Quarterbacks:
Ball State: Keith Wenning had an OK day vs. USF. He had no INTs, but fumbled twice, losing one. Still, he completed a high percentage of passes despite some pretty heavy pass rush. We saw what he can do vs. little pass rush in the game against Indiana.

Buffalo:
Chazz Anderson has been a bit of a lifesaver for Buffalo, whose QBs last year struggled to complete a forward pass. Anderson is a former backup at Cincinatti in his 5th season of college football. Anderson’s a mobile QB, with a decent arm.

Advantage:

Runningbacks:
Ball State: Jahwan Edwards had a nice showing vs. South Florida, despite the teams loss. Barrington Scott struggled some, and Dewayne Donnigan got in a little with mixed results. I wouldn’t be shocked if Edwards starts to slowly get a few more carries per game.

Buffalo: When you hear Brandon Oliver’s name, think MiQuale Lewis, closer to sophomore form. He’s a tiny back, he’s hard to see, he’s tough to take down, and is a bowling ball for defenses. He’s run for 100+ yards in each of his first two games.

Advantage:

Wide Receivers
Ball State: No receiver has yet to really stand out for the Cardinals. Orsbon, Gibson, and Tomlinson are all pretty similar right now in terms of stats. Coach Lembo said he needs to get the ball down field, which last year Tomlinson was very good at.

Buffalo: 6’5 Marcus Rivers will likely draw the attention of 6’2 Jason Pinkston. Rivers is a dangerous target in the red zone. Terrell Jackson is their speedier receiver, and while he hasn’t gotten a ton of opportunities to catch the ball, he’s been their punt returner aswell.

Advantage:

Offensive Line:
Ball State: The Cardinals had a great showing at OL vs. Indiana, allowing 0 sacks, and dominating the running game. USF was a different story. Rushing game was very hampered, and Wenning was under pressure all day.

Buffalo: The Bulls have allowed just 2 sacks in 2 games, and held their own for 3 quarters of the Pitt game. They’ve had a nice rushing attack as well.

Advantage:

Defensive Line:

Ball State: See offensive line. After a dominating performance after IU, the DL was pushed around most of the game. Ball State is still in a situation where they need to find sacks from other sources, as Hartke and Puthoff aren’t pass rushers.

Buffalo: The Bulls run a 3-4, so it’s tough to compare DLs. Steven Means, a Jr is a solid DE, good at applying pressure. They’ve struggled against the run, but have 5 sacks in 2 games.

Advantage:

Linebackers:
Ball State: The trio of Martin, Freeman, and Morris had more bright spots than any other area vs. USF. It wasn’t a “good” game for the unit, but had plenty of nice moments. Freeman is listed as questionable, and if he can’t go, it’ll be a big blow to BSU. Justin Cruz is his replacement, but he’s also battled injury.

Buffalo: OLB Khalil Mack is a stud. He was MAC East D POW last week, and national linebacker of the week. He’s a big body, and can play on the line when need be. But otherwise the unit’s pretty weak. They’re allowing over 200 yards per rush, which is understandable vs. Pitt, but not vs. Stony Brook.

Advantage:

Defensive Backs:
Ball State: This is the Cardinals most experienced unit. Jason Pinkston had an INT on an over thrown ball, and Sean Baker was a one man wrecking crew vs. UB last year when he had 2 INTs and a fumble recovery for a TD.

Buffalo: UBs corners are Frosh and Soph, and one is a WR turned CB. The safeties have more experience, but they lost their top safety from last season.

Advantage:

Special Teams:
Ball State: Kovanda had a 57 yard punt vs. IU and a 55 yard punt vs. USF. The kickoff coverage game has pretty good as well. Orsbon will remain the returner, and while he likely won’t take one back, he’s as sure handed as anyone on the team.

Buffalo: Peter Fardun is 1/2 kicking this season, with his miss coming from the 40-49 yard range. Their problem comes from their punting game. Schum has really struggled punting, so much so that they’ve thought about making Fardun punt instead. Schum is sitting at 38 ypp.

