What Is 2014 Ball State Cardinals football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Ball State Cardinals football team represented Ball State University during the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7–6 record under head coach Pete Lembo. They played in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division and earned a bowl berth in the GoDaddy Bowl.

Key Facts

Finished with a 7–6 overall record and 5–3 in MAC play
Coached by Pete Lembo in his fourth season at Ball State
Played in the GoDaddy Bowl against Arkansas State on January 5, 2015
Lost the GoDaddy Bowl 45–10, finishing the season on a three-game losing streak
Quarterback Keith Wenning graduated after the 2013 season, leading to a transition year at QB

Overview

The 2014 Ball State Cardinals football team represented Ball State University in the 2014 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. Led by head coach Pete Lembo in his fourth year, the team competed in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division and finished with a 7–6 overall record, including a 5–3 conference mark.

Despite high expectations following a 10-win 2013 season, the 2014 campaign saw a transition year, especially at quarterback, after the departure of Keith Wenning. The team qualified for a bowl game but struggled down the stretch, losing their final three games, including a lopsided defeat in the GoDaddy Bowl.

Record: The Cardinals finished the season with a 7–6 overall record and a 5–3 mark in MAC play, placing second in the West Division.
Head Coach: Pete Lembo led the team in his fourth season, compiling a 7–6 record in 2014 and a 30–31 overall record during his Ball State tenure.
Home Stadium: The team played its home games at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana, which has a seating capacity of approximately 22,500.
Key Departure: Quarterback Keith Wenning, a four-year starter, graduated after 2013, leaving a significant void at the position.
Bowl Appearance: The Cardinals earned a berth in the GoDaddy Bowl on January 5, 2015, facing Arkansas State in St. Petersburg, Florida.

How It Works

The 2014 season reflected Ball State’s attempt to maintain momentum after a successful 2013 campaign while navigating key personnel changes. The team’s structure, coaching decisions, and game strategy shaped its performance across the 13-game season.

Quarterback Rotation:Joe Nowicki and Dustin Hopkins split time early, but James Morgan emerged later; the lack of a consistent starter hurt offensive rhythm.
Offensive Scheme: The team ran a spread offense averaging 26.8 points per game, down from 31.6 in 2013, reflecting offensive regression.
Defensive Performance: The defense allowed 28.5 points per game, a notable increase from 2013, struggling especially in the final quarter of games.
Special Teams: Punter Jamie Bryant averaged 42.1 yards per punt, providing solid field position, though coverage units allowed big returns.
Key Injuries: Starting running back Horactio Banks missed time due to injury, disrupting the rushing attack that averaged 164.2 yards per game.
Turnover Margin: The team finished with a -6 turnover margin, losing the ball 18 times compared to forcing only 12 takeaways.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2014 season to prior years highlights performance trends and regression in key areas.

Season	Overall Record	MAC Record	Points Per Game	Bowl Result
2012	9–4	6–2	28.7	Lost Beef O'Brady Bowl
2013	10–3	7–1	31.6	Lost GoDaddy Bowl
2014	7–6	5–3	26.8	Lost GoDaddy Bowl 45–10
2015	3–9	2–6	18.1	No bowl
2016	5–7	4–4	21.4	No bowl

The decline from 2013 to 2014 marked the beginning of a downward trend for Ball State football. Losing key seniors and failing to develop consistent quarterback play contributed to reduced scoring and increased defensive vulnerability. The 2014 season served as a transitional year before further struggles in subsequent seasons.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season is significant as a turning point in Ball State’s football trajectory, illustrating the challenges of sustaining success after losing cornerstone players. It highlighted the importance of quarterback development and depth in maintaining competitive balance.

Program Momentum: The 7–6 record broke a streak of improving seasons, signaling potential instability under Pete Lembo’s leadership.
Recruiting Impact: The inability to replace Keith Wenning effectively exposed flaws in the quarterback pipeline and recruiting strategy.
Coaching Evaluation: The season raised questions about offensive play-calling and in-game adjustments, contributing to Lembo’s departure after 2015.
Bowl Game Exposure: Despite the loss, the GoDaddy Bowl appearance provided national visibility and experience for younger players.
Player Development: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, laying groundwork for future roles despite the team’s on-field struggles.
Conference Competitiveness: The season underscored the parity in the MAC, where small roster changes could significantly impact win-loss records.

Ultimately, the 2014 Ball State Cardinals season serves as a case study in the volatility of college football programs reliant on a few key players. While not a failure, it marked the end of a peak period and foreshadowed the challenges ahead.