The Ball State University Cardinals (5-5, 3-3 MAC) welcome the Ohio University Bobcats (7-3, 5-1 MAC) at Scheumann Stadium on Tuesday for a matchup that pits one of the Mid-American Conference’s toughest passing defenses against its strongest aerial offense.
Ohio is coming off an impressive 37-21 win over Miami (OH) at Fred C. Yager Stadium last Tuesday, their fifth straight victory. Kurtis Rourke threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns. Sieh Bangura ran 20 times for 145 yards and a touchdown.
Miles Cross caught six passes for 133 yards.Ball State lost 28-21 to Toledo at Glass Bowl last Tuesday. John Paddock was 13 of 35 for 94 yards and an interception. Carson Steele carried 28 times for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Brady Hunt caught four receptions for 56 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since October 2019, a 34-21 win for the Bobcats.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Bobcats are averaging 33.8 points per game for the season, 31st in FBS, and they are facing a Cardinals defense that has surrendered 27.3 PPG (77th). Meanwhile, Ball State has scored 24.4 points a game this season, 93rd in the country, and Ohio is allowing 32.0 PPG (113th).
The Bobcats rank as one of the country’s top teams in passing yards per game (314.7, 13th), while they are 92nd in rushing yards (129.5). The Cardinals are 49th in passing yards allowed per game (217.3) and 110th against the run (184.4).
Ball State is 68th in the nation in passing yards per game (232.1) and 65th in rushing (153.8). Ohio’s defense has been most beatable through the air, as the Bobcats are worst in the country in passing yards allowed per game (316.2). Against the run, the Bobcats are 71st (148.8).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through 10 games, Kurtis Rourke has thrown for 24 touchdowns (4 INT) and 308.7 yards per game to lead Ohio in passing. In five away games this season, he has six TDs (3 INT) and an average of 252.2 yards passing. Sieh Bangura leads the team in rushing with an average of 80.0 yards a game over eight games. He has eight touchdowns on the ground.
Sam Wiglusz is the Bobcats’ leading receiver with 71.4 yards a game and nine TDs. John Paddock has 16 passing touchdowns (11 INT) with 232.1 yards per game through 10 games to lead Ball State. In five home games this season, he has thrown for 10 TDs (6 INT) and an average of 251.2 yards.
Carson Steele has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 129.5 yards a game through 10 games. He has 13 total touchdowns, 12 rushing and one receiving. Jayshon Jackson has been a key target in the Cardinals’ aerial attack. He has three touchdowns and a 75.5 yard per game average through 10 appearances.
SportsTips’ College Foottball Pick:
Ohio (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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