Ball State CardinalsBall State
vs 
Northwestern WildcatsNorthwestern
Ryan Field
BTN · Line Northwestern -37.0 · Total 52.5
BTN · Line Northwestern -37.0 · Total 52.5
Live scoreboard
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State | - | - | - | - | 0 |
| Northwestern | - | - | - | - | 0 |
Scoring by quarter
Average points per quarter, 2026 season
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 6.6 | 19.2 |
| Northwestern | 6.0 | 7.8 | 8.8 | 10.5 | 33.1 |
| Ball State | Qtr | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2 | Q1 | 6.0 |
| 4.0 | Q2 | 7.8 |
| 4.4 | Q3 | 8.8 |
| 6.6 | Q4 | 10.5 |
| 19.2 | Game | 33.1 |
Live play by play
Scoring plays: this game · Updating as the game goes.
Touchdown Interception Fumble Sack Penalty
Rivalry highlights
Series record
0-1
Ball State first, 1 meeting since 2015
Series leader
Northwestern
Northwestern lead 0-1 in 1 meeting since 2015
Widest recent margin
5 points
Ball State 19-24 Northwestern, 2015
Tightest recent margin
5 points
Ball State 19-24 Northwestern, 2015
Highest recent total
43 points
Ball State 19-24 Northwestern, 2015
Key players by position
| Ball State | Pos | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Keldric Luster | QB | Aidan Chiles |
| TJ Horton | RB | Caleb Komolafe |
 Donovan Hamilton | WR | Griffin Wilde |
| Tate Hoover | TE | Luke Dehnicke |
| Maverick Gracio | DL | Brendan Flakes |
| Cincear Lewis | LB | Kobie McKinzie |
| Sterling Smith | DB | Robert Fitzgerald |
Each side's leader at the position this season, by real production. Full rosters live on each team hub.
Head to head
Full rivalry page Ball State 0 1 meeting since 2015 1 Northwestern
Northwestern lead 0-1 in 1 meeting since 2015 Series leader: Northwestern.
Team stats, this game
Ball StateNorthwesternTeam stats, 2026 season
Ball StateNorthwestern 19.28th Points per game 7th33.0
37.813th Points allowed 8th16.8
297.610th Total yards per game 7th437.8
5.07th Yards per play 5th6.9
123.48th Rush yards per game 4th212.8
174.26th Pass yards per game 14th225.0
16.69th First downs per game 10th21.5
28.8%13th Third-down rate 10th41.3%
-16th Turnover margin 4th+5
48th Takeaways 7th7
512th Sacks 15th6
1110th Sacks allowed 12th8
63.29th Penalty yards per game 12th64.0
27:5813th Time of possession 10th31:01
Rank within each team's conference. 2026 season totals to date from CollegeFootballData.
Win probability
--10050100
1st2nd3rd4th
Current drive Game leaders
BALL NU Box score
Ball State: last 15 games
5-10 in the last 15 · 18.9 scored · 31.6 allowed
WON 34-29 scored 34 · allowed 29 See game LOST 25-31 scored 25 · allowed 31 See game WON 20-14 scored 20 · allowed 14 See game LOST 0-42 scored 0 · allowed 42 See game WON 42-28 scored 42 · allowed 28 See game LOST 7-21 scored 7 · allowed 21 See game WON 17-13 scored 17 · allowed 13 See game LOST 9-24 scored 9 · allowed 24 See game LOST 9-38 scored 9 · allowed 38 See game LOST 24-45 scored 24 · allowed 45 See game LOST 3-56 scored 3 · allowed 56 See game WON 41-17 scored 41 · allowed 17 See game LOST 15-51 scored 15 · allowed 51 See game LOST 13-26 scored 13 · allowed 26 See game LOST 24-39 scored 24 · allowed 39 See game
Northwestern: last 15 games
9-6 in the last 15 · 26.1 scored · 19.7 allowed
LOST 14-34 scored 14 · allowed 34 See game WON 17-14 scored 17 · allowed 14 See game WON 42-7 scored 42 · allowed 7 See game WON 22-21 scored 22 · allowed 21 See game WON 19-0 scored 19 · allowed 0 See game LOST 21-28 scored 21 · allowed 28 See game LOST 17-38 scored 17 · allowed 38 See game LOST 22-24 scored 22 · allowed 24 See game WON 38-35 scored 38 · allowed 35 See game LOST 13-20 scored 13 · allowed 20 See game WON 34-7 scored 34 · allowed 7 See game WON 34-18 scored 34 · allowed 18 See game WON 41-7 scored 41 · allowed 7 See game LOST 23-29 scored 23 · allowed 29 See game WON 34-13 scored 34 · allowed 13 See game
The matchup
| Ball State | Split | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | 2026 record | 3-1 |
| 96 | Points for | 132 |
| 189 | Points against | 67 |
| L3 | Form | W1 |
Recent meetings
2015
Ball State 19 : 24 Northwestern
19 : 24 Northwestern How to watch
TVBTN
Streamingthe FOX Sports app
Betting line
Spread Northwestern -37.0
Total 52.5
21+. Lines move, we timestamp them.
