Mershman could be ready for Indiana
Redshirt sophomore tight end Aaron Mershman missed practice again Wednesday due to injury, but was wearing shoulder pads during practice.
Redshirt sophomore Zane Fakes, who is listed as the first-string tight end, continued to take reps with the first team offense through out practice. Sophomore David Schneider also took a number of reps in practice.
Coach Pete Lembo described Mershman's injury as neck stiffness and not a concussion. He expects Mershman to be back at practice this weekend.
He's also expected to be ready to play in the season-opener against Indiana on Sept. 3.
PAT field goal job still up in the air
The kicking team has been the most consistent part of the team in the preseason, according to Lembo. But he hasn't made a decision on whether junior Steven Schott or freshman Scott Secor will be the PAT field goal kicker for the season-opener.
"It's been a real neck and neck race with those two guys," he said. "They've both had outstanding preseasons."
Lembo said that Secor has the edge in kickoffs and junior punter Scott Kovanda has been impressive in the preseason.
Ball State will have depth at the long snapper position, with redshirt freshman Garrett Mack and freshman Anthony Kukwa have also impressed Lembo in the preseason. Kovanda, along with sophomore receiver Connor Ryan, has been the primary place holders for the special teams.
"On a team that has a fair amount of unknowns, our specialists the coaches feel really good about," Lembo said.
Depth at receivers
If the season started this Saturday, Lembo said either freshman receiver Willie Snead or Jack Tomlinson at X-receiver, senior Briggs Orsbon at Z-receiver and either Torieal Gibson or Ryan at W-receiver.
He also said freshman Chris Shillings and sophomore Jamill Smith have been coming along in the fall practices. Lembo said Smith has been playing well when they run a four-reciever set.
"[Smith] is behind [Orsbon}, but when we go to a four-wide set, he's the second slot that goes into that offense."
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