Generally considered one of the better punters in the nation, Ball State University junior Chris Miller received his first Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week honor Monday.
"I thought [the people who choose the player of the week] had something against me, like a vengeance or something," Miller said with a laugh. "Some weeks I had a pretty good game and I was never nominated. I don't know who picks it; I'm just glad and satisfied that they gave me the award this week."
Both Miller and sophomore defensive end Brandon Crawford - who received the Defensive Player of the Week recognition - were honored after Ball State beat Western Michigan University 27-23 Saturday. It was the second time this season Ball State has had two Players of the Week.
Miller, who was named to the Playboy Preseason All-American team and leads the nation with a 47.18 punting average, placed five of his 10 punts inside the 20-yard line with one touchback. His positive influence on Ball State's field position enabled the Cardinals' defense to hold Western Michigan to 23 points, nearly eight points lower than the Broncos' season average.
"I'm always out there trying to help the team win by giving them the best field position possible," Miller said. "Guys were talking with me on the sideline about how happy they were with me that I was able to pin Western Michigan inside the 20-yard line because that's when the defense can be at its best. They were all congratulating me and saying, 'Thank you for putting us in this great situation.'"
One of the players that benefited from Miller's performance was Crawford, a 31-year-old former Marine. Five of Crawford's team-high 10 tackles against Western Michigan were for lost yardage, including a team-high two sacks.
Cardinals' coach Brady Hoke said Crawford has provided an invaluable presence on Ball State's defensive line.
"You've just got to watch Brandon from the snap to the whistle on every play because he plays as hard as anybody," Hoke said. "I point it out all the time, and a lot of the other players probably get sick of me talking about him and what he does. He's just a great role model for guys to watch and see how he conducts his business."
Crawford spent most of his freshman season trying to learn the game of football again after a 12-year absence from competition. However, in his second season, the 31-year-old leads Ball State with five sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Crawford said he couldn't have imagined the success he's achieved in his second year after being away from football for so long.
"I just always told myself if I worked hard at it the game would come to me again," Crawford said. "It's very nice for me to get this honor. It gives me a lot of confidence in what I've been doing."
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