Ball State football travels to Evanston to face Northwestern in the Wildcats’ second game at their new Ryan Field, hoping to snap a difficult run that has left the Cardinals with a 1-4 record this season. The contest on Saturday will wrap up Ball State’s nonconference schedule, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET.
Northwestern began the season with a 34-13 win over Penn State in the debut of their revamped stadium, setting a strong tone at home. The Wildcats hold a 3-1 record overall and are 1-1 in Big Ten play. Ball State, meanwhile, comes off a 39-24 loss to Toledo on their home turf, struggling to find consistency in the early part of the season.
Ball State and Northwestern’s paths have crossed only once before. In 2015, the Cardinals lost narrowly on the road, 24-19, showing they could keep pace with a Big Ten opponent. That remains their closest approach to victory against Northwestern and a rare competitive outing in their history against Power Five teams. Overall, Ball State carries a 3-30 record against Big Ten programs.
The Cardinals’ current challenges extend to their record under head coach Mike Uremovich, who has yet to secure a road win. They are 0-10 away from home during his tenure, so a win at Northwestern would break two significant streaks.
The matchup tests Ball State’s ability to compete against a Power Five program in a fresh environment while seeking momentum before conference play intensifies. Northwestern’s strong start and home advantage make them clear favourites, but Ball State’s previous close encounter with the Wildcats suggests the game could be competitive.
The Star Press has been providing live updates on the game and will continue to do so throughout the contest. Fans and followers can expect real-time coverage as the teams take the field at the new Ryan Field.
According to Yahoo Sports.