In a season impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cardinals played to a 5–1 record in a limited regular-season schedule. The team then defeated Buffalo in the conference championship game. The season ended with a victory over San Jose State in the Arizona Bowl for the first bowl game victory in program history.[2]
^Wells, Adam (September 25, 2020). "MAC Approves 6-Game College Football Schedule Beginning November 4". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
^"Cardinals Finish Memorable 2020 With Arizona Bowl Win". ballstatesports.com. December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
^Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
^Singelais, Mark (July 16, 2020). "Reports: CAA football won't play this fall". Times Union. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
^"Iowa State replaces Iowa with Ball State on schedule as Big 12 aims to play 12-game season in 2020". CBSSPORTS.com. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
^"Mid-American Conference Announces Resumption of Football". ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
^"Game 1 Preview: Cardinals Set to Defend Red Bird Rivalry Trophy at Miami". ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
^"2020 Ball State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
^"Game Notes (11/4/20 at Miami)" (PDF). ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
^"EMU vs. Ball State scoring summary" (PDF). ballstatesports.com. Ball State Athletics. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
^"Game Notes (11/11/20 Eastern Michigan)" (PDF). ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
^"NIU vs. Ball State scoring summary" (PDF). ballstatesports.com. Ball State Athletics. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
^"Game Notes (11/18/20 Northern Illinois)" (PDF). ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
^"Football vs Toledo box score". ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
^"Game Notes (11/28/20 Northern Illinois)" (PDF). ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
^"Football vs Central Michigan box score". ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
^"Game Notes (12/5/20 Central Michigan)" (PDF). ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
^"Football vs Western Michigan box score". ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
^"Western Michigan preview" (PDF). ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
^"Buffalo summary". ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
^"Arizona Bowl box score". ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
^"BSU Arizona Bowl notes" (PDF). ballstatesports.com. Ball State University Athletics. Retrieved February 14, 2021.