Advantage:

TOTAL COUNT: BALL STATE 3 BUFFALO 1 EVEN 4

PREDICTION: Today will do a lot to see which performance is for real. The one that handled IU pretty comfortably, or the one that got smacked around by USF. I’ll take Ball State 31 Buffalo 21

Quarterbacks:
Ball State: Keith Wenning had maybe his best day as a Cardinal last week, throwing 23-29 for 173 yards, and 2 TDs. He also ran for 61 yards and a TD. Don’t be mistaken, Wenning isn’t a mobile quarterback, but he’s a good runner when needed. Will Wenning be able to keep the high completion percentage up against a high pressure defense?
USF: BJ Daniels is one of the best dual threat QBs in the nation. He went for 128 and a TD passing, and ran 12 times for 37 yards vs. a good ND defense. He’ll likely try to exploit the BSU D, who in the past has had trouble with running QBs

Advantage:

Runningbacks:
Ball State: The Cardinals were missing their top 3 running backs from spring ball, two due to injury, one to transfer. As it turns out, Brown is leaving the football team due to a lingering injury that won’t heal aswell. But that didn’t matter against IU. Walk-on transfer Barrington Scott, and true freshman without another BCS offer Jahwan Edwards dominated IU for a combined 145 yards. Sykes is questionable again this week.
USF: South Florida uses two backs, Demeitrious Murray and Darrell Scott. Neither had great games vs. ND. Scott is the former #1 RB recruit in the nation, and transferred from Colorado, however he hasn’t panned out yet. Murray is a nice RB with decent breakaway speed.

Advantage:

Wide Receivers:
Ball State: It was a group effort vs. Indiana with no receiver going over 60 yards. Gibson had maybe his best game as a Cardinal after being forgotten about in the old regime. Orsbon was solid as well. We expected Tomlinson to be a bigger part of the offense, but it was clear that he was the guy IU was shutting down.
USF: Landi is the top WR, although he was for the most part shut down by ND. Griffen had the big game with 75 yards receiving and 8 receptions on the day. There’s no game breaker for USF, like IU’s Belcher, but as a unit they do a good job

Advantage:

Offensive Line:
Ball State: The Cardinals had a very surprising effort from the OL, dominating IU in the trenches. BSU has started to get some experience in the OL for the first time since 08. Cam Lowry played some at tackle last week, but still isn’t 100% after his ACL tear almost a year ago.
USF: Coach Lembo said it best, USF on the OL is what we hope to be. A lot of experience, and a lot of size. USF’s LTs are 340, and the backup is 335. They only have one OL below 300lbs.

Advantage:

Defensive Line:
Ball State: The Cardinals DL was another huge surprise last week. The DTs Adam Morris and Nate Ollie were great combining for 3 sacks. The DE’s didn’t make a ton of noise, but they didn’t need to with blitzing LBs and Safety’s making a big difference.
USF: USF’s DL was their weakness on D against ND. The LBs were great, the DBs were great, but the DL combined for just 7 tackles and no sacks. 5 USF D players beat the OL by themselves. Hampton, one of the DEs is a tiny 234 and potentially could be manhandled by a stronger OL.

Advantage:

Linebackers:
Ball State: This may be the Cardinals best starting position. Freeman was great at MLB, Morris came in from S and had a sack and was all over the place with 9 tackles. Martin had a good game too, and nearly had a pick six, which went in and out of his hands. Cruz is a good backup, but has been strained by injury.
USF: As good as BSU is here, USF may be even better. Their trio of Lattimore, Barrington, and Lanaris combined for 28 tackles and 2 INT vs. a good ND team, and ranked the 42nd best LB by Phil Steele. Their linebackers are a little undersized, but what they lack in size they more than make up for in speed. USF’s LBs are very quick and ballhawk with the best of them.

