MOBILE, Ala. - One of Ball State University's best weapons this season, senior punter Chris Miller, has also been one of the team's least used.
No punter in the Mid-American Conference has punted fewer times than Miller's 37 attempts. The first team All-American is expected even less time on the field Tuesday when Ball State, with its top-ranked scoring offense in the MAC, plays the University of Tulsa in the GMAC Bowl.
In a game featuring two explosive, high-scoring offenses, Miller said he knows special teams could be the deciding factor. With the potential for fewer opportunities, it's even more important for him to not botch one punt.
"It makes me more mentally tough and think about consistency and just pinning [the opposing offense in bad field position]," Miller said. "It doesn't matter about average or anything, it only matters what I can do for the team. When I only get a couple times on the field per game, you've got to commit on each one. You have to make sure each punt is a good punt."
While Miller has fewer punts than any of his peers in the MAC, Tulsa's 29 punts are the fewest in the college football this season.
It's a byproduct of having the No. 2 scoring offense in the country averaging 47.2 points per game.
"The punt team and the kickoff coverage team, which we really haven't been that good this year on, are two big keys," coach Stan Parrish said. "If we can make them drive 10 yards further each time, that will help us out immensely."
Miller and his teammates need little more motivation for Tuesday's game than the chance to win the first bowl game in Ball State football's 84-year history. But playing his final game in a Cardinal uniform, Miller said, one of the most decorated Cardinals players ever wants to end his career with a big performance.
"I'm just going to go out for this game just like I have for the past four years," Miller said. "I've just got to make the best out of my opportunity and try to put together everything I've learned at Ball State in my career."
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