If Ball State University intends to knock off Indiana University on Saturday, stopping the Hoosiers' receivers will be vital.
Indiana returns its top four receivers from a year ago in James Hardy, Marcus Thigpen, Jahkeen Gilmore and James Bailey.
The four combined for 2,046 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. The 6-foot-7 Hardy led the way with 61 catches for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns. Bailey is the number two receiver and Thigpen has moved to running back, where he is the starter.
"I think we've got some match-up problems." Ball State coach Brady Hoke said. "They're very skilled and I think they're big. Bigger than what we're used to. [Eric Deslauriers] from Eastern [Michigan], he's a big receiver and played well. So that's going to be something we're worried about."
Deslauriers had 10 receptions for 129 yards in last Thursday's game against Ball State.
The Cardinal defense will have to step it up also. After giving up more than 450 yards of offense last season, they didn't show much improvement in that category in the opener. The Eagles tallied 435 yards, with quarterback Tyler Jones accounting for 335 of those.
"We ran by the quarterback a couple times and you can't do that," Hoke said. "You got to know your responsibility and you become a bad tackling team when you aren't aggressive. It's nice to win and be able to address those than lose and address them."
Starting outside linebacker Bryant Haines will not miss any playing time after injuring his right thumb during last week's game. He will play the game with a cast on his hand.
Indiana's quarterback, Blake Powers, threw for 192 yards last week before exiting the game with an injury. Unlike Jones, Powers is a drop-back passer and isn't much of a threat on the ground. Last season, Powers threw for 2,305 yards and 22 touchdowns. Hoke said he's one of the top four quarterbacks in the Big Ten Conference.
"I think he's good," Hoke said. "He knows where he's going with the football. He's got a great command of the offense, throws a good ball. And he's got the experience."
In Indiana's 39-20 victory over Western Michigan University on Saturday, the Hoosiers had an interception return and a punt return for a touchdown. Indiana's defense gave up 385 yards of offense. Wide receiver Dante Love said he is looking forward to the chance to play Indiana at home.
"I know they're a good team," Love said. "It's a big opportunity for us to be playing a Big Ten team. But they're probably going to underestimate us so it's going to be a great game."Phil Friend n Chief Reporter
If Ball State University intends to knock off Indiana University on Saturday, stopping the Hoosiers' receivers will be vital.
Indiana returns its top four receivers from a year ago in James Hardy, Marcus Thigpen, Jahkeen Gilmore and James Bailey.
The four combined for 2,046 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. The 6-foot-7 Hardy led the way with 61 catches for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns. Bailey is the number two receiver and Thigpen has moved to running back, where he is the starter.
"I think we've got some match-up problems." Ball State coach Brady Hoke said. "They're very skilled and I think they're big. Bigger than what we're used to. [Eric Deslauriers] from Eastern [Michigan], he's a big receiver and played well. So that's going to be something we're worried about."
Deslauriers had 10 receptions for 129 yards in last Thursday's game against Ball State.
The Cardinal defense will have to step it up also. After giving up more than 450 yards of offense last season, they didn't show much improvement in that category in the opener. The Eagles tallied 435 yards, with quarterback Tyler Jones accounting for 335 of those.
"We ran by the quarterback a couple times and you can't do that," Hoke said. "You got to know your responsibility and you become a bad tackling team when you aren't aggressive. It's nice to win and be able to address those than lose and address them."
Starting outside linebacker Bryant Haines will not miss any playing time after injuring his right thumb during last week's game. He will play the game with a cast on his hand.
Indiana's quarterback, Blake Powers, threw for 192 yards last week before exiting the game with an injury. Unlike Jones, Powers is a drop-back passer and isn't much of a threat on the ground. Last season, Powers threw for 2,305 yards and 22 touchdowns. Hoke said he's one of the top four quarterbacks in the Big Ten Conference.
"I think he's good," Hoke said. "He knows where he's going with the football. He's got a great command of the offense, throws a good ball. And he's got the experience."
In Indiana's 39-20 victory over Western Michigan University on Saturday, the Hoosiers had an interception return and a punt return for a touchdown. Indiana's defense gave up 385 yards of offense. Wide receiver Dante Love said he is looking forward to the chance to play Indiana at home.
"I know they're a good team," Love said. "It's a big opportunity for us to be playing a Big Ten team. But they're probably going to underestimate us so it's going to be a great game."
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