GAME INFORMATION
- Kickoff Time: 7:30 PM EST
- Location: Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN
- Where to Watch: ESPN2
- In-game updates on Instagram @WCRDSPORTS
- Where to Listen: WLBC 104.1 FM (PXP Station) | 92.5 WMUN 1340 AM (Pre- & Post-Game Coverage)
- Weather: 54° & Rain
RECORDS & COACHES
- Ball State Cardinals: 3–6 (2–3 MAC) | Head Coach: Mike Uremovich (2nd Season)
- Buffalo Bulls: 6–3 (4–1 MAC) | Head Coach: Pete Lembo (3rd Season)
WHAT A BSU WIN WOULD MEAN
- Keep Bowl Eligibility Hopes Alive: A victory would make Ball State 4–6 overall, preserving their path to secure a 6–6 postseason bowl berth with remaining regular-season games against Ohio and Central Michigan.
- Protect Home Turf: Keeps the Cardinals formidable at Scheumann Stadium and secures a third MAC victory of the season.
- Midweek MACtion Rebound: Improves Ball State’s all-time weeknight broadcast record to 26–29 and builds late-season momentum.
- Spoil Buffalo’s Conference Contention: Knocks off one of the MAC’s top-tier contenders and disrupts former head coach Pete Lembo’s Bulls in the MAC Championship race.
- Would match the win total of the 2025 season (4)
SERIES HISTORY & CONTEXT
- All-Time Series: Ball State leads 11–3 over Buffalo since their first meeting in 1969.
- Last Meeting: Ball State fell in a 51–48 overtime thriller on November 12, 2024, at Broadview Stadium.
- Dominant Home Record: Ball State is historically dominant against the Bulls in Muncie, holding a 5–1 record at Scheumann Stadium.
- Midweek MACtion Tradition: Ball State holds a 25–29 overall record in weeknight broadcast games since 1999.
KEYS TO THE GAME
- Contain Messiah Burch & Hold the Line on the Ground: Buffalo enters averaging over 167 rushing yards per game behind star back Messiah Burch. Ball State’s front seven must plug gaps early to force Buffalo QB Jason Wright into obvious passing situations.
- Re-Establish Explosive Rushing with Jalen Bonds & TJ Horton: Coming off a strong performance at UMass where Jalen Bonds notched 132 yards and 2 TDs, the Cardinals must lean on their backfield to control time of possession and reduce pressure on QB Keldric Luster.
- Clean Up Finishers in the Red Zone: After falling just short in a 31–30 OT loss last week at UMass, Ball State needs maximum efficiency inside the 20-yard line, turning red-zone visits into touchdowns rather than field goals to outpace Buffalo’s high-volume offense.
— Andrew Mason, WCRD Sports Director
