The webs and trees of college coaching often intertwine, andSaturday's 1 p.m. game between Ball State and Central Michigan is aprime example.
In his first year as the Cardinals head coach, Brady Hoke willmatch wits with a former colleague. Hoke and fourth-year Chippewacoach Mike DeBord assisted Lloyd Carr at Michigan from 1995-99.
Also, DeBord was an assistant at Ball State in 1989, helping theCardinals to a Mid-American Conference Championship.
Hoke, however, prefers to deflect attention away from thecoaching matchup.
"It's about Ball State playing Central," Hoke said.
If Ball State wins, it will be its first Mid-American Conferenceopener since 1995.
"Mike and I are good friends, and I have a lot of respect forMike," Hoke said. "We go back a long time. He's a heck of a coach.They don't have dumb penalties, and they do a great job running thefootball. He's built the program, and you can see it yearly."
The Chippewas are 2-1 after a 45-7 loss to Michigan and winsover I-AA opponents New Hampshire (40-33) and Eastern Kentucky(42-41).
DeBord's offense is putting up 236.6 yards rushing, led byfreshman Jerry Seymour's 346 yards and five touchdowns. Juniorquarterback Jeff Perry has completed 61.4 percent of his passes for528 yards and four scores.
Hoke said Central likes to spread its offensive formations outand run a fast-paced attack.
"We've got to do a good job defensively of being sure with oursubstitutions and rotations," he said. "He (DeBord) wants to run asmany plays as he can, and that makes it critical for us offensivelyto run as many plays as we can."
Bob Bartolomeo, defensive coordinator under Hoke's predecessorBill Lynch, now holds the same position at Central. His unit hasstruggled mightily so far, giving up 530 yards and 39.7 points pergame.
Given such numbers, Ball State figures to have some chances towork out some kinks in its offense, especially in the run game.
"We were moving the ball (at Pittsburgh)," Hoke said. "On thefirst drive we should have had points instead of a field goal. Wehave to take advantage of opportunities to score points.
"I thought we blocked better, overall. We ran the power playwell; Charles (Wynn) did a nice job of getting the extra yard.Talmadge (Hill) did a good job managing the offense. I think youcan see some improvement."
Scott Blair or Wynn will get the call at running back, but Hokeindicated wide receiver Larry Bostic will again receive somecarries in an attempt to boost the sagging attack. Wynn, whotallied a career and team-high 66 yards against the Panthers, saidhe doesn't feel any added pressure, despite the struggles.
"That's our job: Go out there and get yards," the sophomoresaid. "We're trying to get this running game going. It's just all amatter of doing it, really, calling the run plays. Once we get thefeel for it, we'll get clicking."
On Monday, Hoke said Hill would probably start again atquarterback, but he did want to see in practice how well AndyRoesch is recovering from his mild shoulder separation. Left guardJeff Ramsey could also return for Saturday.
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