Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Ball State football is back in the win column.
The Cardinals (1-2) earned their first victory of the 2025 season with a 34-29 win over New Hampshire (2-1) on Saturday night at Scheumann Stadium. The win was not only the program’s 16th in its last 17 home openers, but also marked the first career victory for head coach Mike Uremovich.
For a program that began the year with two lopsided road losses against Power Four opponents, Saturday’s return to Muncie was exactly the reset this team needed. And the home crowd responded — a loud, engaged atmosphere that I spent the game moving through, talking with fans, and observing up close. There was a genuine energy in the stands, and the Cardinals fed off it.
Qua Ashley Has a Big Day
Running back Qua Ashley stole the show in his Ball State home debut. The Kennesaw State transfer delivered three touchdowns and 187 scrimmage yards on just 14 touches.
Ashley announced himself early with a 43-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, then gave the Cardinals their first lead of the game with a career-long 72-yard sprint in the second. He capped off his performance in the third quarter by slipping out of the backfield for a 27-yard receiving touchdown from quarterback Kiael Kelly.
In just one night, Ashley provided the big-play spark Ball State had been searching for, producing the team’s two longest plays of the young season.
A Shorthanded Defense Battles Through
Defensively, Ball State had to dig deep. Already missing starting safety Michael Gravely Jr. and his backup Deondre Shepherd, the Cardinals moved Ashton Whitner back to safety, where he contributed five tackles and a tackle for loss.
The situation worsened just before halftime when linebacker Joey Stemler, one of the leaders of the defense, was ejected for targeting. With Stemler sidelined, veterans Jackson Wiegold and Jack Beebe stepped up. Beebe led the team with nine tackles, while Wiegold chipped in three stops and two pass breakups.
Still, the pass defense continued to show cracks. New Hampshire quarterback Matt Vezza threw for 259 yards and a touchdown on 25-of-44 passing, while also rushing for 78 yards and a score. Containing his dual-threat ability proved difficult, but the Cardinals did just enough to hold off the Wildcats in the final minutes.
The Takeaway
It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress. Ball State not only secured its first win of the season but also gave its new head coach his first taste of victory in Muncie. Ashley emerged as a legitimate playmaker, and a banged-up defense showed resilience in key moments.
Most importantly, the team rewarded a supportive home crowd with a win worth celebrating. After two rough weeks, Saturday night was about more than the scoreboard — it was about belief, energy, and a reminder of what Ball State football can look like when Scheumann Stadium is rocking.
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.
