Ball State soccer 2022 schedule: Week-by-week breakdown, video games
Prepared or not, faculty soccer is again in full swing subsequent week.
Ball State is coming off back-to-back bowl video games — one thing it achieved simply two different instances in program historical past — and went 6-7 (4-4 Mid-American Convention) final season.
Coming off a 12 months with excessive expectations after profitable its first outright MAC Championship since 1996 and first bowl sport in program historical past in 2020, final 12 months’s marketing campaign led to a 51-20 loss towards Georgia State within the Camellia Bowl on Christmas Day.
The Cardinals enter this season picked to complete final within the MAC West Division within the convention preseason media ballot and have loads of doubters after graduating greater than two dozen seniors who helped flip this system round below now-seventh-year head coach Mike Neu.
Extra:Ball State football’s 2023 recruiting class adds 10 in a week, bringing total commits to 12
They’ll play three opponents for the primary time — Tennessee, Murray State and Georgia Southern — this season and can play its first convention sport towards Western Michigan in Week 2.
Here is a week-by-week take a look at Ball State’s soccer schedule:
All video games are performed on Saturday until in any other case famous.
Sept. 1 (Thursday) at Tennessee
Sport particulars: 7 p.m. on SEC Community (TV), Ball State Radio Community/Sirius XM 972 (Radio)
2021 report: 7-6 (4-4 Southeastern Convention)
All-time vs. BSU: No earlier conferences.
Final assembly: No earlier conferences.
Tennessee enters the season as Ball State’s solely opponent to get recognition within the preseason AP High 25 and AFCA Coaches Polls. The Volunteers obtained votes in each however sit outdoors the highest 25 within the AP (No. 26) and Coaches Ballot (No. 28), respectively.
The Cardinals are 0-10 all-time towards SEC opponents, with its final sport towards an SEC foe coming in a 56-23 loss at Texas A&M in 2015. Ball State has simply 4 victories towards Energy 5 opponents all-time. Enjoying in front of 105,323 fans at Beaver Stadium last season at the very least offers this group an thought of what Neyland Stadium, which has a capability of 101,915, will really feel like.
The Volunteers have been the seventh-highest ranked scoring offense within the nation final season, averaging 39.3 factors per sport, however their protection additionally gave up 29.1 factors, which ranked Ninetieth-best within the Soccer Bowl Subdivision. Tennessee followers enter 2022 with excessive hopes below now-second 12 months coach Josh Heupel, who guided the group to a 7-6 report final season.
Tennessee enters the years with eight returning starters on offense, together with its quarterback Hendon Hooker (2,945 passing yards, 616 speeding yards, 36 complete TDs, three INTs), tailback Jabari Small (796 speeding yards, 9 TDs) and all however one in all its offensive linemen. Seven of eight starters return on a protection which allowed 421.7 yards per sport in 2021.
Sept. 10 vs. Western Michigan
Sport particulars: 2 p.m. on ESPN+ (TV), Ball State Radio Community (Radio)
2021 report: 8-5 (4-4 MAC)
All-time vs. BSU: Western Michigan leads 26-22
Final assembly: Ball State gained 45-20 on Oct. 9, 2021
Much like final season, Ball State will play its first convention sport early when Western Michigan involves city in Week 2. It is the earliest MAC sport Ball State has performed because it hosted Japanese Michigan in Week 1 in 2012.
This sport feels nearly like a must-win for the Cardinals in the event that they need to get again to a bowl sport this season. Final 12 months, Ball State’s protection dominated in Kalamazoo, Michigan, because the Cardinals ran away with a 45-20 victory.
Ball State will enter this sport on 9 days relaxation whereas Western Michigan could have eight because it opens the season at Michigan State Friday, Sept. 2. The Broncos could have a comparatively younger offensive line and exchange quarterback Kaleb Eleby (3,277 passing yards, 23 TDs, six INTs) and 4 of its top-five main broad receivers, together with Skyy Moore (1,292 receiving yards, 10 TDs).
The Broncos scored 32.5 factors and gave up 28.2 factors in 2021. They carry again extra items on protection (seven starters) on what seems to be one of many higher general items within the MAC. Ball State’s offense will likely be examined because it tries to beat Western Michigan for the third straight 12 months.
Extra:No catchy mottos, no championship talk, just confidence for Ball State football in 2022
Sept. 17 vs. Murray State
Sport particulars: 2 p.m. on ESPN+ (TV), Ball State Radio Community (Radio)
2021 report: 6-5 (3-3 Ohio Valley Convention)
All-time vs. BSU: No earlier conferences.
