Game notes
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Time and date: Saturday, November 29 at 12:00 p.m. ET
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Network: CBS Sports Network
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Location: Yager Stadium — Oxford, OH
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Spread: Miami (OH) (-17.5)
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All-time series: Miami (OH) leads, 24-13-1
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Last meeting: Miami (OH) 27, Ball State 21 — November 5, 2024
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Current streak: Miami (OH), 5 (2020-24)
Setting the scene
It’s rivalry week, and a trophy is on the line in Oxford, OH. The trophy is somewhat newly commissioned, making its first appearance just eight years ago in 2017. But when the Ball State Cardinals and Miami RedHawks clash, it’s now fully understood that the Red Bird Rivalry Trophy is on the line.
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Since the trophy’s debut, Miami has possessed it seven of eight times, with Ball State getting its lone opportunity in 2019. This specific meeting Saturday in Oxford has essential meaning to Miami, because the RedHawks are hunting more than just the Red Bird Rivalry Trophy — they want a MAC championship.
In order to qualify for a third-straight MAC title game, Miami simply needs to win — regardless of the Toledo vs. Central Michigan outcome. A win gives the RedHawks three-way tiebreakers over Ohio and Toledo and over Ohio and Central Michigan due to superior record vs. common opponents. By beating Ball State, Miami plays Western Michigan in Detroit for the MAC Championship.
Ball State Cardinals outlook
Ball State (4-7, 3-4 MAC) missed its opportunity at bowl eligibility, dropping consecutive matchups to Eastern Michigan and Toledo, ultimately ensuring the season wraps up in November. The Cardinals still have a shot to finish .500 in conference play for the first time since 2021, but they’ll need to pick up the offense in order to get there.
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Mike Uremovich’s team scored single-digits in three of its last four games and has only eclipsed 20 points once in conference play. Ball State ranks 133rd in scoring offense, 134th in total offense, and 132nd in passing offense. The Cardinals prefer to get things done on the ground, but starting running back Qua Ashley has been out since Nov. 5, limiting the teams’ options offensively.
If Ashley is unable to go, expect involvement from freshman Jalen Bonds as Ball State looks to find its running back of the future. Bonds was heavily involved against Toledo, producing 112 yards from scrimmage as a bright spot in an otherwise difficult loss. Also leading the charge on the ground will be mobile quarterback Kiael Kelly, who leads the team with 547 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Ball State is at its best when Kelly runs free, and the team prefers to keep things on the ground, as the quarterback has only surpassed 190 yards passing once in 2025.
Even with Ball State’s lack of offensive output, its defense has pulled its weight to several wins this year, upsetting reigning champ Ohio 20-14 and knocking off Kent State 17-13. There are five players in the FBS with 11 sacks or more, and one lines up in Cardinal colors. Nathan Voorhis disrupted offensive lines all season, and he’ll look for a spectacular senior sendoff on the road.
Despite all of Voorhis’ backfield havoc, the Cardinals struggled to force turnovers for much of the season, but they’ve been more fortunate lately. Cornerback Joedrick Lewis recorded an interception in three-straight games, and he’ll aim to extend that streak as the Cardinals look to stun another 2024 MAC Championship Game participant in Uremovich’s first year.
Miami (OH) RedHawks outlook
Miami (6-5, 5-2 MAC) may not produce the best non-conference results, but when the RedHawks are playing in November, you can guarantee there is a lot at stake. Chuck Martin built a juggernaut accustomed to thriving in this critical month, faring 7-1 in conference play in each of the previous two seasons to punch tickets to Detroit.
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This year, Miami is on the verge of doing it again, and the RedHawks are doing it with a completely different cast of characters from last year. All 11 offensive starters changed, and Miami even lost one of the most stable parts of the offense in quarterback Dequan Finn. Finn is no longer on the roster, causing the RedHawks to make a late-season shift at the all-important position. Henry Hesson was the starter, but Martin switched to redshirt freshman Thomas Gotkowski early on in the Buffalo game, and Gotkowski shined in his first legitimate opportunity with 185 passing yards, 26 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns.
Assisting the young quarterback is running back Jordan Brunson, who leads a highly physical backfield that has progressed favorably with time. Brunson attained a season-high 123 rushing yards last week, while his counterpart D’Shawntae Jones is the short-yardage touchdown machine that completes the backfield.
Miami still has an element of explosiveness to it, and that comes in the form of Kam Perry. The big play receiver averages 24.3 yards per reception, regularly burning defenses on streaks, posts, and double moves. Cole Weaver is another rising standout in the receiving corps, collecting 80 yards in three of his last four games as Miami’s offense prepares for its annual pilgrimage to Ford Field.
As sharp as Miami’s offense is at times — such as its 37-point outing vs. Buffalo — defense remains the signature of this team. The RedHawks missed star linebacker Corban Hondru due to injury in that Buffalo game, and they hope to return him for senior day. Still, there’s plenty of likely All-MAC talent to go around this defense, and at every level.
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Adam Trick remains a tricky player to solve for offensive lines, contributing 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. Then on the back end, the safety tandem of Silas Walters and Eli Blakey combine for five interceptions and 15 pass breakups, guiding the FBS’s 32nd-ranked total defense.
Prediction
Ball State’s offense vs. Miami’s defense is an incredibly difficult matchup for the Cardinals. The RedHawks are sharp in limiting the run and containing mobile quarterbacks, which doesn’t exactly bode well for the upset-hungry Cardinals. The RedHawks’ offense can get in a funk at times, and that could occur with a young quarterback taking over the unit. But the defense’s firepower and ability to force turnovers will provide Thomas Gotkowski and Co. enough opportunities to collect a low-scoring win and seal a spot in Detroit.
Prediction: Miami (OH) 23, Ball State 10
Published Date : 2025-11-29 07:29:00
Source : sports.yahoo.com