Total 52.5
21+. Lines move, we timestamp them.
Make your pick
vs
Ball State · QB Keldric Luster Pass yards
662
Pass TD
5
Comp-Att
76-119
INT
3
Horton rush
302 yds
Hamilton rec
220 yds
Northwestern · QB Aidan Chiles Pass yards
900
Pass TD
6
Comp-Att
63-89
INT
0
Komolafe rush
290 yds
Wilde rec
281 yds
6 Keldric Luster QB 9 Tyler Mizzell QB 13 Khalel Wright QB 16 Mason Atkins QB 18 Bodie Derrer QB 0 Elijah Jackson RB 2 Jalen Bonds RB 4 TJ Horton RB 20 Johnny Thompson Jr. RB 21 Anthony McMullen Jr. RB 25 Char'Rese Breveard RB 1 Donovan Hamilton WR 3 Corey Thompson Jr. WR 5 Jabari Smith Jr. WR 7 CJ Nelson WR 10 Jamarion McDougle WR 11 Isaiah Thacker WR 14 Elisha Durham WR 15 Tayshon Bardo WR 80 Derion Talbert WR 82 TJ Byard WR 83 Eli Hohlt WR 85 Ace Cooper WR 86 DJ Young WR 8 Mason Riggins TE 12 Alex Scherle TE 41 Zach Becker TE 42 AJ Seymour TE 44 Lucas Andresen TE 81 Leo Collins TE 84 Tate Hoover TE 87 Cole Coonrod TE 89 Sean Ward TE 54 Evan Downer OL 55 Michael Varon OL 56 Jacob Jeudy OL 57 Nolan Cicero OL 60 Blake Scriber OL 61 Luke Dalton OL 62 Sam Spicer OL 63 Maxwell Wentz OL 65 Ryan Eldridge OL 66 Chris Hood OL 67 Jackson Ruess OL 68 Grant Haworth OL 70 Tristan Cook OL 71 Brady Barrowman OL 72 Brady Weber OL 73 Cole Mosier OL 75 Zach Bandy OL 76 CJ Zeltwanger OL 77 Misael Sandoval OL 78 Kaden Mayle OL 79 Zion Haney OL 3 George Okorie DE 7 Ben Marsh DE 10 Austin Stief DE 39 Maverick Gracio DE 91 Jamar Birden DE 51 CJ Sanchez DT 52 Michael Thacker DT 54 Spencer Vaka DT 55 Dominic Infelise DT 56 Ameir Glenn DT 57 
Reese Hill DT 74 Khristian Zachary DT 90 Lincoln Mason DT 93 Mason Holbrook DT 94 Ka'Shawn Thomas DT 95 Keilan Smith DT 96 Joshua Coleman DT 97 Myles Hancock DT 99 Kendrick Gilbert DT 6 Cincear Lewis LB 9 Justin Thomas LB 15 Jovan Clark LB 16 Kaleb Stewart LB 25 Mikeah Webster LB 26 Lucas Szymborski LB 27 Gavin Forsha LB 31 
Jared Badie LB 36 Cole Mynett LB 40 Gannon Knowles LB 42 Layton Starks LB 48 Sam Feeney LB 50 Carsen Burckhardt LB 0 Derek Fields DB 1 Sterling Smith DB 2 Tobi Adewoyin DB 4 Willizhuan Yates DB 5 
Chris Jackson DB 8 Avery Stuart DB 11 Donovan Lanier DB 12 Deondre Shepherd DB 13 Kamron Chamble DB 14 Anthony Pinnace DB 17 Kamari Williams DB 18 Cedric Franklin II DB 19 Zyon Hill DB 20 Sebastian Moore DB 21 
Dianté Griffin DB 22 Gavin Yates-Lyons DB 23 Jordan Suggs DB 24 Gabe Aramboles DB 28 Stone Perkins DB 29 Micah Lillard DB 33 Quentavius Scandrett DB 35 Drew Bostic DB 38 Jayden Bernavil DB 45 Cole Earlewine DB 37 Hudson Fiene PK 38 Brody Boehm PK 98 Carson Holmer PK 19 Lachlan Mathieson P 92 Cole Stumbaugh P 34 Coby Tripp LS 45 Caden Britton LS
