Ball State (4-3, 3-0 MAC) is riding a three-game winning streak, with its most recent . . .
Ohio, meanwhile, was forced to grind out its home field win over Kent State last Saturday. That contest was tied at 31-all midway through the fourth quarter. The Bobcats managed to score two touchdowns in just over three minutes to more than offset KSU’s TD in the final minute.
At
Ball State (4-3, 3-0 MAC)
Saturday, Oct. 26 -- 2 p.m. ET
Scheumann Stadium -- Muncie, IN
ESPN+
Last year’s meeting in Athens went to Ohio by a 52-14 count, with the ‘Cats scoring all 52 points over the second and third quarters.
>> The Bobcats registered a season-high 45 points, 571 yards, and 31 first downs in the win over Kent State last week.
>> QB Nathan Rourke threw for 342 yards and became the first Ohio quarterback to surpass 300 yards in a game since Greg Windham (380 against Texas State in 2016).
>> Demontre Tuggle and Rourke combined for 169 yards, while O’Shaan Allison added another 51 as Ohio totaled 229 rushing yards (and 4 rushing TDs) against the Flashes.
>> Isiah Cox topped Bobcat receives with four catches for 115 yards and a TD. Jerome Buckner’s one reception went for 51 yards and a score. Making his first career start, redshirt freshman WR Ty Walton set career highs with four catches and 59 yards receiving.
>> Ohio recovered one of its kickoffs after booting a line-drive off a Kent State player along the front line.
>> The Bobcats rank 12 nationally and first among MAC teams with a 42.3 percent third-down conversion rate. They have actually converted at least half their third down attempts in every MAC game so far this year.
>> Ohio’s kickoff return defense is second in the MAC and fourth in the country. The punt return defense is third among MAC teams and 32nd nationally.
ABOUT BALL STATE
>> The Cardinals 52 points Saturday were the most BSU points against Toledo ever. The win snapped a five-game losing streak to UT. Ball State’s 38 first-half points were the most in an opening half since 2006.
>> Ball State has registered 10 scoring plays greater than 25 yards through seven games. Those TDs have come from seven different players.
>> Malik Dunner had two carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns last week. As a team, the Cardinals had their best rushing day of the season (374 yards).
>> Caleb Huntley needs 99 more rushing yards to reach 2,000 for his career. He has reached the 100-yard plateau in three straight games, averaging 5.1 ypc in the stretch.
>> Ball State leads the league in scoring offense (34.7 ppg) and total offense (454.4 ypg).
>> The Cardinals have registered seven sacks over the last two weeks after only getting four sacks in the first five games.
>> BSU has forced a turnover in 12 straight games (fifth longest active streak nationally).
>> Quarterback Drew Plitt ranks second among MAC passers (266.9 ypg) and is fourth in pass efficiency. Justin Hall’s 5.7 receptions per game is second among MAC receivers.