Final assembly: No earlier conferences.
Murray State involves Muncie on Household Weekend. The Racers are the lone Soccer Championship Subdivision opponent on Ball State’s schedule this season.
The Racers scored 21.6 factors and allowed 25.3 in 2021. They ran the ball almost twice as a lot as they handed (453-279 makes an attempt) and averaged almost the identical quantity of yards on offense (346.3) as they gave up on protection (347.3).
Ball State set the mistaken tone in a aggressive sport towards FCS Western Illinois in Week 1 final season. This sport is one Ball State ought to have the ability to management on either side of the ball.
Sept. 24 at Georgia Southern
Sport particulars: 6 p.m. on ESPN+ (TV), Ball State Radio Community (Radio)
2021 report: 3-9 (2-6 Solar Belt)
All-time vs. BSU: No earlier conferences.
Final assembly: No earlier conferences.
Ball State and Georgia Southern have by no means performed. However Georgia Southern does play Solar Belt opponent Georgia State (the identical group Ball State lost to in the Camellia Bowl in 2021) each season. Final 12 months, the Eagles misplaced to the Panthers 21-14.
Final 12 months, Georgia Southern had its first shedding season since going 2-10 in 2017. The Eagles employed Clay Helton at head coach, together with a lot of new assistants, this offseason however are nonetheless predicted to complete within the bottom-half of the Solar Belt. In 2021, Georgia Southern scored 20.3 factors and allowed 31.4 factors per sport.
The Eagles will transition from its option-style offense right into a extra pass-heavy assault with multi-year beginning quarterback Kyle Vantrease from Buffalo taking on at quarterback. Final 12 months, Georgia Southern averaged 147 passing yards per sport in comparison with 193 speeding yards.
Ball State will at the very least have some tape on the brand new look of the Eagles’ offense and it will be attention-grabbing to see the place Helton can take this program in his first season on the helm.
Extra:Meet Ball State football’s defensive transfers who can make an immediate impact
Oct. 1 vs. Northern Illinois
Sport particulars: TBA on TBD (TV), Ball State Radio Community (Radio)
2021 report: 9-5 (6-2 MAC)
All-time vs. BSU: Northern Illinois leads 25-22-2
Final assembly: Northern Illinois gained 30-29 on Nov. 10, 2021
A loss to Northern Illinois appeared to be the start of the top in 2021 for Ball State. A win would’ve given the Cardinals an out of doors shot at competing for the MAC West title. Ball State led, too, after Jacob Lewis hit a 48-yard subject aim with 1:42 to go. Northern Illinois’ kicker John Richardson hit a 32-yard subject aim as time expired to offer the Huskies the 30-29 victory.
Northern Illinois is the MAC favourite heading into the 12 months. After going from winless in 2020 to profitable the convention title in 2021 and returning a lot of the offense and protection from final 12 months’s group, it is not laborious to see why Thomas Hammock’s squad is taken into account to be the favourite by many.
However Ball State was the favourite within the preseason final 12 months. These predictions do not matter on the subject of #MACtion.
The Huskies have been truly outscored (33.7-32.2) on common throughout final 12 months’s 9-5 run. Seven of its eight common season victories have been by a possession or much less. Northern Illinois averaged 241.4 speeding yards and 187.4 passing yards in 2021 however lose its prime operating again Jay Ducker (1,184 yards, three TDs) and prime crimson zone risk Clint Ratkovich (461 speeding yards, 13 TDs). It does, nevertheless, carry again former Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi (2,597 passing yards, 473 speeding yards, 24 complete TDs, eight INTs) and 4 of its top-five receivers.
Defensively, Northern Illinois allowed 453.5 yards per sport final season. It should play two SEC opponents in Vanderbilt and Kentucky in back-to-back weeks earlier than touring to Muncie.
Oct. 8 at Central Michigan
Sport particulars: 3:30 p.m. on TBD (TV), Ball State Radio Community (Radio)
2021 report: 9-4 (6-2 MAC)
All-time vs. BSU: Central Michigan leads 27-26-1
Final assembly: Central Michigan gained 37-17 on Nov. 17, 2021
Following a heart-wrenching loss to Northern Illinois, Ball State was dominated by Central Michigan final season. The Chippewas outgained the Cardinals 567-329 and gained by 20 on a chilly evening in Muncie.
This season, Central Michigan seems to be within the combine to compete for a MAC title. Had it not been for a one-point loss to Northern Illinois, Central Michigan would’ve represented the MAC West within the MAC Championship sport final season.
