2026 MAC Football Week 7 Game Preview: Ball State Cardinals at Bowling Green Falcons

It was only about a month ago Bowling Green (2-4, 2-0 MAC) was coming off one of their most painful stretches in recent memory, with a painful game to FCS Tarleton State in their home opener sandwiched by three blowout losses to Power conference foes.

My, how times have changed.

The Falcons are now one of the hottest teams in the MAC, looking to win three games in a row for the first time since their magical 2015 season (when they started 6-0 in league play) and improve their bowl prospects.

In their way this weekend will be the Ball State Cardinals (1-5, 0-2 MAC), who are coming off a tough loss to Northwestern in their last non-conference game of the 2026 campaign. The Cardinals must win to have even a chance of staying alive for the postseason, making Saturday's tilt a vital contest.

Game Notes

• Date and Time: Saturday, October 17th, 2026 at 12 p.m. Eastern Time
• Location: Doyt Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio
• TV options: The game will stream exclusively on ESPN+. A valid subscription is required.
• BGSU radio: Todd Walker (play-by-play) and John Gibson (color) will provide the BGSU call for Eagle FM 99.
• Ball State radio: Mick Tidrow (play-by-play) and Chris Radican (color) will provide the Ball State call for WMUN-AM 1340.
• Gambling Considerations: BGSU sit as a 6.5-point favorite; over/under is 46.5-47.5 by book, per Covers.
• All-Time Series: BGSU leads the all-time series with a record of 23-9-1, with the Falcons on a two-game win streak (2023-24). In the last matchup, BG ran away by a final score of 38-13 in Muncie.

Ball State Outlook

Keldrick Luster will once again start for the Cardinals at quarterback. Luster is averaging 174 passing yards per game for the Cardinals, and faces a tough assignment in a Bowling Green pass defense which has allowed 132 passing yards per game against its last three opponents. 

Despite the Cardinals’ struggles to throw the ball, Luster has a well-rounded receiving corps. Four different Cardinals (Donovan Hamilton, Jamarion McDougle, Jabari Smith, and Isaiah Thacker) have at least 13 receptions this year. Hamilton leads the quartet with 22 receptions for 273 yards.

The Cardinals’ backfield also has a committee approach. TJ Horton has been efficient as the lead back, averaging 7.2 yards per carry on 43 attempts for 331 yards. Horton is a steady playmaker with five touchdowns on the season. Johnny Thompson Jr. is the Cardinals’ second option, with 31 carries for 89 yards this season. Jalen Bonds was in the mix early in the season, with 24 carries for 126 yards, but has not carried the ball since the Kent State game on September 26th.

Ball State has struggled defensively, particularly against the run. The Cardinals enter the game allowing 219 yards per game and nearly six yards per carry. EDGE rushers Justin Thomas and Ben Marsh lead this group with four and three tackles for loss, respectively.

Ball State has plenty of depth at linebacker. Kaleb Stewart leads Ball State in tackles with 37. Cincere Lewis is third on the team in tackles with 26. Gavin Forsha has 24 tackles and three tackles for loss. Layton Starks and Mikeah Webster have also caused havoc in the backfield, with 2.5 tackles for loss apiece. 

The secondary is arguably Ball State’s strongest unit. The Cardinals allow 248 yards per game through the air, but the unit is wrought with playmakers.

Safety Stu Smith leads the team in tackles with 37, while Quentavius Scandrett and Willizhuan Yates are both tied for second on the team with 26 stops. Cornerback Anthony Pinnance is a downhill playmaker who has 3.5 tackles-for-loss and three pass breakups. Safety Kameron Chamble leads the team in interceptions with two.

Punter Cole Stumbaugh has been a constant contributor in the field position battle, placing eleven of his 29 punts inside the 20. Seven have traveled over 50 yards. Kicker Brady Boehm has made four of his seven field goals, but one was over 50 yards. 

The Cardinals have returned two punts all season, but one was a 32-yard jaunt by Ace Cooper. TJ Horton handles kickoff returns, gaining 235 yards on 11 opportunities.

Bowling Green Outlook

After a 0-4 start that featured an FCS loss, the season seemed lost and Eddie George appeared destined for the hot seat. 

Bowling Green’s offense has responded in a big way since the start of MAC play, showing outstanding versatility over the past two weeks. Jay Kastantin and the passing game carried the Falcons to their upset win over Miami two weeks back, with Kastantin throwing for 305 yards to help pick up the slack for a run game that gained 62 yards. The following week against Sacramento State, the run game dominated, running for 218 yards, while the Falcons threw the ball just 17 times.

Kastantin, a former Division II starter, has finally settled in as the Falcons’ signalcaller. He has 986 passing yards and five touchdowns in the season, and had his best game running the ball last week, running for 54 non-sack rushing yards on six carries.

Tight end Jeremiah Scoby has followed in the footsteps of Harold Fannin Jr., leading the Falcons in receiving with 24 receptions for 252 yards. Winn Sharp and Brennan Ridley complement Scott on the outside as explosive outside options.

Austyn Dendy is the Falcons’ feature back. He leads Bowling Green with 271 yards and three touchdowns on 77 rushes. Dendy had his best game last week against Sacramento State with 15 carries for 86 yards and two touchdowns. He could improve upon these numbers against a poor Ball State run defense. 

Nakai Amachree is a smaller back than Dendy and contrasts with his style. Amachree has 145 yards on 42 carries.

Bowling Green’s defense is likely its strong suit, particularly its pass rush. Myles Bradley has seven sacks already and is an All-American candidate. Cashmire Lewis (four sacks) and Eriq George (3.5 sacks) are also unmistakable presences in the front seven. Dorian Pringle leads the linebacking corps for the Falcons. He has 57 tackles this season. 

Kal-El Pascal is the secondary’s best tackler with 45 stops this season, stepping up after a season-ending inury to fellow corner JoJo Johnson. Cornerback Nick Sawyer and safety Drey Braxton each have two pass breakups, with Braxton intercepting a pass.

Punter Ryan Kingston averages just over 41 yards per punt in 29 punts. He has five kicks over 50 yards. Kicker Travis Kenner has almost been automatic, making six of his seven kicks. His only miss came from beyond 50 yards.

Bowling Green has returned just three punts for 17 yards this year. The Falcons have been inefficient returning kickoffs, averaging 17.5 yards on 12 returns.

Prediction

A couple of weeks earlier, one would have thought these teams were evenly matched.

However, Bowling Green has separated itself from the MAC cellar and has momentum. The Falcons’ balanced offensive attack should have no issue moving the ball against the Cardinals, while the defense should contain Ball State’s struggling attack.

Prediction: Bowling Green 24, Ball State 10