Kent State at Ball State - 2025 Matchup Preview
Kent State logo Kent State Golden Flashes at Ball State CardinalsBall State logo
Wednesday, November 5th 2025 (7:00 PM EST)
Ball State -3 (48.5) (-155)  Open: -3.0
Ball State 17 - Kent State: 13  (Mid-American)

 
Golden Flashes (5 - 7) (7 - 5 - 0)
Coach Kenni Burns (1 - 23)
Avg Score : 21 - 34 (18 - 43 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#86)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 4)
KENT coming off BYE
BALL coming off BYE
Our Line: Ball State -0.5  (SP+ KENT -3.5)

Projected Score: KENT: 25 - BALL: 25 (50)
BALL Win prob: 56% | Cover: 47%
KENT Travel: 224 miles
Cardinals (4 - 8) (7 - 5 - 0)
Coach Mike Uremovich (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 16 - 30 (24 - 22 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4 - 8 (#98)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)
 
Kent State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Kent State vs Merrimack-5.550.5W 21 - 17UN
Sat 9/6 Kent State at Texas Tech+48.560.0L 14 - 62OY
Sat 9/13 Kent State vs Buffalo+23.548.5L 28 - 31OY
Sat 9/20 Kent State at Florida State+44.556.5L 10 - 66ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Kent State at Oklahoma+46.553.5L 0 - 44UY
Sat 10/11 Kent State vs Massachusetts-1.549.5W 42 - 6UY
Sat 10/18 Kent State at Toledo+25.548.5L 10 - 45ON
Sat 10/25 Kent State vs Bowling Green+7.547.5W 24 - 21UY
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/5 Kent State at Ball State+3.048.5L 13 - 17UN
Tue 11/11 Kent State at Akron+7.549.5W 42 - 35OY
Wed 11/19 Kent State vs Central Michigan+7.550.5L 16 - 28UN
Fri 11/28 Kent State at Northern Illinois+5.045.0W 35 - 31OY

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 4
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kent State's Schedule
Ball State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Ball State at Purdue+16.550.5L 0 - 31UN
Sat 9/6 Ball State at Auburn+43.052.5L 3 - 42UY
Sat 9/13 Ball State vs New Hampshire-3.046.5W 34 - 29OY
Sat 9/20 Ball State at UConn+21.053.5L 25 - 31OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Ball State vs Ohio+14.052.5W 20 - 14UY
Sat 10/11 Ball State at Western Michigan+9.543.5L 0 - 42UN
Sat 10/18 Ball State vs Akron+2.544.5W 42 - 28OY
Sat 10/25 Ball State at Northern Illinois+6.541.5L 7 - 21UN
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/5 Ball State vs Kent State-3.048.5W 17 - 13UY
Sat 11/15 Ball State vs Eastern Michigan+2.548.5L 9 - 24UN
Sat 11/22 Ball State at Toledo+29.545.5L 9 - 38OY
Sat 11/29 Ball State at Miami (OH)+16.540.5L 24 - 45ON

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 5
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 3
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 2

Predictions for Ball State's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
KENT#131 (.01)30% (134)21.333% (132)2.57 (128)7829% (134)1552.89 (130)#133 (.35)50% (131)33.650% (123)51% (130)4.34 (115)35.71.70.9
BALL#98 (.14)42% (78)15.844% (70)3.06 (61)10341% (72)2453.94 (65)#128 (.32)46% (118)29.846% (103)47% (121)4.81 (133)45.31.21.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
KENT0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
BALL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KENT Offense1221.317.730.5%2.891.713233781552.447%51%33%29%28%.01
BALL Defense1229.821.646.5%4.811.3 - - - - - 47%52%46%47%13%.32
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KENT Defense1233.642.950.1%4.340.9 - - - - - 55%45%50%51%12%.35
BALL Offense1215.824.442.1%3.941.2203481032453.442%58%44%41%19%.14

