The last time Ball State football competed on the field was Nov. 25, 2023, as the Cardinals fell to Miami (OH) 17-15 to finish the season with a 4-8 overall record and a 3-5 Mid-American Conference (MAC) record.
Tomorrow, the red and black will have a chance to start fresh as they kick off the 2024 campaign and the program’s 100th season with a home opener against Missouri State. In doing so, the Cardinals could be embarking on a season that might become important for the near future.
Throughout this season, I will have some thoughts and other takeaways from the Cardinals’ journey. With that, here are my thoughts one day before the opening kick.
The quarterback decision is huge
Last year, Ball State’s quarterback carousel was something to witness. Beat reporters and fans alike waited each week to see who would be under center. For the first six weeks, it was a mix between redshirt junior Kiael Kelly, then freshman Kaiden Semonza – who was redshirted later in the year– and former graduate student Layne Hatcher.
While Kelley won the starting job and took the reins the final six weeks of the season – going 3-3 with Ball State in that stretch – he was moved to cornerback this season as Semonza got the nod. While some were shocked – and for good reason – about the choice, it makes sense to me.
For one, Semonza showed some signs of progress during his limited action in 2023. The other thing that seems to be positive is how the players and head coach Mike Neu talk about him. It’s nothing but positive remarks and discussions about how his approach has improved in one offseason.
Why is this important and why is Semonza getting the huge role?
Because he’s young. Now, I know the transfer portal exists and players can play hopscotch each season. But if Semonza fits in and clicks with Ball State enough to where success rises through the ashes of last season’s mistakes, there might be something there for the next few seasons.
This team’s mindset is in a good spot
This may sound like a dumb takeaway, but I thought it was worth mentioning. I feel like a good attitude is something that is preached all the time, especially in sports, but this team has that. Now I’m not saying there’s a college football team in the nation that thinks they’re bad – I’m probably wrong – but the Cardinals do not think they are a poor performing team.
Sure, Ball State was the lowest-ranked team in the new NCAA 25 football game from EA at a 68 overall ranking – they are now at a 71 – but that’s a video game with analytics that someone had to decide on. If you ask the team, they think the rating is wrong.
The reason why this is a big deal to me is that this team thinks they have something to prove. They think this is an opportunity to get back to a bowl game for the first time since 2021. However, that goal will be harder said than done. Take out the usual MAC games, you have to play No. 12 Miami in week two, JMU in week four and Vanderbilt in week seven.
While I’m not saying Ball State will automatically lose those games, injury concerns are the most important aspect of those games. But only time will tell how that part of the games impacts the season.
There is only one 100th team
When the Cardinals had their first Monday press conference of the season earlier this week, junior tight end Tanner Koziol said it best.
"There's been 99 teams before us that have played, and we know they're watching,” he said. “There's a sense of just wanting to do it for those guys. We want them to have the bragging rights and then to be proud of the team that it's putting out there today. There's a sense of pride in that and the people that have worn the jersey before us."
I’m not even going to try and put together how many players, coaches, managers and other team personnel have been through Muncie. That would take a while and I was the type of guy that aimed for a B- in math class, so, there that is.
But all of the information screams history. Even for a mid-major football team, it means something. So while the Cardinals play their 12 games throughout the new season, make sure to follow Kyle Smedley, Elijah Poe and I as we cover the team and give our thoughts from time to time.
And for Ball State football fans. No matter the outcome of the season, enjoy it. Ball State football is officially back starting tomorrow at 2 p.m.
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu or on X at @ZachCarter85.
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