Advantage:

Defensive Backs:
Ball State: The BSU DBs were pretty good against IU, and minus the big TD to Belcher, I’d say they were very good. Baker had 8 tackles in maybe a bit of an off game. Pinkston completely shut down Demarlo Belcher. Garrett showed a lot of promise, but also showed if the WR is 7 inches taller, he probably isn’t the guy to put on him. I was very impressed with Josh Howard despite his taunting foul.
USF: The USF DBs were the reason they beat ND last week. Jon Lejiste is the closest I’ve seen a player to Sean Baker, very similar players. at the other safety Jarrell Young won Big East player of the week with 7 tackles, an INT, and a forced fumble. Quenton washington is also a nice tackler.

Advantage:

Special Teams:
Ball State: The special teams absolutely shined vs. IU. Schott went 2-2 from FGs, and hit all of his XPs. Kovanda averaged 44+ yards punting, including a 57 yard bomb with no return. Ball State outgained IU in kickoff returns, and punt returns as well.
South Florida: USFs kicker Maikon Bonani went 3-4 on PKs, his only miss from 52 yards. Brockhaus-Kann punted for just 36.6 ypk, with a long of 46. Their kick returning game was solid, but nothing too flashy.

Advantage:

TOTALS: USF: 4 Ball State: 2 Even: 2

Ball State could very well give USF a run for their money, but 1. BSU has never beaten a BCS team not named IU, and 2. USF is 14-0 at Raymond James openers. USF takes this one 35-23

zSHARE – BSU-IU 9-3-2011.mp3.

Quarterback
Ball State: Keith Wenning: begins year two as the Cardinals starting QB, but year one as the day one starter. Wenning had a lot of good moments last year, and a good amount of bad moments too. He’s still young, but seems to have taken command of the offense, and will fit with the new offense very well.

Indiana Edward Wright Baker OR Dusty Kiel: We’re one day from gameday, but still no closer to figuring out who the starting QB will be in Indiana. Both QBs struggled mightily in their brief moments playing last year, going a combined 9/29. Both will be starting their first game in college history. Wright Baker is a little faster, and may be the odds on favorite, if there is one.

Advantage:

Runningbacks:
Ball State: Cory Sykes, Barrington Scott, Jahwan Edwards: What used to be the Cards strongest position is potentially a weak point now. Sykes is questionable, Brown is doubtful. Williams transferred. Scott is an NIU walkon that left after not getting any playing time, however the staff has loved him, and expect to see him a lot on gameday. Edwards is a true freshman bruiser back.

Indiana: Matt Perez, Stephen Houston: IUs top back Darius Willis will not play due to suspension, so IU is forced to find other options. Perez is a redshirt freshman, that wasn’t a big recruit, but IU has loved since he got on campus. Houston is a JUCO transfer, but neither of these guys have taken a handoff in IUs system.

Advantage:

Wide Receivers:
Ball State: Briggs Orsbon, Toriel Gibson, Jack Tomlinson: Ball State looks a lot better now at WR than they did a year ago today. If Tomlinson can stay healthy, he will be a dynamic part of this offense. Orsbon’s the on and off the field leader, and should have a nice senior year in Lembo’s system.

Indiana: Demarlo Belcher, Dre Muhammad, Kofi Hughes: Indiana’s top target Tandon Doss left for the NFL, and it looks like Duwyce Wilson won’t play. Belcher is a handful, and a huge target. Jason Pinkston will be tested all day.

Advantage:

Offensive Line:
Ball State: The Cardinals struggled on the OL last year, a lot due to injury. Everyone of significance should be back however. The only unknown is if Cam Lowry will be starting at LT after a torn ACL at Purdue last year.

Indiana IU returns just 1 player on the OL, and the OL is definitely not a strength. However, since this is true for neither team, IU likely has slightly better athletes, purely through recruiting.

Advantage:

Defensive Line:
Ball State: has a very solid trio of DTs in Adam Morris, Nathan Ollie, and Donovan Jarrett. The huge question mark is at DE. Pass rusher Nick Miles is likely out with an appendectomy, and Matt Mosely was kicked off the team. Hartke and Puthoff will start there, but neither are pass rushers.

