After weeks of winter conditioning following a 5-6 season that produced a Co-MAC West Division Championship, the Ball State football team has been taking the field for spring practices, hoping to lay the basis for the program's first winning season since 1996.
And despite some unseasonable spring weather, head coach Bill Lynch has liked what he's seen so far.
"It's been a really productive spring so far," said Lynch, who is entering his eighth season as head coach of the Cardinals. "We've been battling the weather, but that's all part of it.
"Each team is different from year to year, so we want to get a feel, and set the tempo of personality of this team for the fall.
"We had a good idea coming out of last fall what we had a chance to be good at this season, and that's what we're working on. In other years we were just looking at what we could be good at. We always make some minor adjustments with the offensive and defensive schemes, but nothing major this year."
The 15 days of spring practice which the NCAA permits also allows for a chance for players, particularly those who don't have much (if any) playing experience, to get some game-situation reps in between the end of last season and the start of fall practice.
"You always want to evaluate personnel, so you have a good idea of who you can count on in the fall," Lynch said. "We have a lot of young guys competing for key spots, especially at wide receiver and defensive line."
Not all the personnel can be evaluated, however, as 21 freshmen will be joining the team when fall practice opens. The 22nd member of the class is linebacker Andrico Spates. He graduated from high school early, and is currently enrolled at Ball State and participating in spring drills.
Although Lynch has traditionally redshirted most freshmen, he said they always have a chance to earn playing time in their first season.
"You never know when it comes to redshirting," Lynch said. "I always tell guys that when they come in I want them to be able to compete right away."
Wide receiver may be one those positions that sees freshmen getting playing time in the fall, as Lynch says they are bringing in "three good ones" in Derek Broussard, Chris Jackson and Dante Ridgeway.
As for last year's freshmen that redshirted, Lynch said wide receiver Ryan Hahaj has shown the ability to possibly start. Linebacker Donta Smith and running back Charles Wynn also stood out as scout-teamers last year and have continued to do so this spring, Lynch said.
"Another thing you try and get a lot of in the spring is special teams," Lynch said. "We have a good idea who our kickers are, but to find coverage guys and such is also important."
The Cardinals will conclude spring practice with the annual Cardinal and White Scrimmage, which will be held Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Ball State Stadium.
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