University of Massachusets Athletics
Wednesday, November 4
Amherst, Mass.
7 PM
University of Massachusetts
vs
Ball State
October 30, 2026 | Football
Minutemen host the Cardinals for a 7 p.m. game on ESPNU.
| University of Massachusetts Football Game Notes & Information | |
| Game 9 | Massachusetts (4-4, 1-3 MAC) vs. Ball State (3-5, 2-2 MAC) |
| Date | Time | Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 7 p.m. |
| Location | Amherst, Mass. | McGuirk Alumni Stadium |
| Tickets | Purchase Here |
| Series History | Series Tied, 2-2-0 Last Meeting | Oct. 31, 2015 | Muncie, Ind. | Ball State 20, Massachusetts 10 |
| Game Notes & Team Information | Massachusetts: Game Notes | Game Program | Record Book Ball State: Game Notes |
| Watch | ESPNU |
| Listen | WHMP 101.5 FM & 1400AM App: Download The Varsity Sports Network on your mobile device |
| Live Statistics | StatBroadcast |
| @UMassFootball | |
| UMass Football | |
| UMass Football | |
AMHERST, Mass. -- Massachusetts football begins MACtion on Wednesday, November 4, when the Minutemen host Ball State at McGuirk Alumni Stadium at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.
SERIES HISTORY
- Massachusetts and Ball State will be meeting for only the fifth time in series history, with the series currently tied 2-2.
- Current UMass graduate student and safety DD Snyder spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons at Ball State and played in 17 games.
- The first meeting of Massachusetts and Ball State occurred on Sep. 1, 1984, with the Minutemen prevailing 26-10.
- In 1988, Massachusetts was defeated on the road by the Cardinals with a score of 44-17 - after the week two loss, the Minutemen went on to win the Yankee Conference, ending the season with a record of 8-4.
- Leading the Minutemen to victory was Blake Frohnapfel, who threw for 424 yards on 44 passing attempts and then the Massachusetts defense also secured two interceptions by Trey Seals and Randall Jette.
- The first MAC meeting between Massachusetts and Ball State was on Nov. 12, 2014, as the Minutemen coasted past the Cardinals with a 24-10 victory.
- Wednesday night's game will mark the third time the two teams meet as MAC opponents, but he first meeting since UMass rejoined the MAC prior to the 2025 season (the other MAC meetings came in 2014 and 2015).
- Former All-American defensive back/kick returner Isaiah Rodgers (2016-19) is in his second season with the Minnesota Vikings, having previously won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2024.
- Former UMass wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James (2024) was on the Steelers' preseason roster until the final cut down day and is now a free agent.
- Former UMass running back Greg Desrosiers Jr. (2022-23) signed with the Los Angeles Chargers' practice squad for the beginning of the 2026 season and then was signed to the active roster for the New York Giants on October 28.
- Former UMass defensive back Randall Jette (2011-15) is in his second season with New York, now serving as a Specials Teams Assistant for the Jets.
- Kansas City defensive line coach Joe Cullen (1986–1989) has won a pair of Super Bowl championships since joining the Chiefs in 2022.
- Liam Coen (2004-2008) is in his second season as the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach after leading the Jaguars back to the playoffs in his first season as head coach. Coen, who served as UMass' pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2014–15, earned his first offensive coordinator position at Maine (2016–17) under head coach Joe Harasymiak.
- Defensive back Josh Wallace (2019-22) is in his third season with the Los Angeles Rams.
- Long snapper Evan Deckers (2018-21) is in his third season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson (2013-16) is in his first season back with the Arizona Cardinals after playing for them in 2023. He has also played for Denver, Chicago and Atlanta.
REMAINING SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
- Midweek MACtion: Massachusetts competes in MACtion with three Wednesday conference games – vs. Ball State (Nov. 4), at Toledo (Nov. 11) and vs. Akron (Nov. 18).
- Regular Season Finale: UMass then closes out the regular season with a Saturday game at Bowling Green on November 28 (noon).
BUILDING SUPPORT
- It was announced on Oct. 29 that Daniel J. Riccio Jr. '86, '24MS and his wife, Diane M. (Casey) Riccio, Ph.D., have committed $3 million to the Script U Scholarship Society to support the University of Massachusetts Football program.
- The Riccios have an impactful history of giving to the University, having donated $50 million to the College of Engineering to support immediate and long-term initiatives to fuel innovative research, strengthen academic excellence, and expand access and opportunity for engineering students. They have previously made a $15 million gift to UMass Chan Medical School to further expedite and support advances in neuroscience research.
- About the gift, Riccio stated: Diane and I are pleased to support UMass Football at a pivotal time for the program and UMass. We believe that a strong football program and athletics department can enhance the brand of the flagship campus – one of the finest public research universities in the country. Our commitment is an investment in the strategy that Ryan Bamford and Joe Harasymiak have established to change the culture and trajectory of Massachusetts football. We are investing now, and encouraging others to do the same, so that we may realize our full potential. The momentum and foundation for success taking hold this season is just the beginning.
- Riccio, a former leader and innovator at Apple, is providing the transformational investment to help strengthen the department's resources in support of its continued pursuit of sustained athletic excellence.
Players Mentioned
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Friday, October 23
Monday, October 19
Saturday, October 17