FOOTBALL: Ball State thrives without two key players

Losing a 1,000-yard running back and the team’s sack leader to injury could leave some teams devastated.

Ball State found itself in that situation as Jahwan Edwards and Jonathan Newsome were ruled out against Army Saturday afternoon. But it didn’t stop the Cardinals from piling a 40-14 rout at Scheumann Stadium, giving the team its first 2-0 start since the 2008 season.

Head coach Pete Lembo said the performance was attributed to being prepared if players aren’t able to go.

“We’re working hard to build our depth,” Lembo said. “We’re slowly but surely becoming a deeper team because our retention has been outstanding. But we still have a ways to go.”

Edwards was ruled out with concussion-like symptoms. Newsome didn’t play because of an ankle sprain. Both didn’t practice in the week leading up to Saturday’s game.

Banks made his first career start against Army (1-1) and was used immediately in the offense. He ran the ball five times in Ball State’s first series for 25 yards, including a 10-yard run up the middle to tie the game at 7-7 early in the first quarter.

His second touchdown of the game came on a 6-yard run in the second quarter to put the Cardinals up 27-7, part of a 37 consecutive points streak against the Black Knights.

Banks finished with 51 rushing yards on 17 carries with the two touchdowns, but he also fumbled in the third quarter that led to an Army touchdown.

“When my number’s called I got to answer,” Banks said. “Besides the fumble I had, I feel like I stepped up.”

Army hit Ball State early with a 71-yard touchdown run by Larry Dixon up the middle 56 seconds into the game. Sacks are rare to get in Army’s triple-option offense, but getting stops in the backfield was vital to Ball State’s defense. Ayres, Nate Ollie and Zack Ryan filled the void left with the absent Newsome.

Ryan led Ball State’s defense with 11 tackles. Ollie and Ayers both had eight tackles, including a sack by Ollie.

“We had a sense of urgency that we had to do our job,” Ollie said. “We just had to make plays.”

The only instance Ball State looked like it missed having Edwards was a first and goal from Army’s 3-yard line. Ball State couldn’t get into the end zone after three straight runs by Banks and settled for a Scott Secor 19-yard field goal.

The goal line offense is usually when Edwards uses his 5-feet-10-inch, 220-pound frame the best. But Lembo said the line didn’t help Banks get into the end zone.

“We should be able to put anybody in there and get three yards,” Lembo said. “I’m looking forward to see what we did, what we didn’t do and why we couldn’t get seven (points) there instead of three.”

Teddy Williamson benefitted from Edwards’ absence as well. The true freshman running back got 13 carries, running for a team-high 58 yards.

The more carries he got in the game, the more Williamson looked like a veteran rather than a freshman playing in his second career game.

“He’s exactly the guy we hoped he would be when we recruited him,” Lembo said. “He’s earning more and more trust everyday.”

Lembo didn’t say when Edwards and Newsome were expected to return. At the very least Edwards could be back for next week’s game against North Texas.

But after thumping Army without its two main contributors, Ball State won’t be worried if both happen to be out again on Sept. 14.