From January until now, much of the talk surrounding thefootball program at Ball State centered around the addition offull-time strength and conditioning Aaron Wellman and theimprovements he has overseen, including team speed and strengthalong the lines.
Thursday night should be a good indicator of how much the teamhas improved in the trenches.
Last year in Chestnut Hill, Mass., Boston College used itssuperiority along the lines to overwhelm Ball State in a 53-29victory. The Cardinals yielded 270 rushing yards while gatheringjust 125 themselves.
Boston College has earned the nickname "O-line University" forthe number of professional linemen it has produced in the lastdecade. Though lacking in experience (two returning starters and noseniors on the two-deep chart), the Eagles are just as big up front(6-6, 314 pounds on the average) and, reputedly, just asphysical.
The defensive line, which returns eight lettermen, is led bysack-master Mathias Kiwanuka, one of the nation's elite ends.
The slated starters on BSU's defensive front average 266.5pounds -- nearly a 50-pound difference to BC's offensive front, butbigger than the 257 average that started in Chestnut Hill lastyear.
Just how will the Cardinals stand up to the Eagles' girth? Byrelying on the basics and using all the able-and-ready.
"The big thing is making sure to rotate some guys in and out,"head coach Brady Hoke said. "You've got to stay fresh and stayhealthy so guys can play fast, play hard. We've got to be greattechnicians and play with great fundamentals."
How much Ball State gives up front will likely be thedetermining factor in how close Thursday's game is -- turnovers andspecial teams being the other biggies.
The Cards don't have to out-rush BC, or even hold the Eaglesunder 100 yards rushing. Just keeping their linemen from dictatingthe game's flow as much as last year will aid immensely in keepingthe game close.
FRESH FACES
Four true freshman cracked the tentative two-deep chart forThursday's game -- all on defense. End Amara Koroma, strong sidelinebacker Wendell Brown, strong safety Trey Lewis and cornerbackRyan Patrick are listed as backups at their respectivepositions.
A fifth true freshman, tailback Adell Givens, could log somecarries behind Larry Bostic and Scott Blair. Another newcomer,junior college transfer Josh Taylor, is listed as the backup at theother cornerback.
NOISE NEEDED
About 7,000 students showed up for last year's season opener --another Thursday night affair. Hoke is looking for another raucouscontingent in two days.
"We need our students," he said. "We need help, we need theirsupport. Like anything else, we're going to fight and fight, andyou never know what happens until the fight's over."
HURTING CARDS
Two expected starters on defense -- senior cornerback TommySchembra and sophomore outside linebacker Brad Seiss -- are outindefinitely with injuries. Schembra has practiced little duringfall camp due to a foot injury, while Seiss is out for possiblyfour games with a broken wrist, which he suffered in earlyAugust.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