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Kent State1226:5212.919%38%4.835.71.70.94.71.5027.2
Ball State1230:5820.342%46%4.945.31.21.34.61.7230.3
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
KENT Offense1247% (91)33% (132)32.377.52.43 (134)-.07 (132)2.57 (128)61% (123)19% (134)0.95 (72)
BALL Defense1247% (34)46% (103) - - - - .22 (116)3.17 (90)74% (72)9% (103)1.08 (110)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
KENT Defense1255% (113)50% (123) - - - - .3 (132)3.58 (133)81% (115)8% (111)1.13 (122)
BALL Offense1242% (120)44% (70)30.8103.43.410 (122).1 (91)3.06 (61)80% (23)11% (99)0.87 (117)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KENT Offense1251% (54)29% (134)11.624.5155.46.313.418 (68)13 (103).14 (109)2.1 (2)41% (134)19% (134).11 (132)8% (128)2.7 (1)
BALL Defense1252% (100)47% (121) - - - - - - 8 (93).44 (128)1.8 (119)33% (55)40% (133).57 (131)5% (115)2.2 (115)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KENT Defense1245% (25)51% (130) - - - - - - 4 (125).41 (126)1.5 (23)28% (124)38% (127).42 (109)4% (127)1.8 (15)
BALL Offense1258% (16)41% (72)23.336.6244.76.710.526 (26)11 (72).19 (98)1.6 (73)33% (93)28% (101).29 (88)8% (123)2.2 (15)

Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -19.68  #129
Kent State's Offense Rating: 2.18  #128
Kent State's Defense Rating: 21.86  #120
2025 Talent Rating: 516.00  #115
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #101
Kent State's 2025 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Kent State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -19.3  #130
Kent State's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.0  #125
Kent State's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.9  #120

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 571
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -19.68   Ball State: -19.115

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -19.3   Ball State: -23.0




Ball State's Power Ratings
Ball State's Power Rating: -19.115  #131
Ball State's Offense Rating: -1.10  #136
Ball State's Defense Rating: 19.13  #98
2025 Talent Rating: 588.00  #97
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #88
Ball State's 2025 Expected Record: 4.0 - 8.0
Ball State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -23.0  #132
Ball State's Offense SP+ Rating: 13.4  #134
Ball State's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.4  #115

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 571
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Kent State Scoring
Offense: 21.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 17.7
Defense: 33.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 42.9

Kent State's 2025 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 7 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record on Road: 2 - 5
Record vs Spread on Road: 4 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 6 - 4 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 4 - 3 - 0
Projected Score
Ball State 25
Kent State 25


Projected Total Points: 50
Ball State Scoring
Offense: 15.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 24.4
Defense: 29.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 21.6

Ball State's 2025 Record
Record: 4 - 8
Record vs Spread: 7 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 7
Record at home: 4 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 1 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/05Ball State17Kent State13Ball State -3Ball State48.5Under
202410/12Kent State35Ball State37Ball State -3Kent State58.0Over
202311/18Ball State34Kent State3Ball State -10.5Ball State41.5Under
202211/01Kent State20Ball State27Kent State -7Ball State61.5Under
201911/23Kent State41Ball State38Ball State -3Kent State67.5Over
201809/29Ball State52Kent State24Ball State -7Ball State62.0Over
201310/12Ball State27Kent State24Ball State -11Kent State0
201209/29Kent State45Ball State43
201010/30Kent State33Ball State14
200809/27Ball State41Kent State20
200611/24Ball State30Kent State6
200310/04Kent State17Ball State34
200111/10Ball State18Kent State31
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Ball State943 Overs
Kent State433 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams9 - 45 - 23 - 22 - 0
Road Teams4 - 92 - 50 - 22 - 3

