Ball State is at 4-0 and has what some people consider the greatest team in the program's history. However, now it's time to determine the Cardinals' Dream Team, comprised of the best players in the team's 84-year history. Below is the Daily News' projected starting lineup:
Defense
HENRY HALLKEN KREMER - Defensive lineFrom 1975 through 1978 Ken Kremer recorded 51 tackles for loss, which is tied for the second-most in Ball State history. The Associated Press named Kremer a third team All-American in 1978. The defensive tackle was first team all-Mid-American Conference in 1977 and 1978 in addition to being the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 1978. He also played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1979-84 after they drafted him in the seventh round.
RUSH BROWN - Defensive lineAfter finishing his time with the Ball State Cardinals, Rush Brown continued his football career with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1981 through 1983. The defensive tackle made 51 tackles for a loss while at Ball State from 1976 through 1979, which is tied for the second most in program history. He earned first team All-MAC honors in 1978 and 1979, in addition to being a Newspaper Enterprise Association second team all-American in 1979.
ART STRINGER - Defensive lineArt Stringer was one of the first four Ball State players to earn All-MAC honors in 1975 after the Cardinals joined the league in 1973. The defensive end, who was a ninth-round selection in the 1977 NFL draft, played for the Houston Oilers from 1977 through 1981 after his collegiate career.
GREG GARNICA - LinebackerOnly one Ball State football player has ever been a MAC Player of the Year more than once - Greg Garnica. The linebacker was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 1987, 1988 and 1989. He was also a second team ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-American in 1988 and 1989. Garnica has the most tackles in Ball State history with 689. He is also second in fumble recoveries with six and fourth with 11 interceptions.
KELLY GEORGE - LinebackerWhile at Ball State from 1979-82, Kelly George forced a Cardinals'-record 10 fumbles. The linebacker also recorded 24 sacks, which is the second-most in program history. Thirteen of these sacks came in 1982, which is a Ball State record. As a senior in 1982 George earned first team All-MAC honors after being second team All-MAC the previous season.
KEVIN JOHNSON - LinebackerKevin Johnson was only with Ball State for two seasons, but he made his presence felt during his abbreviated time with the team. The linebacker holds the record for most tackles in a season with 204 in 1993, his first year at Ball State. The next year he recorded 196 tackles, which is the second-most in Cardinals' history.
SHAFER SUGGS - SecondaryShafer Suggs holds both the single-season and career interception records at Ball State. In 1974 Suggs intercepted eight passes. From 1972 through 1975 he intercepted 14 passes. The defensive back was one of the first Cardinals to earn first team All-MAC honors in 1975, the year in which he was the conference's Defensive Player of the Year. The Associated Press also named him second team All-American in 1975.
BLAINE BISHOP - SecondaryBlaine Bishop played in the NFL for 10 seasons after his Ball State career as a member of the Tennessee Titans from 1993-2001 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002. During his three years as a Ball State Cardinal the defensive back was second team All-MAC in 1990 and 1992.
JUSTIN BERIAULT - SecondaryIn 2003 and 2004 Justin Beriault earned first team All-MAC honors to finish his career with Ball State, which lasted from 2001 through 2004. The year before Beriault earned the first team honors as a safety, he was second team all-MAC as a linebacker.
TERRY SCHMIDT - SecondaryFrom 1971 through 1973 Terry Schmidt intercepted 13 passes and returned them for 150 yards. Both marks are third-best in Ball State history. The defensive back earned first team All-American honors in 1973 from Football News and Kodak. After his career with the Cardinals, Schmidt played with the New Orleans Saints in 1974 and 1975 and with the Chicago Bears 1976 through 1984.
Offense
NATE DAVISMARCUS MERRIWEATHER - HalfbackMerriweather rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a season three times, including a school-record 1,618 yards in 2002, to finish his career as Ball State's all-time leading rusher with 4,002 yards. In addition, he had 19 games when he rushed for at least 100 yards, and he had 34 career rushing touchdowns, both school records.
BERNIE PARMALEE - HalfbackParmalee is second on the school's all-time rushing yards list with 3,483. In 1987 he had a career-high 1,064 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns as he was named the MAC Freshman of the Year. He also won a MAC Championship in 1989.
DANTE RIDGEWAY - Wide receiverDespite declaring for the NFL Draft after his junior season, Ridgeway owns the school record for career receiving yards with 3,030. During the final season in 2004, he had a school-record 105 receptions and 1,399 receiving yards. The St. Louis Rams drafted Ridgeway in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.
DANTE LOVE - Wide receiverLove ended his college career with 2,778 career receiving yards, second-most in Ball State history. During last season, Love had 2,690 all-purpose yards and 1,000 kickoff return yards to set the single-season conference record. Also, at the time of his career-ending injury last week, he led the nation in receiving yards.
DARIUS HILL - Tight endWith eight regular-season games remaining in his career, Hill already has the school record for most career receiving touchdowns with 27 -¡- three more than second-place Brian Oliver. He also has 2,040 receiving yards, fourth-most in school history. Love was John Mackey Award semifinalist for the nation's best tight end last season and is on the watch list this season.
ROBERT BREWSTER - Offensive lineEntering his senior season, Brewster was named to the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list, which is given to the nation's best linemen. Brewster was a first team all-MAC selection last season, as the Cardinals led the MAC in passing yards and averaged 31.5 points per game, third-best in the conference.
OSCAR LUBKE - Offensive lineAs a senior, Lubke was named to the 1967 American Football Coaches Association First Team. During his four-year college career, Lubke played in two bowl games and was a member of the 1965 team, the last team to finish the season without a loss. In addition, the New Orleans Saints drafted him in the 17th round of the 1968 NFL Draft.
TONY ROUSH - Offensive lineFor two consecutive years, Roush was selected to the All-MAC First Team. Roush was named to the conference team as a junior in 1995 and as a senior in 1996. In his final season, Ball State won its last conference championship and lost 18-15 to Nevada in the Las Vegas Bowl.
RICK CHITWOOD - Offensive lineSince Ball State joined the program in 1973, the Cardinals have had one center named to the All-MAC First Team: Chitwood. During his senior season in 1983, Chitwood was named to the team. He was also a team captain that year as the Cardinals finished the season 6-5, their best record in Chitwood's college career.
TODD WRIGHT - Offensive lineWright received All-MAC First Team honors twice during his career at Ball State. Wright was named to the all-conference team in 1989 and as a senior in 1990. In addition, he was a team captain and won a conference championship and the California Raisin Bowl in 1989.
Special Teams
JOHN DIETTRICHBRAD MAYNARD - PunterIn his Ball State career, Brad Maynard garnered more All-America honors than any Cardinal in program history. The punter earned 16 all-America awards, including 13 first team honors. He also was first team all-Mid-American Conference in 1994, 1995 and 1996. His 44.2 yards-per-punt average is best in Ball State history. Maynard has played 12 years in the NFL for the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears, his current team.
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