Ball State Cardinals News

How Backup QBs Are Impacting The Success Or Demise Of College Football Teams

Across college football, many teams have turned to their backup quarterback. Here's how it's impacting their seasons.

2 DAYS AGO • FOX SPORTS

How Backup QBs Are Impacting The Success Or Demise Of College Football Teams

TJ Horton - Scores twice in win Horton accrued 16 rushes for 81 yards and two touchdowns and hauled in his only target for 12 yards during Saturday's 32-31 overtime victory against Bowling Green.

Impact Horton registered his second multi-touchdown effort of the season during Saturday's narrow win over the Falcons. The running back scored on an eight-yard run in the second to extend the lead and later ran in a one-yard touchdown that set up the Cardinals' game-winning two-point conversion. The Kentucky native has 59 carries for 392 yards and seven touchdowns this campaign.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Keldric Luster - Totals 320 scrimmage yards in win Luster completed 16 of 24 passes for 195 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 32-31 overtime win against Bowling Green. He also had 17 rushes for 125 yards with one touchdown.

Impact While completing 66.7 percent of his 24 passes, Luster led the team in rushing with a season-high 125 yards on the ground. The quarterback crossed the goal line on a 28-yard run, his first rushing touchdown of the campaign, in the third to take the lead. Later, the Texas native connected with Eli Hohlt on a 20-yard pass in the end zone to tie the game as time expired in regulation. In six games, Luster has 1,066 passing yards, 189 rushing yards, eight total touchdowns and four interceptions.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jabari Smith - Doesn't play Saturday Smith (undisclosed) did not play in Saturday's 32-31 win over Bowling Green.

Impact Smith missed his second game of the campaign due to an undisclosed issue. Prior to his absence, the wide receiver was emerging as a reliable pass catcher for the offense, recording 13 receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown across his previous two contests. His next opportunity to suit up is against Sacramento State this Saturday.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Luster throws 2-point conversion in OT to give Ball State a wild 32-31 win over Bowling Green

Keldric Luster found Alex Scherle for a 2-point conversion to lift Ball State to a dramatic 32-31 overtime win over Bowling Green

5 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Mason Riggins - Will not play vs. Bowling Green Riggins (undisclosed) is listed out ahead of Saturday's game against Bowling Green, per the MAC availability report.

Impact Riggins will miss back-to-back games as he works his way back form an undisclosed injury. He will aim to be available for the team's next meeting against Sacramento State on Oct. 24.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ace Cooper - Questionable vs. Bowling Green Cooper is listed questionable ahead of Saturday's game against Bowling Green.

Impact Cooper popped up on the injury report with an undisclosed injury and could miss his first game of the season. More news regarding the freshman wide receiver's status should surface closer to kickoff.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Bonds - Ready to rock Saturday Bonds (undisclosed) is good to go for Saturday's game versus Bowling Green, per the MAC availability report.

Impact Bonds was unable to give it a go in either of the last two contests, leaving the Cardinals down some major firepower in the backfield. Fortunately, the sophomore is in the clear to rejoin the action Saturday and will aim to get back on track against Bowling Green. He enters the day with 234 carries for 126 yards and a pair of touchdowns to his name, adding eight catches for 93 yards and another score.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Isaiah Thacker - Cleared to play Saturday Thacker (undisclosed) is in the clear for Saturday's game versus Bowling Green, per the MAC availability report.

Impact Thacker was deemed questionable leading up to the matchup as he dealt with an undisclosed but appears to be ready to go. The redshirt junior wide receiver has totaled 13 receptions for 112 yards this season. d

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Donovan Hamilton - Questionable for Saturday Hamilton (undisclosed) holds a questionable tag for Saturday's game versus Bowling Green, per the MAC availability report.

Impact Hamilton popped up on the availability report and is now questionable for this contest as he tends to an undisclosed injury. More news regarding his status should surface closer to kickoff. The redshirt sophomore has reeled in at least 50 receiving yards in each of his last three outings.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Georgia seizes the No. 1 spot atop the AP Top 25 as Oklahoma upsets Texas

Georgia is back on top of the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2024 after a hard-fought 20-17 win over Alabama

OCTOBER 11 • Associated Press

TJ Horton - Scores in defeat Horton totaled six carries for 10 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 45-14 defeat to Northwestern.

Impact Horton recorded his fifth score of the campaign during Saturday's blowout loss to the Wildcats. The running back scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter to cut the lead. The Kentucky native has 43 carries for 311 yards and five touchdowns this season.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Keldric Luster - Struggles in defeat Saturday Luster was 27-for-41 passing for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Saturday's 45-14 defeat to Northwestern. He also had seven rushes for 10 yards.

