Jason Pinkston has drawn some difficult coverage assignments in the last two years as he has blossomed into an All-Mid-American Conference cornerback for Ball State.
He started this season with the assignment of locking down Indiana's Damarlo Belcher, who is on the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the best receiver in college football. Last year, Pinkston was asked to cover Toledo's Eric Page, another member of the Biletnikoff watch list.
This week, Pinkston faces another steep challenge. Western Michigan wide receiver Jordan White is making a case as the best receiver in the MAC, already amassing 992 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in eight games.
"I've heard he's one of the best receivers in the conference," Pinkston said. "Throughout my career, I've played against some good receivers."
Coach Pete Lembo said limiting the damage Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder and White cause Saturday is central to Ball State's game plan. Lembo doesn't see shutting White down completely as a realistic goal. Instead, keeping him from breaking the big plays that have haunted Ball State this year is the focus.
Because of White's flexibility within the Broncos' offense and the Cardinals' rare use of man-to-man defense, Lembo said Pinkston won't be asked to cover him on every play. That will increase the pressure on Ball State's other defensive backs when they are assigned to White.
"Some guys are going to have to step up and make plays," Lembo said. "That ball is going to be in the air a bunch.
Hopefully we can generate some pass rush and cover better than we have the last week or so."
While Western Michigan has other talented wide receivers, White accounts for 45.7 percent of its receiving yards.
White's percentage of his team's receiving yards is by far the largest in the MAC. The next closest is Miami sophomore Nick Harwell, who accounts for 38.5 percent of the RedHawks' receiving yards.
But Lembo is leery of double-teaming White because it would make the Cardinals more susceptible to the Broncos' rushing attack.
"When you have a go-to guy like that — and as much as they can move him around — it creates a lot of problems," Lembo said.
Pinkston covered White last year when Western Michigan beat Ball State 45-16 at Homecoming. White had a season-low four catches for 96 yards in the game. Pinkston remembers White using his body well to get open.
Pinkston is ready for the opportunity to play White again. When White's name came up in an interview with Pinkston after practice Tuesday, Pinkston's face lit up.
"I'm looking forward to the match-up," he said. "I'm definitely looking forward to it."
Read More
'It’s a full circle type of thing:' Wapahani's Isaac Andrews, Delta's D'Amare Hood compete in Hoosier Reunion All-Star Classic
By Zach Carter / 12 hours agoWapahani senior Isaac Andrews and Delta senior D'Amare Hood played for the Terhune Tigers in the Hoosier Reunion All-Star Classic at Hoosier Gym Saturday afternoon.
Capturing The County - Episode 19
By Zach Carter and Adam Altobella / YesterdayIn this episode, Zach and Adam discuss the future of the Ball State Daily News and recap the Delaware County sports action from the school year.
Cardinals chase Mid-American Conference crown at 2024 men's golf MAC Championships
By Nick Shelton / YesterdayHeading one hour west to Westfield, Indiana, Ball State will have a chance to redeem last season’s runner-ups with a MAC title. The Cardinals will tee off April 26 to begin their three-day event at Chatham Hills.
