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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 1-10 (1-7) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Bill Lynch Returning starters: 15 (offense 4, defense 10) Outlook Ball State football celebrates its 50th anniversary this season, but the number more on coach Bill Lynch's mind is 11. That's the rank the Cardinals held in scoring and points allowed last season, which added up to a dismal 1-10 record. With 10 starters back on defense, the hope is a year older equals a year wiser. But questions on offense -- and especially at quarterback -- could make the Cardinal faithful yearn for days gone by very quickly. Needless to say, the memories of three conference championships in the decade are fading. Offense Ball State shuffled three quarterbacks through the starting lineup last season, leading to massive inconsistency. Junior Brian Conn is No. 1 on the depth chart, but junior Clay Weathers, who lost the job to Conn last season, is waiting in the wings. Weathers started six games last season. Whoever the Cardinals decide on, he'll have to improve on the combined 9 TD-11 INT ratio of last year. Equally up in the air is the backfield. The Cardinals need to replace 3,000-yard rusher LeAndre Moore and backup James Terrell. Senior Kevin Cartwright (58 carries, 197 yards, 1 TD in '98) is the top choice. As bad as those situations sound, the offensive line and receiving corps fit the other end of the spectrum. The line is bookended by returning tackles Aaron Johnson and Ryan Carter, and although three new starters need to be found, all five projected starters tip the scales at more than 300 pounds. Depth will be an issue. Assuming a quarterback can be found to throw consistently, the ball will be in good hands if it gets to Adrian Reese. The 5-9, 166-pound senior is the leading returning receiver and a dangerous punt returner. It's a good sign if: The bulk of the offensive line helps ease in a shaky backfield.It's a bad sign if: The starting quarterback duties ping-pong between players like last season. Defense While the defense returns plenty of experience, the 10 returning starters have had to adjust to a slight change in the defensive scheme. The Cardinals are going to a 4-4 instead of a 4-3, moving a roverback up closer to the line to act as a fourth linebacker. After forcing just 13 turnovers and collecting 11 sacks last season, the defense had to become more aggressive. It'll be up to linebackers Ernest Pressley (6-1, 199) and Marlon Llewellyn (5-11, 211) to set the tone. Llewellyn had 141 tackles last season and Pressley added 85 in eight starts, missing two games due to injury. Larry Davis, who moved over from offense six games into last season, will assume the new rover position after playing strong safety. Three-year letterman Lowell Faison anchors the secondary, where the only new starter is being broken in. Sophomore Alger Boswell slides into the starting lineup next to Faison at cornerback. The defensive line is manned by four juniors, all of whom started as sophomores a year ago. It's a good sign if: Last year's problems turn into motivation for the upperclassmen.It's a bad sign if: The defense can't manufacture a pass rush, allowing quarterbacks to pick apart a three-man secondary. Special Teams A new punter needs to be found. Two fifth-year seniors are battling for the job, with Brad Kraft listed ahead of Kevin Jennings on the depth chart. Thomas Pucke returns as placekicker, but his 4-for-8 performance last year doesn't inspire many. He made just one of five attempts from 30 yards or more. Reese averaged 12.1 yards per punt return, and will probably get the call on kickoffs too. -- Greg Collins |
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