Ball State Cardinals

Head Coach

Brady Hoke	6th year
07-08	7-6
MAC	5-2
FCR	63

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - Brady Hoke enters his 6th season as head man and his have increased their win total in each of the past four season. The Cardinals were 7-6 last and received a post season invite, losing 52-30 to Rutgers in the International Bowl. With 16 starters returning including nine on the offensive side Ball State appears poised to make a run for the conference title.

Quarterback - It all starts with 2nd team ALL-MAC quarterback Nate Davis, the junior threw for 3,667 yards with 30 TD’s and only 6 interceptions. He’s an accurate passer who has a strong arm; he also has improved in his reads and distributes the ball to all of his receivers.

Running Backs - At tailback junior MiQuale Lewis missed much of last season due a ACL injury, he rushed for 447 yards with 2 touchdowns and is a capable receiver out of the backfield. Sophomore Frank Edmonds will get carries and will contribute; he had 529 yards and 6 TD’s when he got the chance to step in for Lewis last season.

Receivers - The loaded led by two potential ALL-MAC players in senior wide receiver Dante Love and senior tight end Darius Hill. Love had 100 receptions for 1,396 yards and 11 TD’s, and Hill had 65 catches and 11 TD’s. Sophomore Daniel Ifft will also start on the outside, he had a outstanding spring, and incoming freshman Briggs Orsbon has outstanding speed and may contribute this year. Ball St often goes to a two-tight end set and when they do junior Madaris Grant will lineup and provide another blocker.

Offensive Line - Everyone returns upfront; in left tackle Andre Ramsey, right tackle Robert Brewster and center Dan Gerberry the Cardinals have three seniors who have all started for the past two years and will all be in line for ALL-MAC honors. The other returning starters’ are sophomore Michael Switzer at left guard and at right guard Kyle Cornwell, redshirt freshman Kreg Hunter will also get time upfront. The pass protection has been outstanding, the coaching staff is hoping for improvement in the running game to help give the attack more advice.

Defensive Line - The Cardinals will be young on the D-Line as only one starters return in junior Brandon Crawford at defensive end, he had 60 tackles and eight sacks. As a unit they allowed over 200 yards on the ground a game and 24 rushing TD’s, so this is an area that will need to improve if the Cardinals are to contend for the league tilte.. Joining Crawford on the outside will be sophomore Justin Woodard, at nose tackle will be sophomore Rene Perry and at tackle, junior Drew Duffin.

Linebackers - Following an outstanding spring it appears that sophomore Davyd Jones and senior Wendell Brown will battle for the starting spot in the middle. Starting on the strongside will be senior Kenny Meeks and senior Bryant Haines will be on the weakside. Haines led the team in tackles last season with 125 and was 2nd team All-MAC.

Defensive Backs - Both senior corners return in Trey Lewis and B.J. Hill, Hill was 2nd team All-MAC last season and finished with 5 interceptions. At strong safety junior Alex Knipp returns, he a solid tackler and who earned 3rd team All-MAC honors last season. The lone newcomer to the unit will sophomore Derrick Henry at free safety, senior Trey Buice will contribute off the bench.

Special Teams - At punter junior Chris Miller had a 45.3 average last year and will be in line for All-American honors. The placekicking will be handled by either Ian McGarvey or Jake Hogue, they’re both sophomores and McGarvey appears to have the inside track due to better leg strength. In Dante Love and Darius Hill Ball St has two very capable return men.

Schedule - For the MAC this schedule’s a cakewalk, six home games and the non-conference slate has only Indiana and Navy as potential roadblocks. This team should be on a roll heading into November where they must travel to Miami-Oh and Central Michigan, win one and a conference title will be in their sights. Look for the Cardinals to win 9+ games, the MAC title and be bowl bound once again.