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FOOTBALL: Freshman wide receiver ready to go for Ball State

Parrish shakes up depth chart before Purdue

Much of this week's chatter about Ball State's depth chart was directed at the apparent quarterback controversy.

Coach Stan Parrish didn't name either Kelly Page or Keith Wenning the starter, leading to speculation about who would start Saturday at Purdue.

Lost in the debate was another move on the depth chart. Days after dropping what would have been the game-winning touchdown pass in Ball State's 27-23 loss to Liberty, Tori Gibson is listed side-by-side with Phil Dudley at one of the three starting wide receiver spots.

Parrish said the move was unrelated to Gibson's pivotal drop Saturday night. Instead, it is because Dudley is just getting back to full health after a mid-foot sprain he suffered in fall camp.

"He's right where he was going to be in our plans," Parrish said. "He's going to play Saturday."

Dudley, a true freshman, has touched the ball just once this season but still managed to show off his electric speed. Dudley rushed for 17 yards on an end around in the second quarter Saturday, diving into the end zone to complete the play. The touchdown was called back, however, because of an illegal block called against wide receiver Dan Ifft.

 

Dirty work

Running back MiQuale Lewis has had modest rushing totals in the season's first two games.

Lewis, who is third on Ball State's career rushing list, has 71 yards this season, behind Eric Williams and Cory Sykes.

Parrish said he hasn't forgotten about Lewis; he just has had other responsibilities so far. Parrish expects Lewis' rushing totals to rise as the season continues.

"The cream always comes," Parrish said. "As teams take one play away from us, they'll give us others."

Lewis said he is fine with the blocking assignments he has been drawing.

"As long as the team wins and we keep producing ... I'm doing stuff to contribute to help the team win that's all that matters," he said.

Parrish is pleased with the job Lewis has done so far.

"I think he's sending a real message to me," Parrish said. "He knows how to talk to a coach: play fast and play good."

 

Upcoming tests

The task of visiting Big Ten schools on back-to-back weeks will be difficult for all the Cardinals, but the offensive line may have it the worst.

Ball State will face two of the top defensive ends in the country in the next two weeks, beginning with Ryan Kerrigan at Purdue. Next week, when Ball State visits No. 9 Iowa, it will have to contend with Adrian Clayborn.

Parrish is well aware of what lies ahead for his offensive line.

"Those are probably your first-team All-American defensive ends," Parrish said. "I went down to the quarterback closet [Monday] morning to watch some film, and Cameron Lowry was in there watching it, our left tackle. You know what's on Cam's mind."

 

Not redshirts yet

Two games into the season, Parrish isn't ready to say all the freshmen who haven't played yet will be redshirting.

Parrish said wide receiver Jack Tomlinson was injured during the summer and is just getting back to full strength. He still could find himself on the field this fall.

"Jack Tomlinson is not out of the mix," Parrish said. "He's a really fine receiver."

Parrish also expects to use more of his freshmen defensive backs, who have seen little to no action so far.

 

Parrish won't be going back to the future

After a miscommunication between the coaches and Page on a crucial fourth down last Saturday, Parrish was asked if he would consider going back to sending the play in with a guard every play. He said he hasn't used that method since his high school days, and isn't looking to go back.

"We've got so many plays now," Parrish said. "Our system has gotten so complex and we have so many more plays now and different packages. I don't think there's anybody that's not [using signals]."


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