Donovan Hamilton WR 3 Corey Thompson Jr. WR 5 Jabari Smith Jr. WR 7 CJ Nelson WR 10 Jamarion McDougle WR 11 Isaiah Thacker WR 14 Elisha Durham WR 15 Tayshon Bardo WR 80 Derion Talbert WR 82 TJ Byard WR 83 Eli Hohlt WR 85 Ace Cooper WR 86 DJ Young WR 8 Mason Riggins TE 12 Alex Scherle TE 41 Zach Becker TE 42 AJ Seymour TE 44 Lucas Andresen TE 81 Leo Collins TE 84 Tate Hoover TE 87 Cole Coonrod TE 89 Sean Ward TE 54 Evan Downer OL 55 Michael Varon OL 56 Jacob Jeudy OL 57 Nolan Cicero OL 60 Blake Scriber OL 61 Luke Dalton OL 62 Sam Spicer OL 63 Maxwell Wentz OL 65 Ryan Eldridge OL 66 Chris Hood OL 67 Jackson Ruess OL 68 Grant Haworth OL 70 Tristan Cook OL 71 Brady Barrowman OL 72 Brady Weber OL 73 Cole Mosier OL 75 Zach Bandy OL 76 CJ Zeltwanger OL 77 Misael Sandoval OL 78 Kaden Mayle OL 79 Zion Haney OL 3 George Okorie DE 7 Ben Marsh DE 10 Austin Stief DE 39 Maverick Gracio DE 91 Jamar Birden DE 51 CJ Sanchez DT 52 Michael Thacker DT 54 Spencer Vaka DT 55 Dominic Infelise DT 56 Ameir Glenn DT 57 Reese Hill DT 74 Khristian Zachary DT 90 Lincoln Mason DT 93 Mason Holbrook DT 94 Ka'Shawn Thomas DT 95 Keilan Smith DT 96 Joshua Coleman DT 97 Myles Hancock DT 99 Kendrick Gilbert DT 6 Cincear Lewis LB 9 Justin Thomas LB 15 Jovan Clark LB 16 Kaleb Stewart LB 25 Mikeah Webster LB 26 Lucas Szymborski LB 27 Gavin Forsha LB 31 Jared Badie LB 36 Cole Mynett LB 40 Gannon Knowles LB 42 Layton Starks LB 48 Sam Feeney LB 50 Carsen Burckhardt LB 0 Derek Fields DB 1 Sterling Smith DB 2 Tobi Adewoyin DB 4 Willizhuan Yates DB 5 Chris Jackson DB 8 Avery Stuart DB 11 Donovan Lanier DB 12 Deondre Shepherd DB 13 Kamron Chamble DB 14 Anthony Pinnace DB 17 Kamari Williams DB 18 Cedric Franklin II DB 19 Zyon Hill DB 20 Sebastian Moore DB 21 Dianté Griffin DB 22 Gavin Yates-Lyons DB 23 Jordan Suggs DB 24 Gabe Aramboles DB 28 Stone Perkins DB 29 Micah Lillard DB 33 Quentavius Scandrett DB 35 Drew Bostic DB 38 Jayden Bernavil DB 45 Cole Earlewine DB 37 Hudson Fiene PK 38 Brody Boehm PK 98 Carson Holmer PK 19 Lachlan Mathieson P 92 Cole Stumbaugh P 34 Coby Tripp LS 45 Caden Britton LS 0 Aidan Chiles QB 2 
Ryan Boe QB 4 
Nicco Marchiol QB 9 
Johnny O'Brien QB 11 
Aidan Gray QB 13 
Gavin Frakes QB 15 
Sean Winton QB 5 Caleb Komolafe RB 6 
Joseph Himon II RB 7 
Mar'Kel Porter RB 12 
Marcus Romain RB 22 
Daniel Anderson RB 27 
Gavin Sawchuk RB 36 
Sean Morris II RB 3 
Frank Covey IV WR 8 
Hayden Eligon II WR 10 
Ricky Ahumaraeze WR 11 
Keaton Reinke WR 14 
Dube Enongene WR 16 
Brennan Saxe WR 17 Griffin Wilde WR 18 
Camp Magee WR 19 
Drew Wagner WR 20 
Chase Farrell WR 80 
Braden Blueitt WR 82 
Jaden McDuffie WR 87 
Carson Grove WR 89 
Cam Russell WR 41 
Robby Preckel TE 43 
Noah LaPorte TE 48 
Tyler Kielmeyer TE 81 
Chris Petrucci TE 83 
Blake Van Buren TE 84 Luke Dehnicke TE 85 
Tom McGlinchey TE 86 
Alex Honig TE 50 
Owen Fors OL 52 
Angelo De Sensi OL 60 
Hayden Flavin OL 61 
David Anchondo OL 62 
Ezomo Oratokhai OL 64 
Anthony Birsa OL 65 
Jackson Carsello OL 66 
Owen Jakubczak OL 67 
