COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ball State Cardinals faced a challenging start to their 2026 football season, suffering a significant 56-3 defeat against the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. The loss, while daunting, has been viewed by the coaching staff as a stepping stone for the team as they look to build on their performance in the coming weeks.
The Buckeyes dominated the game, showcasing their offensive prowess with a staggering total of 671 yards, which included 434 yards through the air and 237 yards on the ground. In contrast, Ball State struggled offensively, managing only 165 total yards and failing to find the end zone throughout the contest. This stark difference in performance underscores the challenge of competing against elite programs like Ohio State.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, head coach Mike Uremovich emphasized the positives that emerged from the game. "There’s a lot of positives on both sides of the ball," he stated confidently. Uremovich, in his second year with the program, believes that this game will not define their season. He praised his players for their effort, noting that they competed hard against a formidable opponent.
One of the standout aspects of the game for Ball State was their special teams unit. Uremovich highlighted their effectiveness in both punt and kick return coverage, with the Cardinals managing to tackle Ohio State's returners short of the 20-yard line on both kickoffs. Additionally, punter Cole Stumbaugh had an impressive outing, pinning the Buckeyes inside their own 10-yard line three times, including a remarkable punt that landed at the 1-yard line.
The only points for Ball State came from kicker Brody Boehm, a former Missouri transfer, who successfully converted a 54-yard field goal, marking a promising start to his collegiate kicking career. Uremovich expressed confidence in Boehm, stating, "I knew he’d make it because I’ve seen it all camp."
On the defensive side, the Cardinals showed some resilience, particularly in the first half, where they limited Ohio State to just 35 rushing yards on 17 carries. Defensive tackles Ameir Glenn and Ka'Shawn Thomas were instrumental in disrupting the Buckeyes' offensive flow, while linebacker Gavin Forsha excelled in tackling and filling gaps. Forsha remarked, "I feel like we all were just fast, physical and giving it our all. That’s a great team we played against, so I’m excited for the rest of the year."
Quarterback Keldric Luster made his much-anticipated debut for Ball State, completing 18 of 33 passes for 89 yards and one interception. While his statistics may not reflect a standout performance, Luster demonstrated his ability to evade pressure and maintain composure under duress. He acknowledged the significance of facing such a tough defense in his first start, stating, "Obviously, not the outcome that we wanted, but it feels great knowing where we are as a team moving forward."
Reflecting on the team's progress compared to last season, Uremovich pointed out that Ball State crossed midfield four times in this game, a notable improvement from their previous opener against Purdue, where they struggled to gain yardage. This year, they forced a turnover and managed to score against a top-ranked opponent, which is a testament to their development.
As the Cardinals prepare for their next matchup against Stony Brook, Uremovich remains optimistic about their future. "There’s a lot of stuff we can fix. We’re going to be watching Stony Brook on the bus back to Muncie and get ready to go play next week," he concluded. With the right adjustments and continued effort, Ball State football aims to build on this experience as they move deeper into the season.
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