Blog Archives

Football Preview: Ball State Cardinals

7/30/2018

Oft-injured Cardinals have weapons, need defense

By MIKE SMITH
BALL STATE CARDINALS (2-10, 0-8 MAC in 2017)
Injuries were a huge factor for Ball State last season, taking out a veteran quarterback, All-MAC running back, top receiver and two key offensive linemen even before conference play. Not surprisingly, the Cardinals struggled mightily on offense. Just how much they can recover this season is a big question mark. Certainly, the travails of 2017 provided other players with opportunities to gain valuable experience.

Versatile Johnson makes Walter Camp Award list

7/27/2018

Diontae Johnson is aiming for another big year. (Courtesy UT Athletics)

University of Toledo wide receiver and returner Diontae Johnson (Ruskin, Fla.) was named to the official watch list for the 2018 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award on Friday. Johnson is one of only 50 players in the nation and the only player from the Mid-American Conference to make the list.

Johnson, a junior, has also been named to watch lists for the Biletnikoff Award (top receiver) and Hornung Award (most versatile). Last season, he caught 74 passes for a school-record 1,278 yards and 13 TDs. He was a first-team All-MAC selection at both wide receiver and punt returner, as well as a second-team all-league pick at kickoff returner. Johnson was the first Rocket to be named all-league at three positions since Eric Page in 2011.

Six MAC players listed on Wuerffel Trophy list

7/26/2018

Six Mid-American Conference football players have been named to the Wuerffel Trophy preseason list. Those on the list are Justin Tranquill (Jr. DB, Western Michigan) Cody Thompason (Sr WR, Toledo), James Gardner (Sr. WR, Miami); Jeremy Hickey (Sr OL, Eastern Michigan) Mitch Stanitzek (Sr DL, Central Michigan) and Riley Neal (Sr QB, Ball State).

The Wuerffel Trophy, named after former Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, is presented to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

Three MAC players on Bednarik list

7/26/2018

Three MAC defenders have been named as preseason candidates list for the 2018 Bednarik Award. MAC players on the list are Maxx Crosby (Eastern Michigan), Ulysses Gilbert (Akron) and Khalil Hodge (Buffalo). (Click Read more for entire list)

The award is presented to the college defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club and is named after Al-American Chuck Bednarik.

The last of the 60-minute men, he was a stalwart at both linebacker and center for the 1960 NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles and a three-year All-American from the University of Pennsylvania playing on both sides of the ball. Certainly, when the Maxwell Football Club decided to have an award for College Defensive Player of the Year, the first name to come to mind for this award was Charles Philip (Chuck) Bednarik.

Ohio, NIU get media preseason nod

7/24/2018

DETROIT, Mich. – The Ohio Bobcats and Northern Illinois Huskies have been selected to win the East and West Divisions respectfully in the 2018 Mid-American Conference Football Media Preseason Poll. The poll was . . .

Broncos’ Beal selected by Giants

7/12/2018

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Former Western Michigan defensive back Sam Beal was drafted in the third round by the New York Giants in Wednesday's NFL Supplemental Draft.

Beal is the highest player selected in the NFL Supplemental Draft since the Cleveland Browns drafted wide receiver Josh Gordon in the second round in 2012. He is the first player to be taken in the supplemental draft since 2015, when offensive lineman Isaiah Battle went in the fifth round to the Rams.

Beal becomes . . .

Point guard Ringo out at Miami

7/10/2018

OXFORD, OH -- Point guard Darrian Ringo, a third team All-MAC selection last year, is no longer with the Miami basketball program, according to a Monday release from the school. No further comment was offered.

Ringo was one of several key pieces added to the program by new head coach Jack Owens and thrived on both ends of the court. He led the conference in steals (91), while his 236 assists ranked ninth in all of NCAA Division I.

The Brownsburg, Indiana native transferred to Miami after previously playing junior college ball at Eastern Arizona and Midland College.

Inconsistent game equals high stress!!!

7/9/2018

It's here!!!

Well, almost, anyway. The local club golf tournament is this weekend and I have entered. Just three days ago, that entry was in serious doubt. What is not in doubt, however, is my level of anxiety!

If there is one thing that is consistent about my game, it is that I am inconsistent. I owe much of that to the fact that I never had any formal training until later in life. Consequently, the mind still awash with a myriad of bad swing habits acquired as a youth wandering the local course.

With no . . .

Two hoop transfers ink with UB

7/6/2018

BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo Bulls have added two transfers to their basketball program.
Antwain Johnson and Gabe Grant will sit out the 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer rules and will have one year of eligibility for 2019-20.

"The addition of Antwain and Gabe is . . .

Mystery, comedy ... AND food!!!

7/3/2018

By MIKE SMITH
For MRO Summer Fare
What’s better than a four-course meal?

How about adding a savory mix of comedy and mystery?

It’s all part of the experience when people attend a Dinner Detective event -- part dinner and part theater.

The show portion is an enjoyable exercise for both actors and diners, with the former embedded among paying customers -- who could become suspects themselves as a murder mystery unfolds between food servings.
According to . . .