Defensive strugglesIt was a rough opening night for the Ball State University defense.
The Cardinals allowed 20 points to the University of North Texas, but the visitors rolled up 512 yards of total offense.
The bright spot on the defense was the play of safeties Sean Baker and Alex Knipp. They combined to make 24 tackles, and Baker added an interception in the end zone.
Knipp led the Cardinals with 13 tackles, and Baker was second with 11.
Tackling was a problem for Ball State all night, as North Texas shed many attempts at tackles. The Cardinals did not do much hitting in fall camp this year, in accordance with coach Stan Parrish's NFL philosophy.
Parrish said he didn't think that was the reason his team struggled Thursday night.
"I think we practiced much like we've always practiced here," Parrish said. "We've got to get better and we'll make some changes. We aren't going to accept what we think isn't good effort, or good technique or the best a guy can do."
Freshman follies Three true freshmen were expected to have significant contributions in their first college game, but only receiver Seth White made the kind of effect the Cardinal fans will remember fondly.
White led the team in receiving with four catches for 47 yards. It could have been an even bigger night, but White ran into some bad luck. In the first half he was the intended receiver when quarterback Kelly Page threw an interception at the 6-yard line, and at one point White collided with the umpire as he was trying to catch a pass.
Linebacker Travis Freeman and running back Eric Williams, were the two other true freshmen who were expected to contribute.
Freeman made one tackle in limited playing time. Parrish said Freeman did not practice well leading up to the game.
"I'm sure he'll get more opportunities," Parrish said.
Williams rushed the ball twice for 13 yards and had a two-yard reception. But he was most notable when he lost a fumble in the fourth quarter that set up a North Texas field goal that gave the Mean Green a 10-point lead. Punter UWith the graduation of All-American punter Chris Miller, upholding the tradition of "Punter U" was left to redshirt freshman Scott Kovanda.
Kovanda punted seven times for a total of 309 yards Thursday, including a 63-yarder. He also pinned the Mean Green inside their own 20 twice. On his second career kick, Kovanda stuck the ball on the 7-yard line.
Kovanda's 63-yard boot ties for the seventh longest punt in Cardinals history. Miller also had a 63-yarder against Central Michigan University in 2007. The record is 78 yards, set by Miller in 2006.
3rd-and-long The Cardinals were 2-of-13 on third-down conversions against North Texas. The 15 percent conversion rate is lower than last year's 42 percent success ratio.
Parrish said Ball State had too many third-and-longs against North Texas.
"On third-and-long it's tough to convert," Parrish said. "I don't have a very good third-and-long package. We've got to do a better job running the ball and not get us in those kinds of third down situations."
Donor honoredLongtime benefactor of the Ball State football program John W. Fisher was honored posthumously before the game Thursday.
Fisher donated $4.35 million to build the Fisher Football Training Complex and $2 million for the construction of Worthen Arena.
Fisher died June 28 at the age of 93.
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