MANN vs. Colgate
- Yards: 203
- Comp: 20-32
- TD: 2
- INT: 1
Ball State football’s new quarterback Ozzie Mann wasn’t asked to put the entire weight of the offense on his shoulders in his first collegiate start.
He threw mostly short slants and quick passes out to the flats, occasionally taking a chance deep, but usually playing it safe in Ball State’s 30-10 win over Colgate on Aug. 30.
Head coach Pete Lembo thought Mann handled the situation well, noting that Ball State didn’t have any false starts or delay of game penalties, and said he thought Mann looked as sharp as he has in practice.
“It felt good, it felt like he was in control of the offense,” Lembo said. “It felt like we were operating how Ball State operates.”
Mann finished the game with 203 yards while throwing 20-for-32, two touchdowns and one interception.
After sitting on the bench for two years and only receiving sporadic playing time while relieving former quarterback Keith Wenning, Mann’s first start couldn’t have come any sooner.
“It was just fun to get out there and compete with the guys,” Mann said. “I’ve waited a long time for this opportunity, so it’s a good time.”
It didn’t take Mann long to find the end zone. Late in the first quarter, he threw a quick screen to wide receiver KeVonn Mabon who broke a tackle and turned up field for a 34-yard score.
The touchdown was the first of Mann’s career, putting Ball State up 10-0 at the time.
Mann’s only interception came on a controversial call halfway through the second quarter. Driving deep into Colgate territory, Mann tossed a ball into the end zone and watched wide receiver Chris Shillings and Colgate defensive back Adam Bridgeforth leap for the ball.
Bridgeforth appeared to initially come down with the ball before Shillings pulled it away, but Colgate was awarded the interception. It was Mann’s only costly blemish on the day, as Colgate would score a touchdown on the resulting possession.
After losing Jordan Williams early to an ankle injury, Mann targeted Mabon often. Mabon finished with 110 of Mann’s 203 yards and 11 receptions, as it was clear the pair was on the same page early during the game.
“I’m pretty comfortable with KeVonn,” Mann said. “Throwing in the off season and throwing during camp, we’ve got to have good chemistry, and I think we’ve got that.”
With 45 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Mann lofted a pass to the corner of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown to Aaron Hepp, giving Ball State a 20-7 lead.
Lembo wasn’t surprised, saying he’s seen Mann make those throws during the off season.
“It was another day at the office for [Mann],” Lembo said. “He identified things well, he was on time.”
Mann said he’ll still be aiming to improve all areas of his game in the upcoming week, but it was nice to get the first start out of the way.
One game down, nearly a full season left to go.
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