Peden Stadium -- Athens, OH
Visiting Ball State, meanwhile, is coming off a stinging loss at Eastern Michigan and is 2-2 in MAC play (3-5 overall). However, head coach Mike Neu’s team has some big playmakers, especially on offense. That will be a challenge for Ohio, which ranks ninth in scoring defense and 10th in overall defense.
Of course, Ohio has its own potent offense. That unit is third among MAC teams in scoring and second in total offense. With quarterback Nathan Roarke’s dual threat capabilities, opposing defense have their work cut out for them, especially when Roarke gets on a roll. Overall, he tops the conference in total offense (283.6 ypg) and is fourth in rushing (70.3 ypg). At the same time, he leads the league in pass efficiency.
Ball State is lower middle-of-the-pack in defending the run (8th -- 192.2 ypg) and pass (7th 213.6 ypg). The Cardinals are 8th in total defense (405.9 ypg).
Both teams shine on third down. Ball State ranks first in conversions with 47.2 percent, while Ohio is right behind at 43.9 percent.
This is the first meeting between the two teams since 2015 and just the fifth meeting at Ohio since 1995.
BALL STATE CARDINALS -- 3-5 (2-2 MAC)
➤➤ There are nine seniors on the Ball State roster -- second fewest among all FBS teams.
➤➤ Ball State is in the middle of playing three games in 12 days.
➤➤ Ball State trailed 28-6 midway through the third quarter before falling to Eastern Michigan 42-20 last Saturday.
➤➤ Freshman RB Will Jones registered Ball State’s longest offensive play of the year last week when he ripped off an 80-yard touchdown run. It was his only carry of the game, but allowed him to lead Cardinal rushers.
As a team, BSU totaled 227 yard on the ground.
➤➤ QB Riley Neal completed 21 of 39 attempts for 157 yards with one TD and one interception against EMU. He also ran 13 times for a total of 77 yards with one score.
➤➤ Ball State was flagged nine times for 108 yards against the Eagles.
➤➤ Ohio trailed 7-0 and the game was tied at 14 before OU scored the final 35 points in a 49-14 win over Bowling Green last week.
➤➤ The win over BG was a bounce-back win after Ohio lost at Northern Illinois the previous week.
➤➤ senior Maleek Irons is second among MAC rushers, averaging 74.2 ypg. QB Nathan Rourke is fourth (70.4 ypg).
➤➤ The Bobcats amassed 392 yards yards rushing against BG.
➤➤ LB Evan Croutch notched five tackles and one interception last week. Senior Tyler Gullet let the defense with nine stops.
➤➤ WR Papi White enters Thursday’s matchup with Ball State ranked 20th in the NCAA and second in the MAC with six receiving touchdowns. His 632 receiving yards rank 23rd in the country and are third in the MAC, while his 90.3 receiving yards per game rank 18th in the country and second in the MAC.
➤➤ Kicker Louie Zervos Has converted all 35 PAT attempts and eight of nine field goals, with a long of 47.