What Is 2013 Ball State Cardinals football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Ball State Cardinals football team represented Ball State University in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 10-3 record under head coach Pete Lembo. They won the Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division title and played in the GoDaddy Bowl, where they lost to Arkansas State 39-31.

Key Facts

The 2013 Ball State Cardinals finished the season with a 10-3 overall record
Head coach Pete Lembo led the team to its first MAC West Division title since 2008
Quarterback Keith Wenning threw for 3,465 yards and 27 touchdowns during the season
The Cardinals defeated rival Northern Illinois in a key November 20 matchup
Ball State lost to Arkansas State 39-31 in the 2014 GoDaddy Bowl on January 6, 2014

Overview

The 2013 Ball State Cardinals football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), specifically the West Division. Under the leadership of head coach Pete Lembo, the team achieved a 10-3 overall record, marking one of the most successful seasons in program history in over a decade.

The Cardinals demonstrated consistent offensive performance and strong conference play, culminating in a share of the MAC West Division title. Their season included a dramatic victory over Northern Illinois, a program that had dominated the division in previous years, and earned them a berth in the GoDaddy Bowl.

Record: The team finished with a 10-3 overall record, including a 7-1 mark in MAC conference play, showcasing dominance within their division.
Division Title: Ball State claimed the MAC West Division championship for the first time since 2008, sharing the title with Northern Illinois.
Head Coach:Pete Lembo, in his third season, led the team to its first 10-win season since 1996 and was recognized as a finalist for national coaching awards.
Key Victory: A 41-39 win over Northern Illinois on November 20, 2013, was pivotal in securing the division title and ended NIU's 16-game conference win streak.
Bowl Game: The Cardinals played in the 2014 GoDaddy Bowl on January 6, 2014, losing 39-31 to Arkansas State in Mobile, Alabama.

Key Players and Performance

The 2013 season was defined by standout individual performances, particularly on offense, where Ball State ranked among the MAC leaders in multiple statistical categories. The team relied heavily on a high-powered passing attack and a balanced rushing game, allowing them to compete with top-tier conference opponents.

Keith Wenning: The senior quarterback threw for 3,465 yards and 27 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions, earning First-Team All-MAC honors.
Jordan Williams: A key wide receiver, Williams recorded 73 receptions for 1,033 yards and 8 touchdowns, becoming Wenning’s top target.
Keith Towbridge: The running back contributed 714 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, providing a reliable ground attack.
Defensive Standout: Linebacker Jamill Moquette led the defense with 108 total tackles, 13.5 for loss, and 5.5 sacks, earning All-MAC recognition.
Kicker:Steven Schott made 19 of 23 field goal attempts, including a long of 50 yards, providing crucial scoring in tight games.
Team Stats: Ball State averaged 34.5 points per game and 439.2 total yards per game, ranking among the top offenses in the MAC.

Comparison at a Glance

Ball State’s 2013 season performance compared favorably to recent years and peer programs in the MAC, particularly in terms of win total and offensive production.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Division Finish	Bowl Result
2013	10-3	7-1	Tied 1st (MAC West)	Lost GoDaddy Bowl (39-31)
2012	6-6	5-3	3rd (MAC West)	Did not qualify
2011	6-6	4-4	4th (MAC West)	Lost Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl (31-28)
2010	2-10	1-7	5th (MAC West)	N/A
2008	9-5	7-1	1st (MAC West)	Lost GMAC Bowl (20-17 OT)

The 2013 campaign represented a significant turnaround from the struggling seasons of the late 2000s. With a 10-win season and a division title, Ball State returned to national relevance, though the narrow bowl loss prevented a perfect finish. The team’s offensive consistency and defensive improvements under Lembo signaled a program on the rise.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a landmark year for Ball State football, symbolizing a resurgence after years of inconsistency and rebuilding. It elevated the profile of the program and demonstrated that sustained success was possible within the competitive MAC landscape.

The 10-win season was Ball State’s first since 1996, marking a major milestone for the university and its fanbase.
Winning the MAC West title re-established Ball State as a contender in a conference dominated by teams like Northern Illinois.
The season helped boost enrollment and athletic fundraising at Ball State University, showcasing the value of a successful football program.
Head coach Pete Lembo’s performance led to increased national recognition, and he remained a sought-after coaching candidate in subsequent years.
The game against Northern Illinois was one of the most-watched college football games on ESPN2 that season, highlighting growing interest.
The 2013 season laid the foundation for future recruiting success, with Ball State attracting higher-rated prospects in the following years.

Ultimately, the 2013 Ball State Cardinals left a lasting legacy by proving that strategic coaching, player development, and conference focus could yield significant results even at mid-major programs.