Ball State Athletics
Ball State made its fourth trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday and left with another lesson in life on the road against the SEC, falling to Auburn 42–3. The Cardinals (0-2) showed fight on defense early but couldn’t find answers on offense, while the Tigers (2-0) piled up nearly 500 yards of total offense in front of 88,043 fans.
1. Kiael Kelly couldn’t find his rhythm.
Redshirt senior quarterback Kiael Kelly struggled to get the Cardinals moving. He finished 10-of-16 for 71 yards with six sacks absorbed, though he avoided turnovers through the air. His longest play came on a 21-yard run in the first half, but consistency was missing as Ball State ended with just 68 yards of total offense and went 1-of-14 on third downs.
2. The defense delivered pressure, even against SEC talent.
The Cardinals’ defense was the bright spot. Redshirt junior linebacker DeJuan Echoles Jr. turned in a career day with two sacks and three forced fumbles, while Drew Hughes, Caden Johnson, and Scott Hudson also notched sacks. Ball State finished with five in total—the most against a Power Five opponent since the 2008 season. Still, Auburn’s depth showed as Jeremiah Cobb (121 rushing yards, two TDs) and Eric Singleton Jr. (two TD catches) broke free.
3. Auburn’s balance was too much.
Even with five fumbles and five sacks allowed, the Tigers rolled behind quarterback Jackson Arnold’s efficiency (24-of-28, 251 yards, 3 TDs). Auburn rushed for 224 yards at 6.6 yards per carry and controlled the game after a 21–0 halftime lead. For Ball State, Carson Holmer’s 22-yard field goal late in the third quarter was the only scoring drive, set up by a Joey Stemler fumble recovery deep in Auburn territory.
Ball State now turns to its home opener against New Hampshire on Sept. 13 at Scheumann Stadium, while Auburn will look to keep momentum rolling as SEC play nears.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
