When the Ball State defense lines up against Eastern Michigan'soffense today, the Eagles' starting quarterback will sound awfullyfamiliar -- but it won't be who the Cardinals played lastseason.
That's because this year's Eagles starting quarterback, MattBohnet, is the brother of last year's starter against theCardinals, Ken Bohnet.
Matt, a junior who transferred from Iowa and sat out last seasonunder NCAA rules, will take the Eagles' snaps -- instead of hisbrother -- in today's matchup. To date, he's played all but onequarter for the Eagles, with Jeff Crooks replacing him in thefourth quarter against then-No. 11 Florida on Sept. 11th.
In his first five games, Matt completed 53 percent of his passesfor 1,113 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's lost four fumbles, thrownfour interceptions and been sacked five times. He's also managed torush 70 times for 313 yards.
In last week's game against Idaho, Matt completed 22 of 43passes for 228 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and aninterception, lost a fumble and was sacked once.
Matt has started over his brother Ken, a sophomore who expectedto take snaps this season as the starting quarterback. Last year,Ken played in six games and started the final three, including a38-14 win over Ball State.
In that game, Ken completed six of nine passes for 52 yards. Healso scored the first touchdown of the game, a one-yard plunge togive the Eagles a 7-0 lead.
Ken finished the season with 39 of 68 passes completed (57percent), good for 400 yards and a 57-percent passing percentage,which was best on the team. Six Eagles threw at least one pass lastseason.
When Matt transferred from Iowa after the 2002 season,then-coach Jeff Woodruff said he didn't want the two brothers to befighting for the starting quarterback spot, so Matt agreed to moveto another position. But upon Woodruff's firing and Jeff Genyk'shiring, Matt was switched back to quarterback.
The move set up a showdown between brothers. Whoeveroutperformed the other in spring practices would be deemed thestarter. When Matt won, Ken said he was disappointed for himself,but happy for his brother because he knew it was best for theteam.
"I didn't expect anything less than me and my brother to have agood battle," Matt said, "but I knew if I went out and played well,that I would be able to become the starter."
Remarkably, the quarterback switch hasn't been a negative intheir relationship. If anything, they've become better friends. Thetwo share an apartment and do everything together, from eating toplaying golf.
"We're able to hang out more on a regular basis," Ken said. "Himbecoming the starter really hasn't changed a whole lot betweenus."
"We were best friends when I transferred and we're best friendsnow," Matt said.
Ken, who's listed as Matt's backup for today's game, has handledthe situation wonderfully, Matt said, and has been supportive ofboth him and the team 100 percent.
"I'm sure he'd like to be out there, but he's learning a lotfrom the sideline, and it'll be very valuable experience," Mattsaid.
In fact, during games Ken helps his brother on the sideline whenthe Eagle's defense is on the field.
"I give him reads (of the opposing team's defense) during thegames," Ken said.
Their parents have been supportive of both, both said, and havetold Ken to keep working hard, and that his time as startingquarterback would come.
"He's going to have a couple of years to play when I'm done,"Matt said. "Maybe we can get a tradition going here."
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