Sophomore tight end Darius Hill's emergence as a go-to receiver is providing a spark to the Ball State University offense.
The 6-foot-6 Hill leads the team in receiving yards (233) and touchdowns (4), having already eclipsed his totals from last year. In 2005, he recorded only 11 catches for 136 yards and four touchdowns. Ball State coach Brady Hoke said maturity has played a factor in his emergence.
"He's older," he said. "He understands. He runs the ball so much better now after the catch. He's disciplined in what he's doing route-wise. I think our offensive coaches have done a good job of putting him in position where he can be successful."
Hill, who made his only start of the year against Indiana University, said his progression is attributed to the hard work he put in during the offseason.
"I worked real hard in the weight room," he said. "I got a little bigger, added a little bit of weight to my frame. And a lot of speed work and running and stuff."
Hoke also said it's nice to have such a tall target like Hill.
"It's obviously a mismatch to some degree," he said. "Some [defensive backs] are 5-foot-10, 5-foot-11 and rarely will you see a corner who is 6-foot-1. He's tall and he can run. That's one of the things I think he has done better, running and really competing for the football. I didn't think he did that all the time [last year]."
Against Purdue University, the secondary starters were Lewis, Knipp, freshman Eulas Taylor, junior Chris Allen and senior Erik Keys.
INJURIESSophomore cornerback Trey Lewis suffered a concussion Saturday against Purdue in the second quarter, but is expected to play this Saturday against North Dakota State University.
"He just got a little dinged up in the head," Hoke said.
The injury hurts a depleted secondary that is already playing without Trey Buice. Buice will not play Saturday but is expected to return for the Northern Illinois University game.
Also expected back for the NIU game is linebacker Brad Seiss, who started all 11 games at middle linebacker last year. Hoke said there's a chance he'll see some time on the field against the Bison Saturday.
"I don't know for sure but I'm hoping," he said. "That's the best I can tell you. We'll see."
Runningback B.J. Hill, who is battling a recurring ankle injury, is expected to be close to 100 percent this weekend and is expected to receive more carries on Saturday.
FRESH MEATThe injuries to Lewis and Buice, along with Ball State's 4-2-5 defensive scheme, have given two true freshmen an opportunity to play in the defensive secondary. Safety Alex Knipp made his first career start against Purdue and intercepted a Curtin Painter pass, his second pick of the season.
"He's a very heady kid, very smart kid," Hoke said. "He picks things up well and plays fast for a freshman."
After Lewis left with the injury, Terrell Johnson filled in and played well, even though he was tentative at times.
"He's going to be a good football player and he was fine," Hoke said. "Like anything in life, you got to have confidence in what you're doing. When you're not confident because you haven't done it enough yet, I think that's a lot of our problems with our corners."
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