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| Keith Wenning leads the Ball State offensive attack. Can the Bulls get to him? |
In their first game of the season, the win over Indiana, Ball State was balanced. They ran the ball for 210 yards, amassing a total of 383 yards of offense. USF defense gave up over 500 yards to the Irish, so this is not an easy task for the game. They were 10 of 14 in 3rd down conversions and held onto the ball for 36 minutes, slowing the pace and keeping the ball in their hands, so the defense will have to get them off the field and not allow them to keep the game slowed to their pace and get the offense on the field more.
Time to take a look at the offense of Ball State.
QuarterbacksBall State has two quarterbacks that saw a lot of snaps last season. Sophomore Keith Wenning (6-4 220-pounds) played in all 12 games last season, being named most valuable freshman by his team. Wenning went 128 for 235 for 1373 yards in 2010 (54% completion percentage) throwing 14 touchdowns but also throwing 14 interceptions (sounds familiar). He is a running theat, but couldn't find the open field in 2010, he carried the ball 32 times, amassing a total of -2 yards on the season, but did manage to score 2 rushing touchdowns.
In the first game of the season against Indiana, Wenning took all of the snaps. He went 23 for 29 yards, throwing for 173 yard (6 yards per pass) and two touchdowns. He didn't do too much and didn't throw the ball to far downfield, keeping his passes short and simple. This is something the linebackers and corners will have to contend with but also watch the deep passes. He also ran the ball 8 times for 61 yards and scored a touchdown, so he will move with the ball and keep plays alive. The defense will have to contain him and swarm to the ball. His size will make it hard for the defense to hit him and will have to gang tackle him.
The other quarterback that could get playing time is junior Kelly Page (6-3 211-pounds). Page played 9 games in 2010, starting 2 games for Ball State, including the season opener. He finished the season 38 of 71 for 470 yards (53% completion percentage) throwing 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions before losing his job to Wenning. He carried the ball 24 times for 157 yards, so he does have the ability to escape the pass rush and make something happen with his legs if he does get playing time.
Overall, Ball State will rely on the play of Wenning to get the job down. It will be very interesting to see how our veteran secondary and fast pass rush are able to pressure and make life hard for the Cardinal passing game.
Running backs
Ball State has some question marks in its running game. They lost several key players to graduation after last season and will be looking for the right player to take over in the backfield.
Sophomore Barrington Scott (5-11 204-pounds) walked-on last season (didn't play a down) and is listed as the starting tailback entering the season. Against Indiana, he had 18 carries for 63 yards, getting plenty of action and showing a nice burst.
Junior Dwayne Donigan (5-6 171-pounds) is another former walk-on for the Cardinals. He appeared in just two games in 2010, picking up 1 carry for 3 yards in the game against Iowa. He is listed on the two-deep, but saw no action in the game against Indiana.
Listed on the starting depth chart as the 3rd running back is true freshman Jahwan Edwards (5-10 232-pounds) (2-star prospect from the 2011 recruiting class). He actually led the way against Indiana with 16 carries for 89 yards. He will see plenty of him in this game as well (true freshman at running back, throw him into the fire early I guess).
Ball State does return two veteran runners from last season.
Sophomore David Brown (5-10 198-pounds) carried the ball 62 times for 358 yards and gained 1 touchdown (appeared in 10 games in 2010). He also caught 5 passes for 33 yards (long of 9 yards) so he will move out of the backfield. He didn't record a carry in their first game.
Senior Cory Skyes (5-7 170-pounds) carried the ball 46 times for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2010. He also did not carry the ball. We may see these two veteran tailbacks in the game if the freshman struggles and they continue to rotate players in.
Wide receivers
The Cardinals have a wide variety of both speedy receivers and big size in the corps, so this will be a difficult challenge for the Bulls No Fly Zone squad (at least no more Michael Floyd right?)
At the X-receiver position, freshman Willie Snead is listed as the co-starter (5-11 182-pounds) did not record a reception against Indiana. Sophomore Jack Tomlinson (5-9 160-pounds) made 4 receptions for 15 yards. In 2010, he made 29 receptions for 484 yards and 6 touchdowns so he is a player to watch for throws down field. Sophomore Connor Ryan (6-1 187-pounds) made 2 receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown vs. Indiana. He made 1 catch for 10 yards and a touchdown in 2010 so he is ready to break out.
At the Z-receiver position, senior Briggs Orsbon gets the starting job (6-0 189-pounds). He made 5 receptions for 40 yards in the opening win. In 2010, he made 28 receptions for 295 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore Jamill Smith (5-8 137-pounds, hope he doesn't meet a linebacker at any point) made 2 receptions for 14 yards. In 2010, he only had one quick pass that lost 5 yards.
At the W-receiver spot, senior Torieal Gibson (5-9 173-pounds) made 5 receptions for 57 yards. In 2010, he made 13 receptions for 119 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore Phil Dudley (5-9 175-pounds) made 6 receptions for 37 yards in 2010, he didn't make a catch in the game last week. Freshman Chris Shillings (6-1 200-pounds) is also listed on the depth chart due to his size.
