2022 Record: 5-7, 3-5 MAC
2023 MAC Head Coaches Poll: Fifth in MAC West
Seven games into the 2022 season, Ball State owned a 4-3 overall record and was 2-1 in MAC play. Toledo and Eastern Michigan lie ahead -- opportunities to claim a MAC West title. Two more wins of any kind would make BSU bowl eligible.
Unfortunately, for the Cardinals, they lost to both UT and EMU in one-score games. They also managed just one more win (over Kent State) over the final five outings.
It was a disappointing finish to a promising campaign. If BSU is going to improve this time around, it will need several new faces to step in and/or step up.
>> The most glaring personnel changes this year are transfer related. Running back Carson Steele, a First Team All-MAC selection who ranked ninth nationally in rushing (1,556 yards), is now at UCLA. Ironically, he will be joining former Kent State QB Collin Schlee in Bruins gear. While its difficult to replace Steele's hard-running production on a 6-1, 225 frame, Ball State picked up another productive talent when Marquez Cooper transferred to the Cardinals program. Cooper (5-7, 190) played at Kent State last season and fnished second (1,331 yards, 110.9 ypg) among MAC rushers for the year. He carried 32 times for 168 yards and a TD against Ball State. (Steele registered 29 carries for 192 yards and a touchdown in the contest).
>> Three starters return up front. Among them is junior center Ethan Crowe (Second Team All-MAC).
>> John Paddock started all 12 games for BSU last season, completing 59.6 percent of his passes for 2,719 yards and 18 TDs with 14 interceptions. He is now at Illinois. With Paddock gone, the Cardinals need somebody to take the reins. Kisel Kelly, who backed up Paddock last year, is one possibility. However, he threw just one pass on the year. A more experienced option is Layne Hatcher. Now 24 years old, he was at Texas State in 2022. Prior to that, he played at Arkansas State and redshirted at Alabama. Hatcher threw for over 2,000 yards in each of four Sun Belt Conference campaigns. His 84 career passing TDs is eighth among active FBS leaders, while the 35 INTs is ninth.
>> Jayshon Jackson and Yo'Heinz Tyler have departed, so the Cardinals need new play-makers at wideout. However, Brady Hunt and Tanner Koziol return at tight ends after combining for 96 catches, 871 yards and 12 of 18 BSU receiving touchdowns. Hunt, a 6-6, 245 former quarterback, earned First Team All-MAC honors last year
>> Ball State ranked fifth among MAC teams in scoring defense (26.9 ppg) and eighth in total defense (426.9 ypg). One area of particular focus will be stopping the run. The Cardinals were last among MAC teams in 2022, surrendering an average of 182.3 ypg on the ground. Passing defense was much better, as BSU ranked third (216.1 ypg).
>> Remaining among the MAC's upper echelon in pass defense might take some work as the secondary requires four new starters. Two All-MAC players are among the departed.
>> There is plenty of experience at linebacker. Clayton Coll leads the bunch, earning Second Team All-MAC honors in 2022. He notched a team-high 110 tackles. Cole Pearce (85 stops) and Sidney Houston Jr. (67 hits) are also back, along with Keionte' Newson.
>> Three starters return along the front line.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
>> BSU must replace kicker Ben VonGunten (17-of-21 on field goals). Punter Lucas Borrow is back after averaging 41.4 yards per boot. Only 16 were returned.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
They may do it a little differently, but the Cardinals running game should remain productive with Cooper taking over for Steele. Hatcher has plenty of experience, so the questions are how well can he absorb the systems and can BSU provide legit target options outside tight ends.
There is a lot of experience up front on defense, but the secondary has undergoing some turnover. As a unit, the defense needs to improve on stopping the run.
Seven of Ball State's last eight games were one-score differentials. Special teams can often decide the close ones, so its important for BSU to find a reliable/productive kicker.