The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Ball State – INSIDE SLANT
Ball State coach Pete Lembo liked what he saw of his football team Oct. 20 when it defeated Central Michigan 41-30 on the road. But he reminded his players that there is plenty of work still to do as it tries to win enough games this year to be considered for a bowl invitation.
The Cardinals are 5-3 with four games remaining in the regular season. After posting a 6-6 record a year ago and being one of two eligible teams in the nation to be passed over for a bowl bid, they know winning six games doesn’t guarantee anything.
That’s why Lembo reminded players that being ahead by double digits throughout the second half against Central Michigan was nice, but they can’t relax at any point in any game.
“No, not 1 percent,” Lembo said. “That’s what I keep telling our players, you’ve got to play 60 minutes and it’s never over.”
But the Cardinals are getting closer to a complete performance, something they haven’t had all season.
“Closer, closer,” Lembo said. “Couple hiccups, couple penalties I wasn’t very happy about. But this was closer.”
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NCAAF Team Report – Ball State – NOTES, QUOTES
WHAT’S AHEAD: Ball State will play at Army on Oct. 27, and a victory will make it bowl eligible for the second consecutive season. The Black Knights’ triple-option offense will be a major challenge for the Cardinals’ defense, mostly because it’s a scheme they don’t see on a regular basis.
TB Barrington Scott moved up from No. 3 on the depth chart to No. 2 Oct. 20 at Central Michigan when backup Horactio Banks missed the game with a knee injury. Scott, the starter last year until suffering a broken leg, rushed 25 times for 99 yards against the Chippewas.
The Cardinals’ turned in a proficient effort on offense against Central Michigan, but not without some issues. Penalties, a problem that has crept in during recent games, and two turnovers kept the game closer than it should have in the first half.
KEEP AN EYE ON: TB Jahwan Edwards — The sophomore is finding his rhythm during the second half of the season. He rushed for a game-high 128 yards on 21 carries against the Chippewas to lead Ball State to 233 yards on the ground. He’s rushed for more than 100 yards in two straight games.
LOOKING GOOD: Ball State showed outstanding balance against Central Michigan, passing for 231 yards and rushing for 233 (third best this season). The Cardinals have surpassed 200 yards on the ground in four of their eight games.
STILL NEEDS WORK: The Cardinals’ defense has shown progress the past three games, but the unit still needs to become better. Ball State gave up 30 points to Central Michigan and allowed 446 yards and a couple of touchdowns late in the game.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We just take what the defense gives us, man. That’s what we basically do. I don’t want to call it balanced or a throwing team or a rushing team. We just take what the defense gives us.” — Ball State TB Barrington Scott on the balance of his team’s offense.
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NCAAF Team Report – Ball State – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER NOTES:
–QB Keith Wenning passed for three touchdowns Oct. 20 against Central Michigan. He has at least three passing TDs in 10 career games. He has 15 TD passes this year, four shy of his total in 2011.
–Backup TB Barrington Scott rushed for 99 yards and scored one touchdown running and one TD receiving against the Chippewas.
–DT Nathan Ollie made a sack on Central Michigan QB Ryan Radcliff in the second quarter. Ollie forced a fumble on the play.
ROSTER REPORT
–C Dan Manick is the latest Ball State offensive lineman to suffer an injury. He sprained an ankle in the first half Oct. 20 at Central Michigan and was carted off the field. Jacob Richard came in and played well in place of Manick.
–OT Cam Lowry missed the game with a concussion. He was replaced by Matthew Page.
–OG Kitt O’Brien returned to the starting lineup after playing two games as a backup. He has battled a sprained ankle.
–Backup TB Horactio Banks missed the game against the Chippewas with a knee injury.
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