FOOTBALL: Offense shows progress in spring

Lembo gives early edge to Wenning as starting QB

With the conclusion of Ball State football's spring practices, there are several things to look forward to before the start of camp in the fall.

Coming into spring practice, the main question was how the team could adjust to the new offense and defense brought in by first-year coach Pete Lembo.

Lembo's style of offense is a quick, no-huddle offense that focuses on the screen pass. He got to show off his offense at the Cardinal and White Spring Game on Saturday.

Another question is who will run the offense next season for the Cardinals. Lembo has said he won't decide whether junior Kelly Page or sophomore Keith Wenning will be the starting quarterback until the fall, but both had bright spots in the spring game.

Page threw the Red team's only passing touchdown, while Wenning showed off mobility and ran for two touchdowns.

Lembo said after the spring practices, he believes Wenning has a slight advantage over Page for the starting job.

Senior receiver Briggs Orsbon was the favorite target of Page and Wenning throughout the afternoon, which positions him as the early favorite to be the No. 1 receiver for the Cardinals in 2011.

Running backs junior Eric Williams and senior Cory Sykes are expected to see the most action in the backfield next season, but the Cardinals got a surprise from another running back in the spring game. 

Sophomore walk-on Barrington Scott saw a healthy number of snaps Saturday and impressed Lembo with his ability to lower his shoulder and run. Expect to see Scott get some playing time for the Cardinals next season.

While the nonconference schedule for Ball State in 2011 should prove to be difficult with games against Indiana, South Florida and Oklahoma, Ball State will look to get its new offense running and perhaps surprise a few teams next season.


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