At the tight end position, Zane Fakes (6-3 233-pounds) made 1 reception for 3 yards. In 2010, he made 4 receptions for 42 yards. Sophomore Aaron Mershman (6-2 211-pounds) had 13 receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown in 2010. Sophomore David Schneider (6-3 250-pounds) had 5 receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown in 2010 as well.
Overall, they are a semi-experience group that has some size and speed on the outside that will push the USF secondary in this game.
Offensive line
The Cardinals have a very big and experienced offensive line. The Bulls had to deal with this in South Bend and will see another big group of blockers that will try to slow down our pass rush and try to gash us up the middle.
Starting at right tackle is junior Austin Holtz (no relation). He is 6-5 and 296-pounds. He started 5 games in 2010. His back up is sophomore Matthew Page (6-6 289-pounds). Junior Kitt O'Brien (6-6 305-pounds) is the starter at right tackle. He started every game in 2010. His back up is senior Rayondon Kennedy (6-2 280-pounds). Senior Kreg Hunter (6-3 294-pounds) is the starter at center. He started 5 games last season, playing in 8 total games (missed some time with an ankle injury). Sophomore Jordan Hansel (6-4 300-pounds) is the starter at left guard. He started in 6 games, playing in 8 total games. His back up is junior Chris Sparrow (6-2 295-pounds). Junior Dan Manick is the starter at left tackle (6-4 286-pounds). He started 7 games last season, playing in a total of 10 games (suffered an ankle injury last season). Junior Cameron Lowry (6-6 289-pounds) is his back up.
The offensive line is very solid for Ball State. It will be really interesting to see what they can against the speed pass rush of the Bulls.
Overall, this is a solid offensive group for the Cardinals. They are not a team that will put up 50 points a game, but will control the ball, keep the ball, drive, and control the clock. The Bulls will have to get pressure on the quarterback, contain the rushing attack, cover the wide receivers, and try to get some kind of pass rush on the offensive line that is pretty large. This will not be easy.
Wide receivers
The Cardinals have a wide variety of both speedy receivers and big size in the corps, so this will be a difficult challenge for the Bulls No Fly Zone squad (at least no more Michael Floyd right?)
At the X-receiver position, freshman Willie Snead is listed as the co-starter (5-11 182-pounds) did not record a reception against Indiana. Sophomore Jack Tomlinson (5-9 160-pounds) made 4 receptions for 15 yards. In 2010, he made 29 receptions for 484 yards and 6 touchdowns so he is a player to watch for throws down field. Sophomore Connor Ryan (6-1 187-pounds) made 2 receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown vs. Indiana. He made 1 catch for 10 yards and a touchdown in 2010 so he is ready to break out.
At the Z-receiver position, senior Briggs Orsbon gets the starting job (6-0 189-pounds). He made 5 receptions for 40 yards in the opening win. In 2010, he made 28 receptions for 295 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore Jamill Smith (5-8 137-pounds, hope he doesn't meet a linebacker at any point) made 2 receptions for 14 yards. In 2010, he only had one quick pass that lost 5 yards.
At the W-receiver spot, senior Torieal Gibson (5-9 173-pounds) made 5 receptions for 57 yards. In 2010, he made 13 receptions for 119 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore Phil Dudley (5-9 175-pounds) made 6 receptions for 37 yards in 2010, he didn't make a catch in the game last week. Freshman Chris Shillings (6-1 200-pounds) is also listed on the depth chart due to his size.
At the tight end position, Zane Fakes (6-3 233-pounds) made 1 reception for 3 yards. In 2010, he made 4 receptions for 42 yards. Sophomore Aaron Mershman (6-2 211-pounds) had 13 receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown in 2010. Sophomore David Schneider (6-3 250-pounds) had 5 receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown in 2010 as well.
Overall, they are a semi-experience group that has some size and speed on the outside that will push the USF secondary in this game.
Offensive line
The Cardinals have a very big and experienced offensive line. The Bulls had to deal with this in South Bend and will see another big group of blockers that will try to slow down our pass rush and try to gash us up the middle.
Starting at right tackle is junior Austin Holtz (no relation). He is 6-5 and 296-pounds. He started 5 games in 2010. His back up is sophomore Matthew Page (6-6 289-pounds). Junior Kitt O'Brien (6-6 305-pounds) is the starter at right tackle. He started every game in 2010. His back up is senior Rayondon Kennedy (6-2 280-pounds). Senior Kreg Hunter (6-3 294-pounds) is the starter at center. He started 5 games last season, playing in 8 total games (missed some time with an ankle injury). Sophomore Jordan Hansel (6-4 300-pounds) is the starter at left guard. He started in 6 games, playing in 8 total games. His back up is junior Chris Sparrow (6-2 295-pounds). Junior Dan Manick is the starter at left tackle (6-4 286-pounds). He started 7 games last season, playing in a total of 10 games (suffered an ankle injury last season). Junior Cameron Lowry (6-6 289-pounds) is his back up.
The offensive line is very solid for Ball State. It will be really interesting to see what they can against the speed pass rush of the Bulls.
Overall, this is a solid offensive group for the Cardinals. They are not a team that will put up 50 points a game, but will control the ball, keep the ball, drive, and control the clock. The Bulls will have to get pressure on the quarterback, contain the rushing attack, cover the wide receivers, and try to get some kind of pass rush on the offensive line that is pretty large. This will not be easy.
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