If Saturday's 41-20 victory against Kent State University was any indication, Ball State University will be able to find players who can step up and fill the void left in the wake of Dante Love's career-ending injury.
Freshman Briggs Orsbon filled the possession receiver role, hauling in 10 catches for 112 yards. Sophomore Myles Trempe has become a consistent deep threat catching a 31-yard touchdown against Kent State -¡- his second-straight game with at least that long of a touchdown reception. Then there was Torieal Gibson, who replaced Love as the kick returner for Ball State and averaged almost 33 yards per return against Kent State, racking up 97 yards on three returns.
"All those guys have really been building themselves and working hard to get to that point," coach Brady Hoke said. "It's nice to have guys who work hard and guys who come out every day to practice hard.
"Right now this is probably the most quality depth we've had in the skill positions offensively."
Until this week, Orsbon was a small part of the depth in the wide receiver core. In the first four games, Orsbon collected nine catches. With the 10 catches against Kent State, he more than doubled his career total.
No other Cardinal had more than three catches.
Despite his breakout game as replacement for Love, Orsbon said, he has a long way to go until he will be as good as Love.
"He's a great role model for me," he said. "Later on in my career I hope to be as good as he is, but right now I'm just a freshman."
Like Love before him, Orsbon said he needs to improve upon his blocking ability. Love bettered his blocking abilities when he was asked to run more physical drills before his senior year. Now it is Orsbon who will try to match Love's blocking statistics.
"One of the biggest things I need to work on is my blocking," he said. "[MiQuale Lewis], Cory Sykes, if they bounce outside, the receivers need to be able to block for them downfield."
Perhaps the biggest play of the game came from another freshman wide receiver. When Kent State scored to make the score 14-7, before halftime it was Gibson who returned the ensuing kickoff 66 yards, giving Ball State the field possession it needed to make it 21-7 at halftime.
Hoke said it was big for the Cardinals' momentum.
"It was great to see Tori get in there," he said. "To see him come out and get that return and give us some momentum and great field position was great."
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
