Not only did Ball State suffer a 35-7 setback to Missouri on Saturday. The Cardinals also suffered a pair of injuries to key players as well.
Junior left guard Jeff Ramsey and senior quarterback Andy Roesch both left the game. Ramsey twisted his ankle in the first half while Roesch injured his right shoulder on the Cards' second series of the second half. The senior quarterback injured his shoulder when he was scrambling for a yard.
"I dove and landed on my shoulder and the defender fell on top of it," Roesch said. "The doctor thinks it's a separation. It's nothing major. I'll just take it day-by-day. I thought it was a sprain, but when I tried to throw it, ... I felt like I didn't have any strength." -รก
Ramsey was replaced by redshirt freshman Ryan Steele, while Roesch was replaced by experienced backup Talmadge Hill. Hill, a fifth-year senior, started the first four games last season, before being replaced by Roesch. Head coach Brady Hoke was satisfied with Hill, as he completed eight of 12 passes for 89 yards against the Tigers.
"I think he's progressed very well," Hoke said. "He's really grown. He had some really good throws. We're more than comfortable (with him). We're able to have two fifth-year senior quarterbacks that have played a lot, and I think that's a benefit to us."
Despite being a backup, Hill made use of being on the sidelines and evaluating games.
"I think I'm better at reading defenses," Hill said. "I'm a fifth-year senior, and you're supposed to playing your best ball at this time. I've just tried to improve at everything."
Injuries were not the only factor keeping Ball State players off the field. Senior free safety Doug Owusu, who started last week against Indiana State, did not start against Missouri. Hoke would not disclose the exact reason for not starting Owusu, who was replaced by redshirt freshman Erik Keys.
"He was dealing with some things, team-wise," Hoke said. "We decided it would be good for him to watch the first half."
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