FOOTBALL: Spring game exposes offensive issues

Fans inside Scheumann stadium waited patiently for a glimpse of what they hope will be an explosive Ball State offense next fall.

With the end of the spring game drawing near, quarterback Jack Milas dropped back and shuffled to his left. Well protected, he launched a deep ball that fell over wide receiver Shane Belle’s right shoulder and was caught, eliciting a sudden burst of cheering from the crowd.

It was one of few offensive plays that created energy among fans.

Against a swarming Cardinal defense, the offense failed to score a touchdown in 19 possessions. Players often weren’t on the same page, leading to missed opportunities.

“We weren’t really in sync,” Milas said. “Right now we’ve got four quarterbacks going so every snap is going to be a little different with each kid.”

It’s considered normal for the defense to be a step ahead of the offense during the spring, and Milas said that’s the case with Ball State’s offense.

On the second play of the afternoon, quarterback Ozzie Mann dropped back and was intercepted by Dae’shaun Hurley, who jumped the route and returned it to the two-yard line. Three consecutive run calls later, the defense stuffed the offense again, forcing them to settle for a field goal.

Mann finished 7 of 12 and Milas was 10 of 26, but many incompletes were due to communication errors, a sign that the offense is trying to find rhythm and more importantly, a starting quarterback.

Late in the third quarter with Ball State in the red zone, Belle ran a quick curl route and turned at the goal line. Milas expected him to keep running, and sailed the ball well over his head.

The mistakes will decrease as the quarterbacks get more playing time their targets, but wide receiver KeVonn Mabon was optimistic about where the offense is headed.

“Our quarterbacks are inexperienced but I thought they made a lot of good reads and good throws,” he said. “Our defense has a lot of experience and I thought it played into the success they had on that side of the ball.”

Mabon was Ball State’s most consistent receiver and one of the bright spots for the offense, hauling in six catches while showing no ill-effects of the broken collarbone he suffered last season. He leapt high for a reception in the third quarter, then turned and made two defenders miss on his way to a first down.

“I love having [Mabon] and Jordan Williams out there,” Milas said. “They’re a huge part of the offense and having them makes things more comfortable.”

Even running back Jahwan Edwards, a workhorse for the Cardinals last fall, struggled to find running room as the defensive line quickly sliced through blockers. He finished with 26 yards on 13 carries, and the offense allowed six tackles for losses and two sacks.

The coaches watched both quarterbacks intently, with Mann and Milas getting equal playing time with the first team. Milas had more than double the passing attempts of his counterpart.

Head coach Pete Lembo said he doesn’t expect to have a starter named by the end of spring, and the competition could continue into the summer.

Breaking down the spring game

Final score:

Defense: 44

Offense: 22

Key moments:

• The Ball State defense was dominant for the majority of the spring game. Quarterback Ozzie Mann was picked off by Dae’shaun Hurley on the second play, setting the tempo and not letting the offense into the end zone during the game.

• The offensive line was overwhelmed by the defense’s blitzes and struggled in run blocking. The defense finished with six tackles for losses and two sacks.

• KeVonn Mabon is showing no ill effects of his previously broken collarbone. The wide receiver led Ball State with six receptions; no one else had more than three. He was physical, came back for the ball to make catches and made two defenders miss on a catch in the third quarter.

• The offense was out of sync. There were plenty of missed block and throws that fell in front of and behind receivers. Twice, quarterback Jack Milas tried to throw a fade, while his receiver ran a quick curl route and the ball sailed incomplete.

• The lone explosive offensive highlight came on the final series, when Milas dropped a deep pass over wide receiver Shane Belle’s left shoulder for 71 yards.

Key player stats:

QB	Ozzie Mann	7-12, 43 yards, 1 interception
QB	Jack Milas	10-26, 144 yards
QB	Kyle Kamman	2-8, 9 yards
QB	David Morrison	3-6, 38 yards
RB	Jahwan Edwards	13 attempts, 26 yards
RB	Teddy Williamson	10 attempts, 20 yards
WR	KeVonn Mabon	6 receptions, 42 yards
WR	Cwynnettie Brown	3 receptions, 43 yards
WR	Shane Belle	2 receptions, 75 yards