Impact Luster attempted a season-high 41 passes during Saturday's blowout loss to the Wildcats. The quarterback completed 65.9 percent of his 41 passes, but only for 5.1 yards per completion. The Texas native has 871 passing yards, 64 rushing yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions so far this season.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Ball State Cardinals vs Northwestern Wildcats Highlights 🏈 FOX College Football

OCTOBER 10 • FOX SPORTS

How to watch Ball State vs Northwestern: Live stream NCAA College Football, TV channel The Northwestern Wildcats (3-1) take a break from the Big Ten grind on Saturday as they host the Ball State Cardinals (1-4) at the new Ryan...

OCTOBER 10 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Mason Riggins - Out Saturday Riggins (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's game at Northwestern, per the MAC availability report.

Impact Riggins won't suit up Saturday as he deals with an undisclosed injury. He has appeared in four of five games this season but has not received a target.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Isaiah Thacker - Out Saturday Thacker (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's game at Northwestern, per the MAC availability report.

Impact Thacker will miss his second straight game Saturday as he continues to deal with an undisclosed injury. He will hope to make his return to the field next Saturday at Bowling Green.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Bonds - Out for Week 6 Bonds (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's game at Northwestern.

Impact Unfortunately for Bonds, he will be unable to lead Ball State's running back room as the team tries to upset a Power Conference school in its last non-conference game this season. The running back would have looked to redeem himself after struggling in Week 1 at Ohio State, though not playing well against one of college football's top defenses on the road is forgivable. Bonds' next chance to play is Oct. 17 at Bowling Green.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

No. 3 Notre Dame looks to extend school-record double-digit win margin streak when it hosts Stanford

No. 3 Notre Dame has emerged as a model of consistency in this ever-changing college football world

OCTOBER 8 • Associated Press

Donovan Hamilton - Leading receiver in loss Hamilton posted six receptions (on nine targets) for 70 yards during Saturday's 39-24 loss versus Toledo.

Impact Hamilton averaged 11.7 yards per reception on six catches Saturday against Toledo. The wide receiver posted his second consecutive game with at least six receptions. The Indiana native has 20 catches for 220 yards and one touchdown this season.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Bonds - Ends up not playing Saturday Bonds (undisclosed) did not play during Saturday's 39-24 loss to Toledo.

Impact Bonds missed his first game of the season after being listed as questionable before kickoff. Once healthy, the running back will look to build on his season totals of 24 carries for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Miller and Walendzak combine for nearly 300 yards rushing, lead Toledo to 39-24 win over Ball State

CJ Miller and Connor Walendzak combine for 299 yards rushing and three touchdowns to lead Toledo to a 39-24 victory over Ball State

OCTOBER 3 • Associated Press

Jabari Smith - Scores second TD of season Smith had six catches for 60 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 39-24 defeat to Toledo.

Impact After failing to record a catch in his previous two games, Smith caught six passes from Keldric Luster, including a touchdown, in Saturday's loss. The wide receiver hauled in a 33-yard pass that crossed the goal line in the fourth quarter to cut the lead. The Florida native has 12 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns this year.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

TJ Horton - Records rushing TD in loss Horton recorded nine carries for 90 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 39-24 defeat versus Toledo.

Impact After posting just three rushing yards last week, Horton led the Cardinals in rushing yards (90) Saturday against Toledo. The running back found the end zone on a 66-yard run in the third quarter to cut the lead. The Kentucky native has 37 carries for 301 yards and four touchdowns this season.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Keldric Luster - Throws two TDs in loss Luster was 21-for-33 passing for 224 yards, two touchdowns and one interception during Saturday's 39-24 defeat to Toledo.

Impact Despite the loss, Luster scored his first two touchdowns since Sept. 12 against Stony Brook. The quarterback found Alex Scherle in the end zone early in the first quarter and later completed a 33-yard pass to Jabari Smith, who crossed the goal line in the fourth. The Texas native has 662 passing yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions so far.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

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How Backup QBs Are Impacting The Success Or Demise Of College Football Teams

Luster throws 2-point conversion in OT to give Ball State a wild 32-31 win over Bowling Green

Georgia seizes the No. 1 spot atop the AP Top 25 as Oklahoma upsets Texas

Ball State Cardinals vs Northwestern Wildcats Highlights 🏈 FOX College Football

No. 3 Notre Dame looks to extend school-record double-digit win margin streak when it hosts Stanford

Miller and Walendzak combine for nearly 300 yards rushing, lead Toledo to 39-24 win over Ball State