Ball State Look to Finish Strong, Buffalo Eye Bowl Eligibility
Ball State Cardinals Look to Finish Strong, Buffalo Bulls Aim for Bowl Eligibility in Crucial MACtion Showdown
This Tuesday, college football fans are in for a high-stakes battle under the lights as the Ball State Cardinals (3-6, 2-3 MAC) travel to Buffalo to take on the Buffalo Bulls (5-4, 3-2 MAC) in a must-watch MACtion contest. With both teams jockeying for postseason positioning, the Bulls are one win away from securing bowl eligibility, while the Cardinals need to finish strong to keep their slim bowl hopes alive. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EST at UB Stadium.
Ball State Cardinals: Scrapping for a Bowl Berth
The Ball State Cardinals enter this game after a tough 27-21 loss to Miami (OH) last Tuesday. In a game that was tied at 21 heading into the fourth quarter, Ball State’s offense couldn’t keep pace with the Redhawks, allowing two field goals that proved to be the difference. Despite the loss, there were individual bright spots for the Cardinals.
Tanner Koziol, the senior tight end, continued his strong season by setting a new single-season record for catches by a tight end at Ball State, adding four receptions in the game. Meanwhile, Justin Bowick exploded for a career-high 171 yards on eight catches, showcasing his big-play ability. Despite these efforts, the Cardinals’ offense struggled to sustain drives, finishing with 331 total yards, including 280 passing yards.
On defense, George Udo led the way with nine tackles, while Keionte Newson chipped in with eight tackles. However, the defense gave up 333 total yards, including 238 passing yards, highlighting their ongoing issues stopping the opposition.
Despite ranking among the worst defenses in the nation, Ball State is effective in the red zone, ranking 12th in red zone offense. But to have a chance against Buffalo, they must improve their defensive struggles—particularly against the run (127th nationally) and pass (112th).
Buffalo Bulls: One Win Away from Bowl Eligibility
For the Buffalo Bulls, this game represents a golden opportunity to clinch bowl eligibility. After a two-game losing streak, Buffalo rebounded with a critical 41-30 win at Akron. The Bulls’ defense played a pivotal role in the victory, forcing three turnovers that helped them build a 17-point halftime lead. Despite giving up 452 total yards, the defense made timely stops when needed.
Offensively, CJ Ogbonna continued to shine. The Bulls’ quarterback passed for 210 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 63 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Al-Jay Henderson also contributed to the offensive explosion, rushing for 107 yards and a touchdown. The Bulls’ offense finished the game with 390 total yards, but their defense will need to tighten up against a dangerous Ball State passing attack.
Defensively, Shaun Dolac was a standout with 12 tackles, and Kobe Stewart provided pressure with 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Despite the win, Buffalo’s defense gave up significant yardage and will need to improve against better teams in the MAC.
While the Bulls have found some success offensively, they have struggled with consistency in both the run and pass game, ranking 116th in passing and 81st in rushing. Defensively, their weakness lies in their pass defense (129th nationally), which could be a potential target for the Cardinals’ passing game.
Despite these flaws, Buffalo has been one of the most disciplined teams in the country, ranking 13th in penalties per game and 28th in turnover margin. If the Bulls can avoid mistakes and exploit Ball State’s defensive weaknesses, they could secure a win and book their ticket to a bowl game.
Conclusion
With the Bulls just one win away from bowl eligibility, expect them to come out firing on all cylinders. Ball State, on the other hand, has a much steeper hill to climb. While their offense has shown flashes of brilliance, their defense’s inability to stop the run or pass could be their undoing. Buffalo’s offensive balance and disciplined defense should allow them to keep the Cardinals at bay and secure the win they need to punch their ticket to a bowl game.
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