Unlike previous seasons, when Ball State University’s starting quarterback was in question at the start of the season, the Cardinals entered this year knowing who it would be. The depth chart hasn’t changed since last week, but the trio that traveled last weekend to Iowa — including the starter — didn’t show any ability to lead the team.
All three quarterbacks played at Iowa, but only threw for a combined 93 yards.
Starting quarterback Joey Lynch played all of the first half, but backup Warren Suess took over five minutes into the third quarter, and Cole Stinson played in one series at the start of the fourth.
“We didn’t think they played very well,” coach Brady Hoke said.
Lynch completed six passes in 10 attempts for 37 yards but was sacked three times. Suess received the majority of playing time in the second half, completing five passes on 12 attempts for 56 yards. His longest throw was a 31-yard strike to Terry Moss.
“Joey made some mistakes he usually doesn’t make,” Hoke said. “Warren got in there and did a couple of good things right. He’s got to keep the ball in the fields.”
Stinson’s lone attempted pass was incomplete to freshman Chris Clancy.
“He’s got to be more productive when he’s got an opportunity,” Hoke said. “I know he didn’t get as much playing time as Warren, but he’s got to take advantage of those opportunities.”
A young offensive line — four starters were freshmen — gave little time for the trio to deliver the ball accurately.
“There were a couple plays where we’ve got guys open, but the quarterback is running for his life,” Hoke said. “It’s hard to throw in that situation.”
The offensive line’s youth didn’t give the running attack much of a chance to produce, and in turn, Iowa’s defense was never kept honest.
“I think we had a good plan going in,” Lynch said. “It all goes down to fundamentals and doing the technique that we’re taught to do. I don’t think we did a great job with that.”
The trip to Iowa was a homecoming for Suess. He was born and raised in Iowa, and his father played for coach Hayden Fry and the Hawkeyes from 1978-1980.
“It was a really good time,” Suess said. “It was fun to come back to my home state and play in the same stadium that my dad played in well over 20 years ago.”
Ball State managed just 35 passing yards in the first half but 22 total yards. Freshmen Jovens Degage and B.J. Hill rushed for 12 yards combined in the first half, but Lynch ran for a loss of 25 yards.
“I give them all the credit in the world,” Lynch said.
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