Tony Martin spent his summer in the weight room working to improve after his freshman season. While the linebacker added only four pounds, his main goal was to get stronger and faster.
By all accounts, Martin succeeded.
He put his speed on display in Ball State's 27-23 loss to Liberty on Saturday. Martin led the Cardinals with 11 tackles, including two for a loss. The sophomore broke up two passes and was credited with hurrying quarterback Mike Brown once.
Safety Sean Baker may have been the face of Ball State's furious second-half comeback, snaring two interceptions and blocking a field goal, but Martin flew around the field. He always seemed to be near the ball, especially after halftime.
"He had a real good second half," coach Stan Parrish said. "He and Baker and [defensive end Robert] Eddins were the three guys on defense we thought played the best in that game."
Being able to help the defense as it brought the Cardinals within striking distance against the Flames was just what Martin and his teammates hope for every week.
"We want the game in our hands," Martin said. "That's what we're looking for; that's what we play for."
Martin's 11 tackles were one shy of his career high, which he recorded last season against Toledo. That game is the only other time he has led Ball State in tackles.
Despite his performance, Martin is unsure he can call Saturday the best game of his career.
"Maybe statistically," he said. "It's not a win. It doesn't really matter. It doesn't count."
The team-oriented approach isn't a surprise. Since Martin and Travis Freeman entered the lineup in the second week of last season, the Cardinals have not changed their starting linebackers. Martin, Freeman and senior Davyd Jones have started 13 straight games for Ball State, creating chemistry among the three, Martin said.
Freeman described Martin as a smart player who always knows his assignments. But there's more to Martin than just a smart player, there's also his athleticism.
"Tony has always been a great athlete," Freeman said. "I think that game just showed everybody what he's capable of doing."
Parrish, while agreeing with Freeman's assessment of his teammate, expects Martin to get even better throughout the season and his career.
"He's a really good young player," he said. "I hope he's just at the tip of the iceberg."
Read More
Ball State ends 2025 season with loss to Miami in MAC Softball Championship semifinal
By Zach Carter / 20 hours agoBall State ended the year with a 8-0 loss to Miami.
'A blue-collar team:' Ball State run rules Akron in opening game of MAC Softball Championship
By Zach Carter / 3 days agoNo. 4 Ball State topped No. 5 Akron 9-1 in the Cardinals' first game of the Mid-American Conference Softball Championship Wednesday afternoon.
‘A winner:’ Ally Becki reflects on her Ball State women’s basketball career
By Elijah Poe / April 28, 2025The Ball State women’s basketball point guard reflects on her four-year career as a Cardinal.
