Ball State pass defense ranks 117th in country

Sophomore cornerback Darius Conaway attempts to stop a play during the game against Eastern Michigan on Nov. 22 at Scheumann Stadium. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY
Sophomore cornerback Darius Conaway attempts to stop a play during the game against Eastern Michigan on Nov. 22 at Scheumann Stadium. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

Defensive statistics

Points per game allowed - 46.0

First downs allowed - 47

Passing yards per game allowed - 338.5

Passing TDs allowed - 7


It hasn't been able to stop the pass.

The Cardinals sit at 117th in passing yards allowed among 127 qualified Football Bowl Subdivision teams, according to ESPN.com. They are giving up almost 340 yards per game through the air.

“We have to stick to the plan," head coach Pete Lembo said. "We’ve got a relatively inexperienced group, so we need to continue to get those guys' reps and continue to bring them along everyday in practice."

Not only have the Virginia Military Institute Keydets and Texas A&M Aggies thrown with relative ease against Ball State, but they have done it at an efficient clip. The Cardinals’ defense is allowing a 71.8 percent completion percentage and 12.1 yards per completion.

As Lembo points out, the secondary is currently going through a youth movement after last season’s departures.

Two of Ball State's more experienced defensive backs did not play in the opener against VMI. Darius Conaway, the team's top returning corner, stood out against Texas A&M after missing the first game.

“We need to continue to bring that group along and create competition," Lembo said. "We have a couple young corners in Marc Walton and Armani McNulty that have bright futures ahead of them.”

Injuries have also played a role in the Cardinals' struggles so far this season.

“We had some guys that were nicked up in the first game,” defensive coordinator Kevin Kelly said. “We just have to do a better job overall.”

One player who has returned from injury is redshirt freshman Lamont McPhatter, who can play both cornerback and safety. McPhatter was battling a hamstring injury during camp which hampered his availability, but he has impressed recently in practice. 

The coaching staff has high hopes for all three of the underclassmen mentioned.

Ball State begins conference play this week on the road against Eastern Michigan. The Eagles (1-1) come in with momentum after beating Wyoming 48-29.

After losing their starting quarterback to a broken jaw, backup Brogan Roback has thrown for 411 yards and three touchdowns in six quarters of play. Kelly has noticed Roback’s play on film, and is sure he will test the Cardinals' secondary.

“He’s doing very well,” Kelly said. “He’s completing about 65 percent of his passes and has only thrown one pick. We’re very impressed by his performance so far.”

Lembo recognizes his team's struggles on defense, and said the key will be getting everyone in synch with one another.

“We’ve got to get them cohesive," Lembo said. "We’ve got them playing on the same page with everybody else, and we’ve got to keep generating a pass-rush up front. The more we do that, the better off we will be.”

Comments

More from The Daily






This Week's Digital Issue


Loading Recent Classifieds...