It returns the NCAA’s speeding chief Lew Nichols (1,848 yards, 16 TDs) and quarterback Daniel Richardson (2,633 passing yards, 24 TDs, six INTs) together with an skilled offensive line on an offense that averaged 32.3 factors and 444.5 yards per sport. Central Michigan’s largest query will likely be at broad receiver, the place it loses two of its prime three weapons.
Defensively, the Chippewas lose all however 4 starters on a unit which gave up 25.8 factors and 382.5 yards per sport in 2021. Ball State will journey to Mt. Nice, Michigan, for Central Michigan’s homecoming sport.
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Oct. 15 at Connecticut
Sport particulars: TBA on TBD (TV), Ball State Radio Community (Radio)
2021 report: 1-11 (FBS Independents)
All-time vs. BSU: Ball State leads 3-0
Final assembly: Ball State gained 24-21 on Sept. 28, 2002
UConn is the one non-conference opponent this season with which Ball State has some historical past. The Cardinals maintain a 3-0 all-time report over the Huskies and the 2 final met 20 years in the past.
Final season was a multitude for UConn. The Huskies went 1-11 — although they’d back-to-back shut video games towards Wyoming (24-22) and Vanderbilt (30-28) in the course of the season — had their coach resign two weeks into the season after a 38-28 loss to Holy Cross and the remainder of their teaching workers notified they will be terminated after the season in late September.
Enter former NFL coach Jim Mora, who beforehand coached at UCLA (2012-17) earlier than being employed to steer the Huskies. UConn did not play soccer in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 and has gained 4 mixed video games because the begin of the 2018 season.
The Huskies averaged simply 15.6 factors whereas permitting 38.5 factors per sport in 2021. They averaged 265 yards per sport, the third-worst mark within the NCAA, and allowed 451.8 yards per contest. UConn hasn’t had a profitable season since 2010.
Extra:Why Ball State TEs, led by Jared Elliott, are one of the most intriguing position groups
Oct. 22 vs. Japanese Michigan
Sport particulars: 2 p.m. on TBD (TV), Ball State Radio Community (Radio)
2021 report: 7-6 (4-4 MAC)
All-time vs. BSU: Ball State leads 37-24-2
Final assembly: Ball State gained 38-31 on Oct. 16, 2021
Final season, Japanese Michigan misplaced a trio of one-score video games to Northern Illinois, Ball State and Ohio however completed with a profitable report earlier than falling 56-20 to Liberty within the Lending Tree Bowl. The Eagles have gone to bowl video games 4 out of the previous seven years.
The Eagles averaged 30.2 factors offensively whereas permitting 30 factors defensively in 2021. They averaged 381.4 complete yards of offense whereas permitting 437.8 complete yards.
Offensively, Japanese Michigan welcomes in former Troy and Missouri quarterback Taylor Powell. He’ll exchange Ben Bryant (3,121 passing yards, 14 TDs, seven INTs) on an Japanese Michigan offense that brings again its top-four receivers and two of its top-three operating backs. The protection returns six starters.
Ball State’s homecoming sport towards Japanese Michigan figures to be one other must-win if it desires to make a bowl sport. Japanese Michigan might very properly have the identical thought.
Nov. 1 (Tuesday) at Kent State
Sport particulars: 7/7:30 p.m. on ESPN2/ESPNU (TV), Ball State Radio Community (Radio)
2021 report: 7-7 (6-2 MAC)
All-time vs. BSU: Ball State leads 21-8
Final assembly: Kent State gained 41-38 on Nov. 23, 2019
Ball State did not should play probably the most explosive offenses within the nation final season in Kent State.
In 2021, the Golden Flashes ranked fourth in complete offense, averaging 493.4 yards and 33 factors per sport. The Golden Flashes’ protection was its problem, permitting 36.3 factors and 471.4 yards per sport.
Whereas Kent State returns its top-two main rushers in Marquez Cooper (1,205 speeding yards, 11 TDs) and Xavier Williams (812 speeding yards, three TDs) together with main receiver Dante Cephas (1,240 yards, 9 TDs), it replaces to switch dual-threat quarterback Dustin Crum.
Defensively, Kent State is now led by Jerermiah Johnson, who has led one of many FCS’ prime defenses at Northern Iowa. With about half their defensive starters from a 12 months in the past returning, it will be attention-grabbing to see if the Golden Flashes’ protection can make them extra victories.