(#129) KENT at (#131) BALL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatKENTBALL
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #129 #131
SP+SP+ #130 #132
Perf GradeGrade #128 #133
OffenseOff #119 #133
DefenseDef #126 #123
Spec TeamsST #116 #120
TalentTal #115 #97
Blue ChipsBC% #101 #88
Kent State Notes
(11/28) Beat NIU to finish 4-3. Incredible job by Mark Carney
(11/5) Coaching malpractice by Carney vs Ball St
(11/5) Blew game vs Ball St. Coaching & stupidity
(10/31) Huge W over BG, but BG had no one at QB
(10/31) WR Cade Wolford a name to know, 26.3 ypc, 6 TD
(10/31) QB Deshields can play, just so bad on OL/DL
(10/30) Mark Carney interim no more, permanent HC
(9/13) Off much improved vs Buffalo. Impressive
(9/10) Two QB system w/ Deshields and Montes. Meh
(9/6) Physically does not look like FBS level ball
(8/30) QB DeShields/Montes meh, Run Off awful
(4/11) HC Burns fired, OC Carney Int HC for '25
Kent State Injury Report
Ball State Notes
(11/5) Uremovich outcoached Carney in Kent St win
(10/31) OL is worst in MAC, DL bad as well. QB Kelly bad
(10/19) Off is awful, RB Qua Ashley is it. W over Ohio baffling
(10/8) Run Def has improved since paycheck games
(8/30) Off abysmal vs Purdue, Run Def good, Pass not
(7/12) OL has size, low key good starting 5 if healthy
(7/12) Overall portal loser both talent & quantity
(3/30) RB rebuild. 2 portals, Ashley (KSU) explosive
(3/26) QB Taylor (CU) via portal. No exp'd options
(3/26) WR rebuild, must like depth only 1 FCS portal
(3/26) OL was OK LY, 2/5 back. Some depth, 1 portal
(3/26) Def awful LY, replace most. 8 portals, 6 DBs
Ball State Injury Report
Kent State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffBALL Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #119 #123
SuccessSuc #134 #118
ExplosiveExp #1 #126
PPAPPA #131 #128
PowerPwr #128 #98
SP+SP+ #125 #115
Pts POPPO #130 #133
HavocHav #134 #116
Kent State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffBALL Def
Run GameRun #128 #125
Run SuccessRSuc #132 #103
Run ExplRExp #72 #110
PPAExp #132 #116
Run BlockR Blk #96 -
OL YdsOLY #128 #90
Stuff RateStuff #126 #77
TackleTak -  #117
Kent State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffBALL Def
Pass GamePass #108 #134
Pass SuccessPSuc #134 #121
Pass ExplPExl #2 #119
PPAExp #109 #128
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #136 #21
F7 HavocF7 #134 #103
DB HavocDB #128 #115
Ball State on Offense
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatBALL OffKENT Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #133 #126
SuccessSuc #78 #131
ExplosiveExp #81 #79
PPAPPA #98 #133
PowerPwr #136 #120
SP+SP+ #134 #120
Pts POPPO #65 #115
HavocHav #119 #127
Ball State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
BALL OffKENT Def
Run GameRun #130 #122
Run SuccessRSuc #70 #123
Run ExplRExp #117 #122
PPAExp #91 #132
Run BlockR Blk #106 -
OL YdsOLY #61 #133
Stuff RateStuff #8 #133
TackleTak -  #98
Ball State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatBALL OffKENT Def
Pass GamePass #132 #132
Pass SuccessPSuc #72 #130
Pass ExplPExl #73 #23
PPAExp #98 #126
Pass Block/RushP Blk #108 #58
F7 HavocF7 #99 #111
DB HavocDB #123 #127
Program Comparison
BALL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'25 Profile: Remains Poor G5

KENT 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'25 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Scheumann Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 46° - Wind: 9 mph
Rematch from Week 11
Ball State -3.0 (48.5)
Ball State won vs Kent State this year (17-13)

Previous Matchups
Ball State beat Kent State last year (17-13)
Ball State beat Kent State in 2024 (37-35)
Ball State beat Kent State in 2023 (34-3)

  
KENT's OC Mark Carney (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dru Deshields13624057%20301838.5
CJ Montes (Tr)101953%140117.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Gavin Garcia14664734.445
Jordan Nubin (Tr)7925313.225
Jahzae Kimbrough399702.512
Cade Wolford129718.131
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Cade Wolford19509726.879
Dashawn Martin33507415.475
Wayne Harris35383110.942
Ardell Banks12205217.138

View Kent State's Full Roster

KENT's DC Kody Morgan (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mason Woods9411231
CJ Young898323
Joel Cordoba662011
Jaire Rawlison522106
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jamond Mathis (Tr)288663
CJ Young898323
Jelani Davis (Tr)244340
Mason Woods9411231
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaire Rawlison522106
Terrell Miller301006
Jamond Mathis (Tr)288663

BALL's OC Mike Uremovich (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kiael Kelly15327256%15601085.7
Ty Robinson2367%770025.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kiael Kelly21160852.956
Qua Ashley (Tr)11854744.672
TJ Horton6018003.013
Eric Weatherly (Tr)1311709.022
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Qian Magwood19320116.853
Donovan Hamilton (Tr)20244012.247
Eric Weatherly (Tr)2923818.235
Koby Gross (Tr)10141114.142

View Ball State's Full Roster

BALL's DC Jeff Knowles (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Alfred Chea (Tr)594015
Nathan Voorhis49161020
Michael Gravely Jr. (Tr)441001
Joey Stemler442021
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nathan Voorhis49161020
DeJuan Echoles276422
Drew Hughes272210
Darin Conley244221
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Willizhuan Yates320006
Alfred Chea (Tr)594015
Jahmad Harmon242005