The MAC's Ball State travels to Lincoln this Saturday to face the Huskers. Ball State has won its last three games on the road, including both this year. Facing the 80,000 plus at NU shouldn't be as intimidating for the team as you might think - the Cardinal went to the Big House last year and almost upset the Wolverines, losing by only 7 points.
QB Nate Davis is off to a very good year, going 57-107 (53%) for 8 scores and only 1 INT. RB MiQuale Lewis has 325 yds rushing on 73 carries and a score, and is also a receiving threat with 8 catches for another 129 yards (16 yds per) and another TD. Lewis had his first 100 yard effort against Navy last week as State put up big offensive numbers vs. Navy - 539 total yards including 277 in the air and 262 on the ground.
Throw in WRs Dante Love (21 receptions for 285 and 4 scores, AND 8 rushes for 77 more yards) and 6'6 matchup nightmare TE Darius Hill (14 catches for 208 yds and 2 TDs) and the Cardinal can apparently move the ball down the field. However, the kicking game is an open question; the competition between Jake Hogue and Ian McGarvey has apparently re-opened, but the incumbent Hogue appears to have resecured the job with 2 FGs, including the game winner. P Chris Miller is among the nation's best.
Defensively, State has given up the fifth most rushing yards (806) in the nation, but 521 of that came last week against the Midshipmen's option attack. However, the secondary was ranked #115 last year and a cause for concern going into the season. The linebacking corps is supposed to be the core of the D, led by Wendell Brown and Mike Dorulla. The team is allowing an average of 20 points a game.
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The strength of the Ball State team is in the O Line - big and experienced. The defense is much improved and the secondary is solid this season. Our QB and a couple of receivers are destined to play on Sundays.
The best part of this team is they play hard and with a lot of "heart" and have been through the school of hard knocks as many were forced to start as true or red shirt freshman and are now Juniors. I will be surprised if this is not a competitive game and even less surprised if BSU pulls out a close one.
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