With spring football practice now complete, first-year head coach Brady Hoke feels one major question may be answered, another is still up in the air and his team needs to develop more consistency on both sides of the ball.
Practice concluded Saturday with a 100-play scrimmage between the offense and defense. Generally, the No. 1 offense faced the top defense, and the No. 2 squads played each other. The defense seemed to have the upper hand most of the time, allowing just 352 yards on the 100 plays. The offense rushed for 201 yards and passed for 151. In all 12 touchdowns were scored, seven coming when Ball State practiced goal-line situations.
"We've made some progress in how we want to play the game," Hoke said. "We're not consistent enough on either side of the ball. I'm glad to see the defense play better today because Thursday we didn't play very well.
I've think we've accomplished some things and educated the players on the style of football we want to have, so it's been positive. We've got a lot of work to do over the summer and when we get back in August."
With the school's all-time leading rusher, Marcus Merriweather, having graduated, three players are vying for the tailback position. Junior Scott Blair gained the most yards (65 on 16 carries), and Hoke indicated that he has the upper hand to start in the fall.
"I think Scott Blair made a definite move in the last couple practices we had," Hoke said. "He's done a good job of taking care of the ball. He's got good vision and he's a got a little burst."
Redshirt freshman Brad Seiss (18 rushes for 43 yards) and sophomore Charles Wynn (10 for 27) are also competing at tailback.
"I think Brad and Charles are right there," Hoke added. "The one thing I've been impressed with all them, as a tailback, is their ability to protect. When you have that and don't have to sub a fullback in, it makes your screen game and your draw game better."
At quarterback, Talmedge Hill was replaced last season after five games by fellow fifth-year senior Andy Roesch. Roesch threw for 15 touchdowns in seven starts, but is locked in a battle with Hill to be the signal-caller in 2003. Hill (5-of-6 passing, 37 yards) and Roesch (3 of 10, 20) each threw for a touchdown, and Hoke said the competition will continue into fall practice.
Joey Lynch, son of Hoke predecessor Bill Lynch, was 6 of 8 for 85 yards and three touchdowns as one of the No. 2 quarterbacks. Classmate Todd Racine also took snaps.
"I don't think we've had enough consistency from either guy," Hoke said of the battle between Hill and Roesch. "One day one will be sharp, but the next day he's not on top of his game. We're going to keep a competitive battle going through the summer.
"Being a quarterback isn't just throwing the ball. It's taking care of the ball and doing a great job as a leader. The chemistry and leadership from that position should come out during the summer. At this time I don't think we're near where we need to be. I like both kids because they bring something different."
Defensively, the Cardinals were led by sophomore end Blair Kramer, who had 2 sacks among his 5 1/2 tackles. Junior strong safety Justin Beriault, who had six tackles, made the move from outside linebacker in Hoke's new 4-3 defense.
"I like (the switch)," Beriault said. "It gives me a better chance to make big plays. I'm excited about it. It really doesn't matter to me, as long as I'm on the field.
"It's a big adjustment. I have to learn a ton of things. I'm checking plays (before the snap) and I never had to before. I'm basically the quarterback back there. It's a big challenge mentally, more than it is physically."
Vincent Davis, Riley Larimore, Justin Schweighardt also recorded sacks. In addition to holding on half of 14 goal-line plays, the Cardinal defense did not allow a touchdown on five of the nine red-zone situations.
On offense, nine different players caught passes, with tight end Bryan Wilson and sophomore receivers Ryan Hahaj and Dante Ridgeway having three receptions apiece. Kicker Mike Langford was good on just two of six field goal attempts, none of which were longer than 34 yards.
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