Live coverage of the Cardinals season opener against Missouri State

Ball State will open its 100th football season with a home game against Missouri State (0-1). The Cardinals will host the Bears on Saturday, September 7.

Ball State was the only FBS team with an off week in Week 1, so they enter Week 2 with a fresh 0-0 record, looking for a strong start against an FCS opponent. Missouri State is coming off a 29-24 Week 1 loss at Montana.

Ball State is led by ninth-year head coach and former Cardinals quarterback Mike Neu. The Cardinals are looking to return to bowl eligibility after a 4-8 season in 2023 and a 5-7 season in 2022. Meanwhile, Missouri State is led by second-year head coach Ryan Beard, who led the Bears to a 4-7 mark in 2023.

More: What channel is the Ball State vs. Missouri State football game on? Time, broadcast info for the opening

More: Ball State Football: Breaking Down the Cardinals’ New Roster as They Open at Missouri State

Kickoff is scheduled for 2 pm ET at Scheumann Stadium on Saturday. Follow along here for live game updates:

Ball State opens season with victory

Missouri State scored another touchdown to make it 42-34, but it wasn’t enough and the ball came out too late as the onside kick went out of bounds and Ball State took a knee to stop the play.

Sloan scores his second goal of the day

After another Missouri State touchdown, Sloan ran down the middle 40 yards for his second touchdown of the day in his Ball State debut. Sloan’s touchdown made it 42-27.

Semonza’s fourth TD gives Ball State a two-point lead again

Semonza found middle linebacker Tanner Koziol in the back corner of the end zone for a 5-yard pass with about 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Semonza now has four points on the play, one scored on a run and three scored on a pass.

Missouri State Closes Distance with Long TD Pass

Missouri State quarterback Jacob Clark passed the ball 57 yards to quarterback Lance Mason to make it 28-21.

Ball State bounces back after another forced fumble

Missouri State’s offense came out looking to respond, but linebacker Joey Stemler intercepted the ball. Semonza passed to Qian Magwood for a 16-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 28-14 in the fourth quarter.

Botched kick return earns Ball State more points

On the next kickoff after Gillie’s touchdown, George Udo forced a fumble by Missouri State kick returner D’Vontae Key, which was intercepted by Nick Munson. Ball State got the ball on its own 27-yard line, and after a break between the third and fourth quarters, Braedon Sloan ran 11 yards up the middle to give the Cardinals their first lead of the day.

Ball State evens score with Gillie’s long touchdown

After Semonza’s second pick-six was recovered due to a defensive holding, the Cardinals drove to the 41-yard line where they faced a fourth-and-3 on their second consecutive drive. This time, Semonza hit Malcolm Gillie on an angle, and Gillie poked through contact for a touchdown and a 14-14 tie.

Ball State fails to convert fourth down, Missouri State capitalizes

After Missouri State’s second consecutive three-and-out, Ball State began to organize its offense. The Cardinals went for a fourth-and-3 up the middle, but Semonza took a sack to set the Bears up in Ball State territory. Missouri State capitalized on a quick touchdown drive that ended with a 5-yard run by Jacardia Wright.

Defense forces another 3-and-out

The Cardinals defense forced another three-and-out, their third of the game, early in the second half.

Ball State tied with Missouri State at halftime

Ball State remains tied 7-7 with Missouri State at halftime of the Cardinals’ season opener. Ball State’s defense allowed just 62 yards on 15 plays and held the Bears to 0-of-4 on third-down conversions. The offense controlled the tempo of the game as the Cardinals had 23:27-6:33 of possession but managed just one point.

Kadin Semonza fights for first touchdown of the season

Semonza scored for the Cardinals with nine minutes left in the first half, running 15 yards for a score on third-and-goal. Courville converted the PAT to make it 7-7.

Ball State can’t convert field goal

Ball State’s third drive went deep into Bears territory, but Jackson Courville missed a 38-yard field goal wide left. The Cardinals forced a three-and-out and will look to break through on offense once again.

Ball State trails after first quarter

Ball State trails Missouri State 7-0 after the first 15 minutes. Hall’s touchdown was the only score of the quarter. Ball State was setting up for a 39-yard field goal attempt on the fourth and 6 minutes as the quarter ended.

Missouri State scores first points after interception

After both teams kicked on their opening drives, Ball State organized a drive that went past midfield. Disaster struck the Cardinals when a pass from Kadin Semonza was misdirected by backup receiver Cam Pickett into the arms of Missouri State DB P.J. Hall. Hall broke up Semonza’s drive and finished it for the Bears’ first score.

Ty Robinson entered the medical tent in the first action

On the first play of the scrimmage, the Cardinals managed to quickly get a first down, but receiver Ty Robinson remained down during the play. He was immediately taken to the medical tent, and a worker held his right wrist and arm.

Ball State receives first kickoff

The Cardinals received the ball to kick off the 100th season of Ball State football.

Ball State vs. Missouri State Football Live Score Updates

This article originally appeared in Muncie Star Press: Ball State football: Live updates, scores, highlights from Missouri State game