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| Monday, August 13 Updated: August 14, 8:52 AM ET Cardinals believe they can fly with MAC's best By Rodney McKissic Special to ESPN.com |
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Ball State Cardinals 2000 record: 5-6 (4-3). Coach: Bill Lynch (7th year, 26-41 record). Starters returning: 8 offense, 9 defense. Outlook: Ball State is optimistic after closing last season with five wins in the last seven games. Most of the key offensive components return starting with sophomore quarterback Talmadge Hill, the MAC freshman of the year and son of former NFL player Ike Hill. Hill has a strong arm but will spend considerable time handing off to tailback Marcus Merriweather, who was only the ninth Cardinals back to rush for over 1,000 yards. But Hill and Merriweather have to work behind an offensive line that is working in three new starters. The defense, which utilizes the 4-4, returns nine starters led by safety Jade Winchell and inside linebackers Skaka Johnson and Lorenzo Scott. The best lineman is Rachman Crable who is coming off an ACL injury and didn't compete in contact drills during the spring. Keep an eye on: Possession receiver Sean Schembra. Schembra started all 11 games as a sophomore and had a career high eight receptions for 181 yards against Buffalo. Key game: The Cardinals believe they've made enough strides to compete for the West Division title and the Sept. 22 matchup at Western Michigan will prove if they are correct. It's a good year if... Win the MAC championship. They believe they have the talent and it will be a great year if the Cardinals can knock off Western Michigan and league favorite Toledo for homecoming. That would mean that the MAC championship was in the bag. Rodney McKissic covers the MAC for the Buffalo News. |
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