Coach: Mike Neu (Sixth Year)
2020 Results: 7-1 overall record. Cardinals won MAC West and MAC Championship game. They then defeated San Jose State 34-13 in Arizona Bowl.
2021 MAC Media Prediction: First Place MAC West and overall MAC championship winner.
About the Cardinals:
One might say Ball State’s breakout 2020 campaign had its roots in the accumulated frustrations of close losses during the previous season. “Our guys were . . .
After a late-game loss at Miami (OH) in the 2020 opener, the Cardinals made good on their quest. They ran off seven straight wins, capturing a MAC championship and winning a bowl game. They finished 23rd in the final AP Top 25 College Football Poll.
With nearly entire starting units returning on both sides of the ball, the Cardinals are well-equipped to make another run, but they will likely have to keep winning those close games
Here’s more on the Cardinals . . .
>> Ten (full or part time) starters return, and newcomers include running back Carson Steele. He was 2020 Mr. Football in Indiana, piling up 1,659 yards with 31 TDs in his final prep campaign.
>> Although he received just third team All-MAC honors, senior quarterback Drew Plitt was the key component in an offense that averaged 34.2 ppg last year. “He is like a coach on the field,” Neu said, adding that Plitt will once again have a plethora of targets available for BSU’s 2021 quest. The senior connected on 66 percent of his passing attempts, registering 17 touchdown tosses on the way to 2,164 yards while throwing just seven picks lst year.
>> Justin Hall is one of several serious receiving threats on the roster. He pulled in 49 catches for 665 while averaging 95 yards per game and logging four TDs. Yo’Heinz Tyler, meanwhile, registered eight receiving touchdowns. He caught 42 balls aerials for 607 yards. Although Antwan Davis is gone, sophomore Jalen McGaughy is another big target who has flashed big play potential in limited action.
>> The offensive line returns intact and will be trying to improve on protection after having allowing 28 sacks last year. It will also be a key to opening up the run game.
>> Caleb Huntley was a key gog in the Cardinals rushing attack, but he was only available for three games. That opened opportunities for Will Jones and Tye Evans, who provided a total of 636 rushing yards. A healthy run game would only help BSU’s dangerous aerial attack.
DEFENSE:
>> Ball State helped its own cause on numerous occasions via turnovers, and the Cardinals registered a league-best 10 interceptions.
>> BSU allowed just 25.8 points per game (4th MAC) and the defense played big roles during Cardinals' victories over Buffalo (MAC championship) and San Jose State (Arizona Bowl). Holding Buffalo’s vaunted running game 200 yards below its average was a big key in BSU’s title win.
>> The squad’s top six tacklers return, led by a strong linebacking corps. Brandon Martin was a first team All-MAC selection, as was DB Bryce Cosby (62 season hits and and bowl game interception).
>> A focus for 2021 will be to turn up the heat on opposing quarterbacks. The Cardinals surrendered 434.4 opponent passing yards per game in 2020. BSU owned 17 sacks over eight games and sack leader Anthony Ekpe is gone.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
>> Justin Hall earned All-MAC first team honors as a kickoff return specialist.
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>> Jacob Lewis is the new placekicker after going 2-for-3 on limited opportunities last year. Nathan Snyder was second among MAC punters with a 43.6 yard average.
SCHEDULE:
The non-conference tilts include road games at penn State and Wyoming. The Cardinals open at home against Western Illinois Sept. 2 and also host Army after a Sept. 25 home date against Toledo.