In the middle of Muncie's summer heat, the last thing senior cornerbacks B.J. Hill, Trey Buice and Trey Lewis wanted to do was lead their defense through conditioning drills.
But the trio were fighting through the middle of a heated positional battle. So after each whistle, the three players jumped back in line, ready for one more excruciating repetition.
"He wanted the competition between us three to be the biggest story on the team," Buice said of coach Brady Hoke. "That way, people on the team could be like, 'Those three are working extra hard. Those three are pushing each other to become better athletes.'"
Buice and Hill won the two starting spots, forcing Lewis to the sideline as the team's nickleback. In his first three years, Lewis had missed two starts in 36 games and never had reason to doubt his job security. He tied Hill for fourth in the conference with four interceptions last year, and he said he felt even better entering his final season.
"It was definitely a role that I wasn't used to," Lewis said, "but I had to get used to it because it was a better job for the team. The team needed me at that position, and so I was willing to step in and play it."
It's the intense competition that has led to Ball State University's three cornerbacks being considered among the best in the conference. The Cardinals led the conference last season with 19 interceptions, 11 of which came from Hill, Lewis and Buice.
Buice said the distinction of being three of the best cornerbacks in the league is something all three take a lot of pride in.
"Competition makes you a better person," Buice said. "[Strength and conditioning] coach [Aaron] Wellman had a saying over the summer, it was, 'Iron sharpens iron.' So we just looked to sharpen each other mentally and physically so we could be the best corners in the conference."
If Ball State's cornerbacks are the best in the conference, each player offers a different set of skills. Hill, who also returns punts for the Cardinals, is the fastest of the three players. Lewis is the biggest, measuring six feet, 190 pounds. Buice is the better tackler and provides a more physical presence against the run.
"Out of the three cornerbacks we have, any one of us could've started," Buice said. "There's not too many things that separate us. ... On any given day, you can see any pair of us on the field at the same time."
Lewis said he's gotten more comfortable with the nickleback position after every game, and he was Ball State's second-leading tackler Saturday against the University of Akron with eight. Even though Lewis no longer starts every game, Hoke said, the senior is still an important member of the defense.
"We need every guy we got on that defense, and he's a big part of it," Hoke said. "He's a great leader for us, and he's got great character. He's a guy who's come a long way, and he's all for this team."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
