Sports
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
www.NorthernStar.info/Sports H @NSSports H 815-753-9637
7
Breaking Down the Cardinals Football looks to keep alive its MAC Championship game aspirations when it hits the road for a mid-week affair. The Huskies (6-2, 3-1 MAC) take on the Ball State Cardinals (3-5, 2-2 MAC) 7 p.m. today at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Ind. Beat writer Ryan Simpson breaks down the Cardinals.
Defense
Offense
Quarterback
Jack Milas Quarterback
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jack Milas has started the last three games for the Cardinals and won two of those games, losing by four points to Western Michigan in his first start. During his three games at quarterback, Milas has completed 56 percent of his passes and thrown five touchdowns compared to zero interceptions. With a quarterback efficiency rating of 124.5, this young pocket passer quarterback looks to have a bright future. As long as the Huskies can slow down Milas and the Cardinals’ air game, the Cardinals’ chances of winning will be lessened.
Running Back
Jahwan Edwards Running back
With so many rushing accolades to show, it’s easy to understand why senior running back Jahwan Edwards is Ball State’s most lethal offensive threat. At 5-foot-10, 219 pounds, Edwards set the Ball State career rushing touchdown and total touchdowns records (39) during his junior season. He has rushed for 100 or more yards on 12 occasions and is one of six Cardinals to rush for 3,000 or more yards. He leads the Cardinals with eight touchdowns this season and averages nearly 103.5 rushing yards per game. Edwards is clearly Ball State’s most prolific offensive threat and scorer.
Wide Receiver
KeVonn Mabon Wide receiver
Junior wide receiver KeVonn Mabon is one of the Cardinals’ go-to guys in the air. After a season-ending injury last year that allowed Mabon to play in only three games, he has set the standard for the Cardinals’ pass game. Mabon is Ball State’s leading receiver with 495 yards receiving and four touchdowns. He averages nearly 62 receiving yards per game and is arguably one of the Cardinals’ best receivers along with junior Jordan Williams. Williams has caught 36 passes for 436 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.
Stephen Bell Offensive line
In 2013, Ball State was ranked 17th in the nation for fewest sacks allowed. The Cardinals averaged about 1.2 sacks allowed per game. A lot of the success of the offensive line goes to Steven Bell, redshirt sophomore offensive tackle. This year the offensive line has slipped a little, allowing about 1.3 sacks per game, and is third in the MAC in sacks allowed. That is still a very strong line. If Bell and the rest of the Cardinals continue their success at protecting their quarterback and creating running lanes the offense is capable of generating a high point total.
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
At 5-foot-11, 270 pounds, junior defensive tackle Darnell Smith is a big threat to the Huskies operating their offense efficiently. Smith has demonstrated he can get in the backfield as he is Ball State’s leader in tackles for loss with 4.5 and sacks with three. He has 27 total tackles, three quarterback hurries and one forced fumble in eight games this season. Smith will have his work cut out for him against a deep, experienced Huskies’ offensive line, which ranks first in the conference and second in the NCAA in fewest sacks allowed per game (0.63).
Darnell Smith Defensive line
Linebacker
Through eight games this season, redshirt junior linebacker Ben Ingle is the leading tackler for the Cardinals. With 71 total tackles in the 2014 campaign, Ingle is a dominant threat on the defensive side of the ball as the Cardinals’ closest tackler is at 49 tackles. At 6-foot, 230 pounds, Ingle’s presence will be made known to the Huskie offense as he roams the field for a Huskie to hit. He recorded his first interception of the season Oct. 25 against the Akron Zips, and he’s almost always around the ball with two tackles for loss and three passes defensed on the season.
Ben Ingle Linebacker
Secondary
After a stellar performance Oct. 18 against Central Michigan that resulted in a Ball State upset win, senior cornerback Eric Patterson was nationally recognized as the winner of the Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week award. To earn that award, Patterson had two interceptions and one forced fumble and led the team with 10 tackles in the 32-29 victory. Patterson can fly around the field as he is the third-leading tackler for the Cardinals and leads the team with three interceptions in eight starters this season.
Eric Patterson Secondary
Special Teams
As far as kickers go, redshirt senior Scott Secor is nearly automatic. Boasting an impressive 80.8 percent success rate, Secor has made 21 of his 26 field goal attempts this season. He made a 55-yard field goal, which was the game winner in the Cardinals’ 32-29 upset of the Central Michigan Chippewas Oct. 18. Within 30 yards of the uprights, he is perfect on nine attempts this season. Needless to say, Secor will put points on the board when given the opportunity. It will be up to the Huskies to keep those to a minimum.
Scott Secor Kicker
Holding onto ball will be crucial for football Football | From Back Page
The Huskies have won their last two games: One saw them put up 51 points on Miami (Ohio) and they had a road victory against Eastern Michigan. The Cardinals have won twostraight games against tough opponents. Oct. 18 they defeated Central Michigan (6-4, 4-2 MAC) and Oct. 25 they beat an Akron (4-4, 2-2 MAC) team that is contending for a spot in the MAC Championship game. Ball State will look to its running game to produce a lot of its
offensive production against the Huskies. Senior running back Jahwan Edwards has already rushed for 828 yards and has recorded eight touchdowns. The Huskies’ defense has struggled against the run, but it will Rod Carey look to zone in Head coach on the Ball State running game. “He’s a powerful, elusive, shifty guy,” Carey said. “He’s got all of the qualities you look for. He’s good size,
he’s got good feet, good hips, good vision and he runs with a great pad level. You see him running down on special teams, too, so you know he’s just a consummate team leader.” The Huskies will need another solid performance by redshirt sophomore quarterback Drew Hare if they want to win their third-straight game. Hare has been dominant of late, rushing for 346 yards and three touchdowns. He has 1,226 passing yards this season with 11 touchdowns and only one interception. “I think that he’s progressing well,” Carey said. “I think he is starting to
play the quarterback position not just as an athlete but also as a passer and a leader. I think the team is responding to that.” The defense will have to improve in stopping the passing game. Ball State has switched to red- William Lee shirt freshman Defensive tackle quarterback Jack Milas, who has excelled in the passing game. He has thrown for 749 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions
Bronze Stalk Trophy
The winner of the NIU-Ball State game receives the Bronze Stalk Trophy. NIU has won five-straight games against Ball State. in the last three games. “He’s a great passer,” said William Lee, redshirt freshman defensive tackle. “He doesn’t really run that much, but he is pretty smart with the ball.”