Nov. 8 (Tuesday) at Toledo
Sport particulars: 7/7:30/8 p.m. on ESPN/ESPN2/CBSSN (TV), Ball State Radio Community (Radio)
2021 report: 7-6 (5-3 MAC)
All-time vs. BSU: Toledo leads 25-21-1
Final assembly: Toledo gained 22-12 on Sept. 25, 2021
Ball State’s residence loss towards Toledo got here down to 2 huge performs within the first half from which the Cardinals have been unable to come back again. It did not assist that Ball State settled for 4 subject objectives and was unable to attain on a drive that ended at Toledo’s 14-yard line as the primary half expired.
Regardless, Toledo is available in as one of many MAC West favorites alongside reigning champion Northern Illinois and Central Michigan. The Rockets have not gained the MAC since 2017 however have made bowl video games in 5 of the earlier seven seasons. They have been unnoticed of a bowl in 2019 regardless of going 6-6.
The Rockets averaged 33.4 factors and 436.2 yards on offense final season whereas permitting 21.8 factors and 349.7 yards to their opponents. It brings again dynamic quarterback Dequan Finn (2,067 passing yards, 501 speeding yards, 27 complete TDs, two INTs) and his favourite goal Devin Maddox (567 receiving yards, 4 TDs). Toledo does transfer on from main operating again Bryant Koback (1,400 speeding yards, 15 TDs) and, as reported by UT beat reporter Kyle Rowland, had offensive linemen Tyler Lengthy (heart) and Mitch Berg (sort out) go down with accidents.
It returns most of its defensive starters from final season, together with six of its top-seven tackles. Defensive finish Jamal Hines had 88 tackles, 10 sacks and eight go breakups in 2021. The remainder of its line of defense and linebacking corps is simply as skilled.
Extra:After an injury-filled 2021 season, Ball State’s offensive line has experience, depth
Nov. 15 (Tuesday) vs. Ohio
Sport particulars: 7 p.m. on ESPN2/ESPNU (TV), Ball State Radio Community (Radio)
2021 report: 3-9 (3-5 MAC)
All-time vs. BSU: Ball State leads 15-11
Final assembly: Ohio gained 34-21 on Oct. 26, 2019
Ohio is one other group Ball State hasn’t performed in a number of seasons. The Bobcats have been an intriguing group within the MAC East final season, regardless of going 3-9. They misplaced shut video games to Central Michigan (30-27), Buffalo (27-26) and Kent State (34-27).
Offensively, the Bobcats struggled final season, scoring 22.6 factors per sport and averaging 371.4 yards. They return now-sophomore quarterback Kurtis Rourke (1,801 passing yards, 327 speeding yards, 14 TDs, seven INTs) however might want to exchange their top-two operating backs and 4 of their top-five go catchers this season.
Defensively, Ohio gave up 30.3 factors and 423.3 yards per sport to its opponents. It brings again all however one starter on and added a pair of Large Ten transfers, so its protection is predicted to see enchancment.
Nov. 22 (Tuesday) at Miami (Ohio)
Sport particulars: 7 p.. on ESPNU/ESPN+ (TV), Ball State Radio Community (Radio)
2021 report: 7-6 (5-3 MAC)
All-time vs. BSU: Miami leads 21-13-1
Final assembly: Miami gained 24-17 on Oct. 23, 2021
Purple Chicken Rivalry sport within the final week of the season? If the MAC standings shake out like they did in 2021, each of those groups may very well be vying for bowl eligibility within the closing week of the common season.
Miami is among the many favorites to tug away in an arguably weaker East Division. It went 7-6 final season however misplaced all its convention video games to Japanese Michigan, Ohio and Kent State by a mixed 4 factors. The RedHawks play Kentucky, Cincinnati and Northwestern in non-conference play. Barring an upset in both a type of video games, they will want each MAC win they’ll get.
Miami has gotten the very best of Ball State traditionally and in recent times, with the RedHawks profitable 5 of the final six head-to-head matchups. Final 12 months, Miami beat Ball State 24-17 in Muncie. The 12 months earlier than, it was the one group to beat Ball State in its magical 2020 season.
The RedHawks’ offense was first rate final season with quarterback Brett Gabbert (2,648 passing yards, 26 TDs, six INTs). It returns most of its speeding and receiving manufacturing together with all however one beginning lineman from final season’s group. Defensively, it allowed 23.1 factors and 368.5 complete yards to its opponents on common in 2021. It should exchange a lot of starters on that aspect of the ball.
Neither aspect will want any further motivation for this sport. Time will inform what sort of stakes are going to be on the road days earlier than Thanksgiving.
Robby Basic covers Ball State and East Central Indiana highschool sports activities for The Star Press. Contact him by way of e-mail at rgeneral@gannett.com or on Twitter @rgeneraljr.
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