocking upset. As the third and final non-conference game on the Wildcats’ regular-season schedule, the Cardinals shouldn’t cause too much of a problem whatsoever.

The Basics

Returning Production: 36% overall (47% offense, 24% defense); 123rd in FBS

2025 Record: 4-8 (3-5 MAC)

Head Coach: Mike Uremovich (second season)

The Stats

2026 SP+ Overall: 134th

2026 SP+ Offense: 136th

2026 SP+ Defense: 128th

2026 SP+ Special Teams: 135th

2025 Capsule

In each of the Cardinals’ last three seasons, they failed to win more than four games. In Uremovich’s first season, Ball State didn’t see much success. The MAC as a whole is often viewed as one of the two worst conferences in the FBS, and usually these teams struggle against Power Four opponents. One way to sum up the Cardinals’ 2025 season is this: Ball State lost 31-0 to Purdue to start the season. Yes, the same Purdue team that went 2-10 in 2025. Of all 136 FBS teams, the Cardinals averaged the third-fewest yards per game and the fifth-fewest points per game. Their defense wasn’t as bad, but still finished in the bottom half among FBS teams.

Offensive Overview

Ball State’s offense starts with the quarterback position. Last season, Kiael Kelly was a good runner but was very inconsistent throwing the ball. For 2026, the Cardinals brought in Texas State transfer Keldric Luster and Concord University (DII) transfer Tyler Mizzell. Luster is more of a dual threat, while Mizzell is more pass-first. If either of them can provide consistency and a spark, the Cardinals could see drastic improvement toward winning more than four games. As for running backs, Ball State’s leading rusher (non-quarterback) transferred out, and among returners, there is only one rushing touchdown accounted for. Whoever starts at quarterback will likely run a lot, like Kelly did last year, but it’s a big unknown as to who, if anyone, will make strides forward at running back.

While the offensive line struggled to keep teams out of the backfield, giving up the third-most tackles-for-loss-per-game and the second-most sacks-per-game in the FBS, it’s full of veterans. With many returning players and some transfer additions, what was a huge weakness for Ball State could turn into a strength if experience plays a role.

The coaching staff looked to heavily upgrade the Cardinals’ pass-catching unit in the offseason. Donovan Hamilton returns after catching 20 passes in 2025 (the second-most receptions among Ball State WRs), and with the addition of FAU transfer Jabari Smith Jr. (not the Houston Rockets forward), Ball State has a strong foundation. Much of the offensive line and receiving corps has experience; the question is whether that experience will translate to scoring more than in 2025.

Defensive Overview

Defensively, Ball State has the third-lowest returning production in the FBS. This includes the two new FBS teams that are making the jump from the FCS ranks.

The defensive line is one area that does return some of its production from last year. Also, beyond the guys returning, Ball State added four Power Four D-line transfers. The Cardinals’ coaching staff added plenty of size in Wake Forest transfer Ka’Shawn Thomas and Cincinnati transfer Keilan Smith, as well as Louisville transfer defensive tackle Kendrick Gilbert. San Diego State transfer edge rusher Jared Badie adds more help to Ball State’s pass rush. The linebacker unit also looks almost completely different. Cincinnati transfer Cincear Lewis is likely the biggest name at LB, but again this defense is comprised of players who don’t have any real starting experience.

Willizhuan Yates is the most notable returning player in the secondary, as he slots  in as CB1 for the Cardinals. Colorado State defensive back transfer Chris Jackson is a big addition for Ball State, as are Ohio State transfer Dianté Griffin and Purdue transfer Sterling Smith. Derek Fields is the other returning defensive starter for Ball State from 2025, so the secondary may be the strongest part of this defense. Once again, though, it’s hard to predict how things will go with so little starting experience in this group.

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