Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Ball State football returns home this Saturday for the first time in 2025, welcoming New Hampshire to Scheumann Stadium in what feels like an important early checkpoint for Mike Uremovich’s first season in Muncie.
The Cardinals are 0–2 after falling on the road at Auburn, but Saturday isn’t just another game — it’s the home debut for a new coaching staff and a roster with plenty of fresh faces. Uremovich made it clear this week he’s looking forward to finally putting his team in front of the Muncie crowd.
“This is the first home game for our new staff, and we’ve got a bunch of new players that will have a chance to play at home,” Uremovich said Monday. “Muncie has been great to us since we got here, so we’re excited to go out and play in front of the home fans.”
The opponent won’t make it easy. New Hampshire comes in at 2–0 and has the look of another playoff contender at the FCS level. Led by head coach Ricky Santos, the Wildcats have racked up eight sacks through two games and already blocked multiple kicks. Their quarterback, a Chicago native, is as dangerous with his feet as he is with his arm.
“They know how to win football games,” Uremovich said. “They’re a very, very talented football team. It’ll be a good challenge for us on Saturday.”
Key Storylines
Offensive Struggles
Through two weeks, Ball State’s biggest problem has been moving the football. The Cardinals are averaging just 135.5 yards per game, ranking near the bottom of the FBS, and have yet to score an offensive touchdown. Uremovich pointed to penalties, missed assignments, and early-down mistakes as reasons drives have stalled.
Wide receiver Eric Weatherly echoed the same message.
“I feel like we just need all 11 guys to do their assignment,” Weatherly said. “If we do, I feel like we’ll be unstoppable.”
Weatherly’s optimism might sound bold considering the numbers, but there’s no denying the Cardinals have weapons if everything clicks. Quarterback Kiael Kelly has flashed mobility, and the coaching staff believes the ground game can eventually set the tone.
Defensive Progress
If there was a bright spot at Auburn, it came from the defensive front. Ball State sacked the Tigers five times and showed growth in coverage compared to Week 1. Senior defensive end Nathan Voorhis said the group is gaining confidence.
“We went into Auburn, who had a big crowd, good environment … and we attacked Auburn,” Voorhis said. “That really shows that we know we can play with anybody.”
The challenge this week is different. New Hampshire isn’t Auburn, but the Wildcats have a balanced offense that will test discipline, especially on the edge.
By the Numbers
- Ball State Offense: 1.5 PPG (135th in FBS), 135.5 YPG
- Ball State Defense: 464 YPG allowed (125th in FBS), 36.5 PPG allowed
- New Hampshire Offense: 23 PPG, 291.5 YPG (FCS)
- New Hampshire Defense: 13 PPG allowed (12th in FCS), 263 YPG allowed
On paper, New Hampshire has been the more efficient team so far, especially on defense. The Wildcats’ pass defense has given up just 133.5 yards per game and only one touchdown all season. For a Ball State offense searching for rhythm, that matchup is critical.
Kickoff Details
- When: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2 p.m. ET
- Where: Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, Ind.
- TV/Stream: ESPN+
Final Thoughts
This game may not carry the brand name of last week’s trip to Auburn, but for Ball State it might be even more important. New Hampshire is no pushover — they’re a proven FCS program that expects to win. But for Uremovich and his team, Saturday is about proving growth, giving the home crowd something to cheer about, and showing the offense is capable of breaking through.
If the Cardinals can clean up the early-down mistakes and carry over the defensive energy from Auburn, they’ll give themselves a shot at their first win of 2025.
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.