Indiana: The Hoosiers are led by their DTs, in Adam Replogle and Larry Black, both returning. Darius Johnson is a decent pass rusher on the outside, and Ryan Phillis will start at the other end.

Advantage:

Linebackers
Ball State: The Cardinals send out Travis Freeman and Tony Martin for their 3rd straight year of starting for BSU. Freeman has put on 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason as a part of the new strength program. Aaron Morris has beefed up and moved from safety to a S/LB hybrid.

Indiana Jeff Thomas, Leon Beckum, and Chase Hoobler get the start for the Hoosiers. That’s two seniors and a freshman. IU feels pretty good about their LB core despite losing some key pieces from last year’s team.

Advantage:

Defensive Backs:
Ball State: What was Ball State’s biggest weakness two years ago may now be its biggest strength. BSU trots out All MAC players at CB in Jason Pinkston, and S in Sean Baker, who may be the best player in the conference regardless of position. Jeff Garrett gets the start at the other CB, and Josh Howard and Kyle Hoke will share time at the other safety.

Indiana This is one of IUs weakest spots. Chris Adkins will start at one safety, the other is Jarrell Drane. At the corners are two new sophomores, Lawrence Barnett, and Greg Heban. Heban was originally a football walk-on.

Advantage:

Kicking Game:
Ball State: Despite losing one of the MACs better kickers in Ian McGarvey, Ball State is still strong here. Secor will handle kickoffs, and Schott won the battle to PK. Scott Kovanda is arguably the conferences best punter.

Indiana: It seems like, even in IUs better years, they’ve always struggled here. Mitch Ewald is a decent option at K, but struggles past 40. IUs starting punter left the team, leaving Adam Pines to handle the punting.

Advantage:

Prediction: Indiana 28 Ball State 20

BY: PAT BOYLAN

Indiana 28 Ball State 20 – The Cardinals can win this game, but BSU will struggle in the trenches due to the size of Big 10 teams. Cardinals hang around, but IU wins.

South Florida 42 Ball State 20 – Some are predicting South Florida to win the Big East. We’ll learn a lot about them in their opener vs. ND. Ball State doesn’t get blown out, but never makes a big threat to win.

Ball State 31 Buffalo 13 – The first win of the Pete Lembo era comes at home to Buffalo. BSU beat the Bulls pretty good in Buffalo last year, and there’s no reason they can’t do it again.

Ball State 31 Army 27 – The Cardinals eek out a victory against the Black Knights, who won a bowl game last year. There is a lot of turnover from Army’s team last year, but they’ll still be competitive.

Oklahoma 52 Ball State 13 – OU is the best team in the nation, and not afraid to run it up. Ball State handles this game better than Iowa, but it would take more than OU to play awful, and BSU to play great to win.

Temple 27 Ball State 21 – The Owls are going no where. Bernard Pierce is back, as is much of that defense. Temple makes Ball State’s losing streak on homecoming 3.

Ohio 35 Ball State 23 – BSU gets the two top East teams in back to back weeks. The Cards hang around for while, but the Bobcats have too much for them at home.

Ball State 35 Central Michigan 17 – The Cardinals continue to have the Chips number, in another surprising lopsided victory.

Ball State 31 Western Michigan 28 – A last second Steven Schott field goal gives the Cardinals some revenge in Kalamazoo from last year pounding on homecoming.

Ball State 41 Eastern Michigan 24 – The Cardinals make it a clean sweep of Michigan with a dominating victory over Eastern, again exacting some revenge.

Northern Illinois 31 Ball State 27 – Ball State plays well, but don’t have enough to pull off the upset on the road.

Toledo 35 Ball State 20 – The Rockets don’t let the Cardinals jump out to an early 17-0 lead in this one, and knock the Cards bowl chances down the drain.

Final Record: 5-7 (3-5)

Keith Wenning 58% 2,600 yards 24TD 12INT
Cory Sykes 750yards 6TDs
Jack Tomlinson 67rec 1,100 9TDs

Ball State Sports Link: Football vs. IU (Monday Report) from Ball State Student Media on Vimeo.