Jace Borcherding OL 68 
Quinn Wicklow OL 69 
Patrick Schaller OL 70 
Leighton Burbach OL 71 
Dennis Rahouski OL 72 
Jack Fuchs OL 73 
Deuce McGuire OL 74 
Grant Seagren OL 75 
Arkel Anugwom OL 76 
Michael O'Connell OL 77 
Idrys Cotton OL 78 
Trey Boyd OL 79 
Jacob Miller OL 5 
Dominic Kirks DL 15 Brendan Flakes DL 24 
Jamaal Johnson DL 44 
Callen Campbell DL 47 
Michael Kilbane DL 52 
Calvin Lorek DL 53 
Tanner Jumpp DL 54 
Tyler Gant DL 55 
Dylan Roberts DL 56 
Tre Hoskins DL 57 
Nick Costa DL 58 
Ronald Derrick III DL 63 
Nick Zalewski DL 88 
Migo Jackson DL 90 
Jack Trautmann DL 91 
Caden O'Rourke DL 92 
Mason Green DL 93 
Glory Stephen-Wangboje DL 94 
Gage LaDere DL 95 
Mason Mayne DL 96 
Jonah Hayes DL 97 
Braxton Strong DL 98 
Landon Lauter DL 99 
Troy Regovich DL 2 Kobie McKinzie LB 32 
Matthew Smith LB 33 
Braydon Brus LB 34 
Payton Roth LB 37 
Max Mohring LB 38 
Josh Veldman LB 39 
Parker Maiers LB 40 
Jason Reynolds II LB 42 
Nigel Glover LB 45 
Jack Sadowsky V LB 46 
Lincoln Creager LB 49 
Amare Jordan LB 50 
Qayvier Johnson LB 51 
Miles Crutchley LB 0 
Alijah Jones DB 3 
Brenden Deasfernandes DB 4 
Montae Pate DB 6 Robert Fitzgerald DB 7 
Ore Adeyi DB 9 
Braden Turner DB 11 
Seth Valeri DB 12 
Gabe Davis-Ray DB 13 
Josh Fussell DB 16 
J.J. Lewis DB 17 
Jaden Vaughn DB 21 
Damon Walters DB 22 
Terrion Curry-Hicks DB 23 
Cole Shivers DB 25 
Marquet Dorsey Jr. DB 26 
Jalen Lewis DB 27 
Jack Oyola DB 28 
Timi Oke DB 29 
Jon Jon Stevens Jr. DB 31 
Tito Williams Jr. DB 35 
Sean Martin DB 36 
Nate Dawson DB 90 
Jackson Kleather PK 94 
Henry Helms PK 98 
Noah Sur PK 92 
Nikola Dugandzic P 95 
Marko Dubak P 59 
Jack Florentine LS 60 
Evan Boutorwick LS
Aidan Chiles QB 2 Ryan Boe QB 4 Nicco Marchiol QB 9 Johnny O'Brien QB 11 Aidan Gray QB 13 Gavin Frakes QB 15 Sean Winton QB 5 Caleb Komolafe RB 6 Joseph Himon II RB 7 Mar'Kel Porter RB 12 Marcus Romain RB 22 Daniel Anderson RB 27 Gavin Sawchuk RB 36 Sean Morris II RB 3 Frank Covey IV WR 8 Hayden Eligon II WR 10 Ricky Ahumaraeze WR 11 Keaton Reinke WR 14 Dube Enongene WR 16 Brennan Saxe WR 17 Griffin Wilde WR 18 Camp Magee WR 19 Drew Wagner WR 20 Chase Farrell WR 80 Braden Blueitt WR 82 Jaden McDuffie WR 87 Carson Grove WR 89 Cam Russell WR 41 Robby Preckel TE 43 Noah LaPorte TE 48 Tyler Kielmeyer TE 81 Chris Petrucci TE 83 Blake Van Buren TE 84 Luke Dehnicke TE 85 Tom McGlinchey TE 86 Alex Honig TE 50 Owen Fors OL 52 Angelo De Sensi OL 60 Hayden Flavin OL 61 David Anchondo OL 62 Ezomo Oratokhai OL 64 Anthony Birsa OL 65 Jackson Carsello OL 66 Owen Jakubczak OL 67 Jace Borcherding OL 68 Quinn Wicklow OL 69 Patrick Schaller OL 70 Leighton Burbach OL 71 Dennis Rahouski OL 72 Jack Fuchs OL 73 Deuce McGuire OL 74 Grant Seagren OL 75 Arkel Anugwom OL 76 Michael O'Connell OL 77 Idrys Cotton OL 78 Trey Boyd OL 79 Jacob Miller