Venue & Game Details
Location: Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
Weather Forecast: ~61°F at kickoff, partly cloudy, winds 7–10 mph,
Team Recent Form
Akron Zips:
Last game: Lost 20–7 to Miami (OH).
Trend: Offense averaging 16.7 PPG (129th nationally), defense allowing 29.0 PPG (101st).
Ball State Cardinals:
Last game: Lost 42–0 to Western Michigan.
Trend: Offense averaging 13.7 PPG (134th nationally), defense allowing 31.5 PPG (118th).
Injury Report
Akron: QB Ben Finley – Healthy (1,157 yards, 8 TDs, 4 INTs); RB Jordan Gant – Probable (511 yards, 3 TDs).
Ball State: QB Kiael Kelly – Healthy (725 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs); RB Qua Ashley – Probable (333 yards, 3 TDs).
Key Player Matchups
QB Ben Finley (Akron): 1,157 yards, 8 TDs, 4 INTs – must protect the ball.
RB Jordan Gant (Akron): 511 yards, 3 TDs – faces Ball State’s 109th-ranked rush defense.
WR Kyan Mason (Akron): 318 yards, 2 TDs – top receiving option.
QB Kiael Kelly (Ball State): 725 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs, 60.3% completion.
RB Qua Ashley (Ball State): 333 yards, 3 TDs – physical runner.
WR Qian Magwood (Ball State): 200 yards, 1 TD – possession receiver.
Series History
Ball State leads the all-time series 15–10–1.
Last meeting (2024): Akron won 31–27.
Akron has covered the spread in 3 straight meetings.
Betting Trends
Ball State is 4-2 ATS this season.
Akron is 3-4 ATS.
Akron has lost 17 straight games as a road underdog.
Ball State has covered in 10 of last 11 home games.
Historical Betting Results
Akron has covered in each of last 3 vs. Ball State.
Ball State has failed to cover in 7 of last 9 October home games.
Average combined score in last 3 meetings: 44.3 points (slightly above current O/U).
Score Projection: Ball State 24 – Akron 21
Game Odds
Akron Zips 42.5
Ball State Cardinals – 1.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 17, 2025
