Thanks in large part to his sterling performance againstNorthern Illinois on Oct. 30, sophomore Joey Lynch will start atquarterback for Ball State on Saturday. Head coach Brady Hoke madethe announcement Monday.
Lynch, starting because of true freshman Cole Stinson's ailingshoulder, completed 31 of 48 for 244 yards against the Huskies andspearheaded the second-half comeback, which forced overtime in the38-31 loss.
"Joey, no doubt, is deserving of the opportunity," said Hoke,whose team stands at 1-5 in the Mid-American Conference (1-8overall). "He's done a great job making sound decisions and takingcare of the ball."
Lynch has completed 63 percent of his passes for 623 yards andthree touchdowns, with one interception on the game's last play atAkron. He started the season's first four games, but was replacedafter two series in the fourth game by Stinson.
Stinson then threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns to leadthe Cards to their only victory, 41-14 over Western Michigan. Onthe season he has passed 1,090 yards with five TDs and twopicks.
Hoke said the freshman is healthy and will be ready to play ifneeded Saturday.
Lynch said while it helps to know early in the week that he willbe starting as opposed to backing up, his preparation remains thesame.
"Whether your the first guy or second guy, it doesn't matter,"he said. "If you're the second guy, you're only a play away (fromplaying)."
RUNNERS RETURN
Sophomore walk-on Brenton Martin is still listed as the backupat tailback and fullback for Saturday, but Hoke expects to havereserve running backs Scott Blair (pinched nerve) and Charles Wynn(ankle) back after they missed the Northern Illinois game. Blairhad also missed the game before at Akron.
Serving as backup to freshman Adell Givens, Martin carried twicefor 27 yards and had one reception for 18 yards againstNorthern.
Wynn, a junior, has 178 yards on a team-high 5.2 yards percarry. Blair, who is playing his final home game Saturday, has 107yards.
Junior Ryan Hahaj, who has also missed the last two games with abanged up shoulder, will return to bolster the receiving corps.
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