While there were some bright spots in 2003, shortcomings in someaspect of the kicking game were the more common sight for BallState.
Short punts. Measly returns. Breakdowns in coverage.
Brady Hoke vowed to emphasize special teams more in 2004, to doa better job of coaching it.
Whether he has or not is all opinion, but in two games theresults have been, at best, mixed.
Against Boston College, punter Reggie Hodges averaged 44 yards,with seven of his 10 kicks stopping inside the 20. Brian Jacksonwas perfect on three field goal attempts, and the Cardinals forceda safety on BC's first punt attempt.
At Purdue, Hodges also averaged 40-plus yards on sevenboots.
But the Cards also allowed Will Blackmon to return a kickoff 96yards for the touchdown that put Boston College ahead for good latein the first half. Then the Boilermakers' Dorien Bryant returnedthe opening kickoff 53 yards, immediately setting the tone inSaturday's 59-7 demolition.
"It's just one guy getting out of line or gets knocked down ordoesn't get off a block," Hoke said, "and when you've got atalented return man, that's a problem."
On the flip side, Ball State has had some struggles in its kickreturn, averaging 14.3 yards per return. Terry Moss is averging16.7 on nine returns, with bests of 26 and 31 yards.
Hoke hinted that personnel changes in kick coverage and blockingcould be made this week in practice to boost those areas.
More disappointing, though, was that Purdue also broke throughtwice to block a Hodges punt attempt, both times leading totouchdowns.
"When you look at the blocked punts, it's probably guys tryingto do too much -- being selfless and trying to help a teammateinstead of worrying about fundamentals and good technique."
Last season, Philip Ems had three punts blocked. In his firstthree years punting, Hodges had just three kicks blocked -- andnone in 2002.
RIDGEWAY WATCH
Wide receiver Dante Ridgeway corraled four passes at Purdue,giving him 12 on the season and 145 in his career. The junior needsjust two catches at Missouri to pass Deon Chester as the school'sall-time leader in receptions.
HOMECOMING
Three Ball State starters hail from the Show Me State. Seniordefensive tackle Conrad Slaughter is from Ladue High School in St.Louis. Outside linebacker Anthony Corpuz and offensive tackle AdamRothstein hail from the suburbs of Fenton and Chesterfield,respectively.
Three other players on the roster are also from Missouri --redshirt freshman safety Eddie Burk (Florissant), freshman receiverDarius Hill (Blue Springs) and freshman lineman Brian Trowman (BlueSprings).
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