While the Ball State offense spent the offseason finding a newquarterback and improving its running game, wide receiver hascertainly not been an area of much concern -- and it's obviouswhy.
"The receivers are probably the strength of our team,"second-year head coach Brady Hoke has said on more than oneoccasion.
The strength starts with junior Dante Ridgeway, whose 2003season will be tough to match, let alone better. Ridgeway's 82receptions blew away the school single-season record, while his 10touchdowns tied for No. 1 and his 1,024 yards was second-best.
At 6-1, 199 pounds, Ridgeway is not the biggest receiver, nordoes he have exceptional speed. But the junior runs good routes,has a knack for getting open, and is undoubtedly the go-toreceiver. Over the off-season, he worked on improving hishands.
"Dante Ridgeway had an excellent year a year ago," Hoke said."He's had a very good summer."
Even without Ridgeway, the cupboard is stocked well enough.Junior Ryan Hahaj (29 catches, 324 yards, two touchdowns) gave wayto sophomore Bryan Williamson (36-481-1) as the other starter, butthey will share the job in 2004. The 6-3, 204-pound Williamson wasnamed the team's most valuable freshman last year.
Terry Moss, a 5-10, 182-pound sophomore, had one catch for 17yards and will be the No. 4 man. Senior Jason Barnes sat out lastseason after having knee surgery, but in 2002 he caught 15 passesfor 169 yards and two TDs.
"With Ryan Hahaj, Bryan Williamson and Terry Moss [plusRidgeway] we have a good group of four," Hoke said. "Jason Barnesadds depth and toughness."
All the returning production allowed Hoke and his staff to movejunior Larry Bostic, last year's second-leading receiver, torunning back, his position in high school. Bostic will likely startthere in the season opener on Sept. 2.
The tight ends, senior Mark Franklin and sophomore MikeSteinhaus, combined for 18 catches, 117 yards and five touchdownsin 2003.
"I like our two tight ends," Hoke said. "Mark Franklin has beena great leader for us. Mike Steinhaus played quite a bit as afreshman. He's a guy who could have a bright future because heloves to play and he's got a nastiness in what he plays for."
Hoke is also excited about the potential of freshmen DanDunford, Darius Hill and Louis Johnson.
Being the team strength, the BSU staff has looked to thereceivers to elevate the overall performance.
"Our coach tells us to go out there and compete and bring ourother positions ... to our level so our level can rise as a team,"Ridgeway said. "I think we all complement each other. We've gotsome speed and some height out there."
That speed and height is a welcome sight for sophomore JoeyLynch as he settles in at quarterback for the Cardinals.
"A new quarterback coming in and having an experienced group ofwide receivers," Lynch said, "it's going to make my job a loteasier."
"I've just got to do my part and get us in the right place. OnceI drop back and make my reads I know they'll be open and catch theball."
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