As coach Lembo said at the end of practice.

“We’re in the dog days of summer.”

And that’s exactly how today’s practice looked. The team was a little sluggish in the August heat, however there were several positives taken out of today’s two hour practice.

Coming into this season, Jr. kicker Steven Schott had a career long kick of 47 yards back in high school. During the special teams portion of practice, Schott hit a 53 yard kick straight through the uprights. He got the majority of the first team reps and looks like he has won the kicking contest between him and newcomer Scott Secor.

Neither Keith Wenning or Kelly Paige had good practices, however Wenning did look a lot better throwing the ball than his counterpart. Wenning showed his touch on several deep passes as well as connecting on the short screen passes. Paige threw the ball well in the middle of the field, however struggled with the deep ball.

Freshman receiver Willie Snead has turned heads ever since he arrived on campus a semester early. Snead had the best practice out of the receivers consistently finding the weak spots in the secondary and running very well after the catch. On the teams preseason depth chart, Snead is written in as one of three starting receivers.

The running backs had a good day running very effectively. Freshman Jawhaun Edwards showed off his punishing style getting many first team reps. Barrington Scott continues to impress, showing off his between the tackles ability as well as his catching ability. Senior Corey Sykes was not in pads, Sophomore David Browns had limited practice but was in full pads after sitting out with a nagging injury.

The team will continue practice tomorrow with a morning and night practice in preparation for the September 3rd season opener against Indiana. Be sure to follow @PatBoylanBSU @KgBinder and @ChrisRenkel on twitter for all your BSU football updates.

By, Chris Renkel

5. Soph. OG Jordan Hansel
Hansel came to Ball State last year as a freshman, after turning down an offer from Louisville. Hansel was thrust into the OL early after injury plagued the young unit. Hansel immediately showed promise, and fit right into a group that at times struggled. As a sophomore, look for Hansel to make that next step. An All-MAC selection wouldn’t be shocking.

4. Soph. WR Jack Tomlinson
This one is sort of cheating. Tomlinson broke out late last year. He finished the season with 29 receptions for 484 yards in 6 touchdowns. But he essentially did all of that in the final 5 games, as he really didn’t get playing time the first half of the season. Those stats include going for 175 and 3TDs against Akron and 106 and a TD vs. Buffalo. If, and unfortunately it’s a big if, Tomlinson can keep the hamstrings healthy, he’s a carbon copy of where Dante Love was at this point in his career.

3. Soph. QB Keith Wenning
Wenning showed a lot his freshman season, after being awarded the starting job in week 3. In 10 games he completed 55% of his passes, threw for 1373 yards, and 14TDs. He also had 14 INTs. But he’s right on track with other top QBs, who often make many big plays, and a lot of mistakes their freshman years. It’s often their sophomore season where the mistakes start coming down. Wenning has as good of arm strength as almost any QB in D1, and has shown touch as well. Lembo will throw the ball around a ton, which should work in Wenning’s favor, allowing him to develop faster. The wait for the next star QB in Muncie may not be that long after all.

2. Fr. WR Willie Snead
Snead may be the best recruit from the 2011 recruiting class. He took a visit to Florida, and committed to BSU soon after their offer. He’s been on campus since January, graduating high school early, and received first team reps in BSU’s opening practice of Fall Camp. Snead was underrecruited, because he was forced to play QB with his high school team, but has great hands, and is a very quick and agile wide receiver. Lembo had a WR in the top 10 FCS every year he coached at Elon. This could mean promising things very early for Snead.

1. Soph. DT Nathan Ollie
This may surprise some people that I have Ollie #1. He was the 3rd or 4th DT last year, but made a lot of good plays when he was in. At 6-1 280, Ollie is big enough to stop the run, but small enough to be a legit threat in the passing game too. He has a motor that doesn’t stop, and with a very likely 3 man rotation of Morris, Ollie, and Jarrett, should see a lot of playing time. If Ollie remains motivated, he’s going to shock a lot of people this season.

By: Pat Boylan