Redshirt senior Scott Secor and senior Quintin Cooper chat between plays at the football game against Indiana State on Sept. 13 at Scheumann Stadium. DN PHOTO ALAINA JAYE HALSEY

FOOTBALL: Secor named finalist for award

Ball State football kicker Scott Secor has been named a semifinalist for the 2014 Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicking Award, presented by the Orange Bowl. Secor is one of 20 kickers under consideration for the award, which takes its name after the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, who spent 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Secor’s 21 field goals are tied for first in the nation, and his field goal percentage of .808 is third. Finalists will be announced on Nov.



In a nationally televised contest, Ball State and Northern Illinois battled for the Bronze Stalk on Wednesday evening. The Game, which ran into the night, was mostly dominated by NUI's running offense. DN PHOTO JONATHAN MIKSANEK
SPORTS

FOOTBALL: Tired defense can't hold Northern Illinois rushing attack

The more Northern Illinois ran, the more exhausted Ball State’s defense became. During the Cardinals 35-21 loss to the Huskies, Northern Illinois amassed 283 rushing yards, most coming in the second half. With the rush defense growing weary, Ball State lost control of the game. “We played extremely well defensively until the very end, when we got worn down,” Ball State head coach Pete Lembo said.



Iowa tight end Ray Hamilton gets tackled by Ball State strong safety Brian Jones on Sept. 6 in Kinnick Stadium. Iowa defeated Ball State, 17-13. (The Daily Iowan/Tessa Hursh)
SPORTS

FOOTBALL: Fifth-year seniors get final shot at Northern Illinois

Brian Jones looked down and closed his eyes, remembering what happened last season. The strong safety for the Ball State football team has bitter memories of rival Northern Illinois. When former Huskie quarterback Jordan Lynch found the end zone with less than two minutes left and Joe Windsor brought an interception back for a touchdown, it was a dagger to the heart of the Ball State football team.


Head coach Pete Lembo talks to the refs during the game against Indiana State on Sept. 13 at Scheumann Stadium DN PHOTO TAYLOR IRBY
SPORTS

FOOTBALL: Lembo's Language

Lembo's Language is a weekly article, where chief football reporter David Polaski dissects statements made by Ball State head football coach Pete Lembo in his press conference.


Senior Quintin Cooper celebrates after preventing a Sycamore touchdown at the football game against Indiana State on Sept. 13 at Scheumann Stadium. DN PHOTO ALAINA JAYE HALSEY
SPORTS

FOOTBALL: Turnover margin keys recent streak

After the 35-21 victory on Saturday against Akron, the Ball State football team chalked up their second consecutive win.This team is far from what it was a couple weeks ago, head coach, Pete Lembo, has completely revamped his young squad to get back to winning ways.



Sophomore running back Teddy Williamson goes to recover the ball during the game against Akron on Oct. 25 at Scheumann Stadium. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY
SPORTS

FOOTBALL: Turnovers power comeback

The Ball State football team’s defense needed some sort of spark coming out of halftime, after allowing 21 points in the first two quarters to an offense that only averaged 22 a game. Five turnovers will swing momentum pretty quickly. Ben Ingle, Zack Ryan, Tyree Holder and Eric Patterson all recorded second half interceptions while Quintin Cooper recovered a muffed punt, clamping down on an offense that gave them fits during the first 30 minutes. “It’s our players doing their assignments and being in the right spot,” Ryan said.



Coach Pete Lembo watches the game unfold against Toledo at the Glass Bowl on Sept. 20. DN PHOTO JONATHAN MIKSANEK
SPORTS

FOOTBALL: Lembo's Language

Lembo's Language is a weekly article, where chief football reporter David Polaski dissects statements made by Ball State head football coach Pete Lembo in his press conference.


Senior running back Jahwan Edwards celebrates his touchdown during the game against Western Michigan at Scheumann Stadium on Oct. 10. DN PHOTO TAYLOR IRBY
SPORTS

FOOTBALL: Rumbling into the record books

Not many teams thought Jahwan Edwards had what it took to play at the Division I level.When the Ball State senior running back was going through the recruiting process during his time at Butler High School in North Carolina, he only received one D-I offer.For a football player who believed he had what it took to make it at a larger program, it was a shot to his ego.“It was really hard for me because I knew I could play with everybody, I played with guys who went to bigger schools,” Edwards said.