Ball State Cardinals defeat Sacramento State Hornets 34-17: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Sat, Oct 24, 2026 · NCAAF · Sacramento State Hornets 17, Ball State Cardinals 34
The Ball State Cardinals beat the Sacramento State Hornets 34-17 on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Scheumann Stadium. The Ball State Cardinals covered the spread as 14.5-point favorites. The game went under the closing total of 51.5, with 51 points combined. AiQ's moneyline pick in this game won.
Sacramento State Hornets vs. Ball State Cardinals final score and game recap
The Sacramento State Hornets led 3-0 after the first quarter. The Ball State Cardinals won the second quarter 20-7 to lead 20-10 at halftime. They outscored the Sacramento State Hornets 14-7 in the second half.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- Jackson Sharman (Sacramento State Hornets): 17/27 passing for 187 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.
- Jace Wilson (Sacramento State Hornets): 3 catches for 89 yards, 1 receiving touchdown.
- Keldric Luster (Ball State Cardinals): 14/27 passing for 234 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions.
- Keldric Luster (Ball State Cardinals): 10 carries for 68 yards, 1 rushing touchdown.
Who covered the spread in Sacramento State Hornets vs. Ball State Cardinals?
The Ball State Cardinals covered the spread as 14.5-point favorites, winning by 17 points.
The spread opened and closed at Ball State Cardinals -14.5.
Did Sacramento State Hornets vs. Ball State Cardinals go over or under the total?
The game went under: 51 points combined against a closing total of 51.5, under by 0.5. 30 of the 51 points came in the first half.
The total opened and closed at 51.5.
How did AiQ's Sacramento State Hornets vs. Ball State Cardinals predictions do?
AiQ's moneyline pick in this game won.
- Moneyline: the Ball State Cardinals to win at -600, a win (+$16.67 on a $100 bet).
Sacramento State Hornets vs. Ball State Cardinals game prop results: team totals, first quarter and first half
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- Ball State Cardinals team total 33.5: the over, paying -111, with 34 scored.
- First-quarter total 10.5: the under, paying -135, with 3 points scored.
- First-half moneyline: Ball State Cardinals won the first half, paying -440.
- First-half total 26.5: the over, paying -120, with 30 points scored.
- Sacramento State Hornets team total 17.5: the under, paying -120, with 17 scored.
- First-quarter moneyline: Sacramento State Hornets won the first quarter, paying +240.
- First-half spread: Ball State Cardinals -7.5 covered, paying -112.
Sacramento State Hornets vs. Ball State Cardinals odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the Sacramento State Hornets at +450 and the Ball State Cardinals at -625. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the Ball State Cardinals a 83% favorite. The Ball State Cardinals won as the favorite at -625: $16 profit on a $100 bet. On AiQ's moneyline pick, the Ball State Cardinals, the price before the game was -600: priced near fair (−0.4% value).
Sacramento State Hornets and Ball State Cardinals betting trends: 2026 season
This result left the Sacramento State Hornets 1-7 in the 2026 regular season (1-3 at home, 0-4 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 2 of 8 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 3 times and under 5 times. That made it six straight losses for the Sacramento State Hornets.
This result left the Ball State Cardinals 3-5 in the 2026 regular season (2-1 at home, 1-4 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 4 of 7 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 5 times and under 2 times. That made it two straight wins for the Ball State Cardinals.
What's next for Sacramento State Hornets and Ball State Cardinals?
Next for the Sacramento State Hornets: the Kent State Golden Flashes at home on Friday, October 30, 2026. Next for the Ball State Cardinals: at the Massachusetts Minutemen on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.