In 1989, the Ball State football team, led by head coach Paul Schudel, won its first MAC (Mid-American Conference) championship in program history. The Cardinals finished the regular season with a 7-4 record, including a 6-2 mark in conference play.

In the MAC championship game, Ball State defeated Toledo 34-23 to secure the conference title and earn a berth in the California Raisin Bowl. The Raisin Bowl, played in Fresno, California, pitted the MAC champion against a team from the Big West Conference.

In the bowl game, Ball State faced Fresno State, the host team and defending Raisin Bowl champion. Despite playing on Fresno State’s home field, the Cardinals were able to pull off the upset, winning the game 27-6. Quarterback Mike Neu, who would go on to become Ball State’s head coach years later, threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

The win over Fresno State in the 1989 California Raisin Bowl marked a significant milestone for the Ball State football program, as it was the team’s first ever bowl victory.