OL 5 Dominic Kirks DL 15 Brendan Flakes DL 24 Jamaal Johnson DL 44 Callen Campbell DL 47 Michael Kilbane DL 52 Calvin Lorek DL 53 Tanner Jumpp DL 54 Tyler Gant DL 55 Dylan Roberts DL 56 Tre Hoskins DL 57 Nick Costa DL 58 Ronald Derrick III DL 63 Nick Zalewski DL 88 Migo Jackson DL 90 Jack Trautmann DL 91 Caden O'Rourke DL 92 Mason Green DL 93 Glory Stephen-Wangboje DL 94 Gage LaDere DL 95 Mason Mayne DL 96 Jonah Hayes DL 97 Braxton Strong DL 98 Landon Lauter DL 99 Troy Regovich DL 2 Kobie McKinzie LB 32 Matthew Smith LB 33 Braydon Brus LB 34 Payton Roth LB 37 Max Mohring LB 38 Josh Veldman LB 39 Parker Maiers LB 40 Jason Reynolds II LB 42 Nigel Glover LB 45 Jack Sadowsky V LB 46 Lincoln Creager LB 49 Amare Jordan LB 50 Qayvier Johnson LB 51 Miles Crutchley LB 0 Alijah Jones DB 3 Brenden Deasfernandes DB 4 Montae Pate DB 6 Robert Fitzgerald DB 7 Ore Adeyi DB 9 Braden Turner DB 11 Seth Valeri DB 12 Gabe Davis-Ray DB 13 Josh Fussell DB 16 J.J. Lewis DB 17 Jaden Vaughn DB 21 Damon Walters DB 22 Terrion Curry-Hicks DB 23 Cole Shivers DB 25 Marquet Dorsey Jr. DB 26 Jalen Lewis DB 27 Jack Oyola DB 28 Timi Oke DB 29 Jon Jon Stevens Jr. DB 31 Tito Williams Jr. DB 35 Sean Martin DB 36 Nate Dawson DB 90 Jackson Kleather PK 94 Henry Helms PK 98 Noah Sur PK 92 Nikola Dugandzic P 95 Marko Dubak P 59 Jack Florentine LS 60 Evan Boutorwick LS Next up
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Completed results from CollegeFootballData via the CFB Data Hub
How to watch Ball State vs Northwestern
Ball State Cardinals vs Northwestern Wildcats, 12:30 PM ET at Ryan Field on October 10, 2026.
- TV The game is scheduled for BTN at 12:30 PM ET.
- Streaming It streams on the FOX Sports app.
- Live updates Live score, play-by-play and match player stats for Ball State vs Northwestern update on this page.
Ball State vs Northwestern: preview and how to watch
Ball State Cardinals vs Northwestern Wildcats kicks off 12:30 PM ET at Ryan Field on October 10, 2026. This Big Ten game page carries the live score on gameday, betting line, TV channel and player stats once it kicks off, alongside the Ball State and Northwestern team hubs, the match center, the schedule and the live standings. For the wider grudge history between these teams, see the Big Ten rivalry pages.
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Frequently asked questions
What channel is Ball State vs Northwestern on?
Ball State Cardinals vs Northwestern Wildcats is scheduled for BTN, 12:30 PM ET.
What is the line for Ball State vs Northwestern?
The current line for Ball State Cardinals vs Northwestern Wildcats is Northwestern -37.0, with a total of 52.5. Odds are entertainment only, 21+.
When does Ball State play Northwestern?
Kickoff for Ball State vs Northwestern is 12:30 PM ET at Ryan Field, on October 10, 2026.