Less than seven minutes into Ball State football’s midweek Mid-American Conference (MAC) contest against Miami (OH), the Cardinals proved exactly why MACtion belongs on a major network like ESPN. 

On third down, Ball State senior linebacker Brandon Berger stuffed RedHawks senior running back Dylan Downing for a two-yard loss. Then, on a botched punt for the RedHawks, Berger intercepted the ball for a pick-six. 

It was not only the season's first touchdown for the Cardinals’ defense, but it was also Berger’s first interception of his four-year career. Although Ball State scored a 55-yard touchdown halfway through the third quarter, the red and white peaked early on election night. 

Though the defense held strong, allowing the second-fewest total yards to an opponent this season (333), it was the Cardinals’ offense that cost them the game for the first time this season. An eventual 27-21 loss marked the fifth consecutive time Miami won the Red Bird Rivalry. 

“The disappointment, the dejection, the frustration, the emotion. Looking at the guys in the locker room was very, very difficult,” head coach Mike Neu said. “ … You look at their faces, and it’s tough to find the words to share with the guys in that situation.”

Neu mentioned that Tuesday night was the final time many Ball State players would have the chance to beat Miami. Not only that, but the Cardinals would have earned a winning conference record for the first time since 2022 with a victory. 

Junior wide receiver Justin Bowick had the best game of his collegiate career with eight catches for 171 yards and a touchdown, and junior tight end Tanner Koziol broke the single-season record for the most receptions by a Ball State tight end in history with three games remaining. 

Redshirt freshman quarterback Kadin Semonza even finished with 280 yards on 64 percent passing, but it was the Cardinals’ refusal to trust their run game that cost them. 

Redshirt junior wide receiver Kiael Kelly led Ball State with seven rush attempts, out-touching starting senior running back Braedon Sloan by four and backup redshirt junior back Vaughn Pemberton by two. Neu cited Ball State’s strength in quarterback rushing situations against the RedHawks last season as a reason for Kelly’s increase in rushing attempts Tuesday, and Neu wasn’t necessarily wrong. 

In a 17-15 loss to Miami last year, Kelly rushed for 136 yards on 20 attempts under center. The only difference this year is that Kelly is no longer a quarterback, and Ball State’s starting running back didn’t earn an additional 31 carries like current San Diego State running back Marquez Cooper did last season. 

Ball State’s offense also struggled mightily within 20 yards of the end zone, never converting for a touchdown in the red zone. Among a few traditional plays, the Cardinals’ offense also drew up some unusual play calls such as wildcat rushes and screen passes that amounted to nothing. 

“I feel like we [can] hit on all cylinders,” Bowick said. “The running back room, the tight end room, receivers; we have a really good offensive core. It came down to us making small mistakes.” 

Neu admitted that Ball State’s offense must be more consistent in order to achieve success with three must-win games on the horizon. Having been in a situation where his squad’s postseason aspirations hung in the balance before, Neu predicted a need to be comforted by his wife, children and other family members, thanking them ahead of time. 

But after the third one-possession loss of the season Tuesday, Neu knows how critical immediately shifting his focus toward a matchup next Tuesday, Nov. 13 on the road against Buffalo at 7 p.m. 

“[I’m] frustrated and disappointed. It stings,” Neu said. “It’s certainly not going to be easy tonight, but [I’ve] got to turn the page. There's only one way to do business, and that's to fight all the way till the end.” 

That’s what the locker room plans to do as well; because for some, there is no next year. The Bulls sit at 5-4 overall with a 3-2 conference record, whereas the Cardinals are now 3-6 overall with a 2-3 MAC record. Ball State must win its remaining three contests to remain bowl-eligible. 

“That's all we're focused on,” Berger said. “I'll do anything to win these next three games and get one more game with my brothers … We gotta chase that winning feeling again.”

Contact Kyle Smedley via email at kmsmedley213@gmail.com or via X @KyleSmedley_.

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