Ball State secondary will be tested in Wild(cat) opener
Ball State at Kentucky
Saturday, Sept. 2 - 12 p.m. ET
Kroger Field - Lexington, Ky
SECN
MRO STAFF REPORT
Ball State's 2023 schedule begins with a heavy one-two punch from SEC schools. The first punch is this weekend when the Cardinals visit Kentucky. A matchup with No. 1 Georgia awaits the following week.
Ball State's only other back-to-back battle with SEC competition in the first two weeks was back in 2001 when the Cardinals began with Auburn and followed that at Kentucky.
That BSU-UK matchup was the only previous meeting between the two schools. Ball State led the Wildcats 10-7 midway through the second period, but Kentucky managed a 14-10 lead at the intermission. Kentucky commanded a 28-13 lead in the fourth, but the Cardinals pulled within 28-20 with six minutes to play. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
How big would a Ball State win this weekend be? Well, the Cardinals are 0-11 against SEC teams ... so, pretty darn big.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
Saturday, Sept. 2 - 12 p.m. ET
Kroger Field - Lexington, Ky
SECN
MRO STAFF REPORT
Ball State's 2023 schedule begins with a heavy one-two punch from SEC schools. The first punch is this weekend when the Cardinals visit Kentucky. A matchup with No. 1 Georgia awaits the following week.
Ball State's only other back-to-back battle with SEC competition in the first two weeks was back in 2001 when the Cardinals began with Auburn and followed that at Kentucky.
That BSU-UK matchup was the only previous meeting between the two schools. Ball State led the Wildcats 10-7 midway through the second period, but Kentucky managed a 14-10 lead at the intermission. Kentucky commanded a 28-13 lead in the fourth, but the Cardinals pulled within 28-20 with six minutes to play. Neither team scored the rest of the way.
How big would a Ball State win this weekend be? Well, the Cardinals are 0-11 against SEC teams ... so, pretty darn big.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
KENTUCKY WILDCATS
>> The Wildcats went 7-6 (3-5 SEC) last year and lost to Iowa 21-0 in the Transperfect Music City Bowl.
>> Former UK quarterback Will Levis was drafted in the NFL by the NFL Titans. However, transfer fortune seems to have smiled on the 'Cats. Stepping into the QB role for 2023 is Devin Leary. The former North Carolina State star generated 3,433 passing yards, completing 283 of 431 passes for 35 passing touchdowns and just five interceptions in 12 games for the 2021 Wolfpack squad. Still with NCS in 2022, he connected on 118 for 193 in six games with 1,265 yards, 11 TDs and a 61 percent completion rate before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury vs. Florida State.
>> Among Leary's strengths is his ability to keep a play alive and get the ball downfield.
>> Kentucky's top four receivers return. WR's Barion Brown, Dane Key and Tayvion Robinson combined for 127 catches, 1,644 yards and 13 touchdowns. Tight end Jordan Dingle recorded 20 catches (220 yards, 3 TDs).
>> Ray Davis (5-10, 216, SR) figures at running back. He transferred to Kentucky after two seasons at Vanderbilt and two at Temple. He ended the 2022 season ranked 30th on the NCAA’s active career rushing yards list with 2,497 yards and owns 2,936 career all-purpose yards. At Vanderbilt last year, he fnished with 29 catches for 169 yards and three TDs. He was sixth in the SEC at 100.92 all-purpose yards per game.
>> While the 'Cats seemed to have lined up playmakers, much could depend on how the offensive line performs after a so-so performance in 2021. Kentucky allowed 47 sacks last year (126th nationally). It's running game ranked 107th, averaging 3.26 per carry.
>> Freshman All-American Deonne Walker (6-6, 348) anchors the UK defensive front. Linebackers Trevin Wallace and D'Eryk Johnson picked up valuable experience last year. Senior JJ Weaver has NFL potential if he can hone his pressure skills.
>> Jordan Levett is among a group of returning safeties, but Kentucky is replacing its starting corners.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
>> The Wildcats converted just 16-of-24 field goals last year and are turning to seniors Alex Raynor and Chance Poore to handle place kicking duties. R-So Wilson Berry will punt.
BALL STATE CARDINALS
See complete preseason preview HERE
>> The Wildcats went 7-6 (3-5 SEC) last year and lost to Iowa 21-0 in the Transperfect Music City Bowl.
>> Former UK quarterback Will Levis was drafted in the NFL by the NFL Titans. However, transfer fortune seems to have smiled on the 'Cats. Stepping into the QB role for 2023 is Devin Leary. The former North Carolina State star generated 3,433 passing yards, completing 283 of 431 passes for 35 passing touchdowns and just five interceptions in 12 games for the 2021 Wolfpack squad. Still with NCS in 2022, he connected on 118 for 193 in six games with 1,265 yards, 11 TDs and a 61 percent completion rate before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury vs. Florida State.
>> Among Leary's strengths is his ability to keep a play alive and get the ball downfield.
>> Kentucky's top four receivers return. WR's Barion Brown, Dane Key and Tayvion Robinson combined for 127 catches, 1,644 yards and 13 touchdowns. Tight end Jordan Dingle recorded 20 catches (220 yards, 3 TDs).
>> Ray Davis (5-10, 216, SR) figures at running back. He transferred to Kentucky after two seasons at Vanderbilt and two at Temple. He ended the 2022 season ranked 30th on the NCAA’s active career rushing yards list with 2,497 yards and owns 2,936 career all-purpose yards. At Vanderbilt last year, he fnished with 29 catches for 169 yards and three TDs. He was sixth in the SEC at 100.92 all-purpose yards per game.
>> While the 'Cats seemed to have lined up playmakers, much could depend on how the offensive line performs after a so-so performance in 2021. Kentucky allowed 47 sacks last year (126th nationally). It's running game ranked 107th, averaging 3.26 per carry.
>> Freshman All-American Deonne Walker (6-6, 348) anchors the UK defensive front. Linebackers Trevin Wallace and D'Eryk Johnson picked up valuable experience last year. Senior JJ Weaver has NFL potential if he can hone his pressure skills.
>> Jordan Levett is among a group of returning safeties, but Kentucky is replacing its starting corners.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
>> The Wildcats converted just 16-of-24 field goals last year and are turning to seniors Alex Raynor and Chance Poore to handle place kicking duties. R-So Wilson Berry will punt.
BALL STATE CARDINALS
See complete preseason preview HERE
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Assuming Leary is healthy and he's given time to pass, the Wildcats will be testing a Ball State secondary that has some new parts. The Cardinals must also be ready to stop a run game with some potential.
Generating their own run production would help the Cardinals, who are moving on without Carson Steele but have a talented Marquez Cooper to plug in at running back. Quarterback John Paddock is gone, so the Cardinals will likely turn to transfer Layne Hatcher. He has experience, albeit in different programs (Texas State and Arkansas State). Ball State is also replacing some departed talent at the wideout positions.
Assuming Leary is healthy and he's given time to pass, the Wildcats will be testing a Ball State secondary that has some new parts. The Cardinals must also be ready to stop a run game with some potential.
Generating their own run production would help the Cardinals, who are moving on without Carson Steele but have a talented Marquez Cooper to plug in at running back. Quarterback John Paddock is gone, so the Cardinals will likely turn to transfer Layne Hatcher. He has experience, albeit in different programs (Texas State and Arkansas State). Ball State is also replacing some departed talent at the wideout positions.
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