MUNCIE, Ind. — Opening the college football season at home for the first time since 2021, the Ball State football program prepares to begin its 100th season this week as it hosts Missouri State at Scheumann Stadium in a home game sponsored by Army ROTC. The first 1,000 fans will receive free T-shirts to celebrate the Cardinals’ 100th season.

The 100th anniversary of Ball State’s first season in 1924 coincides with the 100th season on the field, as the Cardinals did not field a team in 1943 due to World War II. This season, Scheumann Stadium will host a season-long 100th season celebration.

While the 2023 Cardinals had a rotating QB rotation and a change in game systems during the season, the 2024 Cardinals appear to be more explosive behind the redshirt freshman QB Kadin Semonza and a deep receiving unit behind outstanding Justin Bowie, Qian Magwood And Ty Robinson; and Tight End Tanner Koziol. Added to the mix behind the new offensive coordinator Jared Elliott are FCS All-America running backs Braedon Sloanreturning RB Vaughn Pemberton and the most experienced offensive line in the Mid-American Conference. The offense hopes to maintain the attacks and score points under the leadership of the coordinator and tight ends coach Jared Elliottwho was promoted from co-offensive coordinator last season.

Ball State’s most important feature in its final six games last year was its defense, which ended up allowing just 15.2 points per game. Keionte Newson returns to take the lead, although he will have a number of new faces at his side under coordinator Jeff Knowles.

The special teams are led by a second kicker. Jackson Courvillewhose consistency earned him the job as a rookie last season. Experienced long snapper Tucker Dunn also return and grade transfer Brian Cooey, Jr.should take over the punting tasks.

WHAT A VICTORY MEANS:

The Cardinals start the season 1-0, winning their first home game for the 14th time in the last 15 tries. The only blemish during this stretch was a loss to Western Michigan in 2022.

Ball State has defeated a team from the Missouri Valley Football Conference in each of the last four seasons.

Mike New will record his 38th win as head coach of his alma mater, passing Ray Louthen (1962-67) and Bill Lynch (1995-02) for fifth-most wins as coach at Ball State. New to the team was Lynch’s QB in the 1990-92 seasons as QB coach and offensive coordinator.

IN NUMBERS:

9 – Kadin Semonza made his college debut last year at Kentucky and Georgia. Ball State ran at least nine games in 5 of its first 6 series against UK/UGA.

81 – Keionte Newson was the Cardinals’ best player last year with 81 tackles in 12 games. In Ball State’s last 11 games, he averaged 7.3 stops.

100 – Ball State football’s 100th year coincides with the 100th anniversary of its first season in 1924. The all-time record: 476-456-32.

117 – An experienced offensive line has 117 career starts, ranking 12th among all FBS teams.