Delaware County Athlete of the Week candidates for the week of 10/18-10/25
By Staff Reports / October 26, 2023
After a terrific homecoming weekend, Ball State Football welcomes home a pair of Player of the Week awards.
Garrett, a multi-generational football player for the Cardinals, mentors players in the program to help them find faith in God and prepare them for the world outside of football.
Ball State football won its first homecoming game since 2019 with a 24-17 victory over Central Michigan (4-4, 2-2 MAC). The Cardinals (2-6, 1-3 MAC) have 10 days off before their next game, a ‘Midweek MACtion” contest against Bowling Green (4-4, 2-2 MAC) Wednesday, Nov. 1 at a time yet to be announced.
Coming off of a close last-minute loss against Toledo, Ball State was a 5.5-point underdog coming into the game today against Central Michigan. Here are three takeaways from the first Ball State FBS win since Nov. 1, 2022.
“Age is just a number in football because you can be playing with someone when you’re younger; you can be 18 and they can be 22,” Sape said. “It’s always good seeing them come back and show support and try to get a win for them because they laid the groundwork for where our program is today.”
Freshman guard Trent Middleton from Philadelphia begins his journey from playing for an elite prep team at Spire Academy to becoming a Ball State Cardinal.
As far as what Central Michigan brings, Neu is focused on preparing for the defensive effort, accrediting their depth and experience in the defensive line and linebackers. On the flip side of the ball, Neu said it is going to be a challenge to stop the Central Michigan redshirt sophomore quarterback Jase Bauer who is a dual-threat quarterback.
For some, sports are just a game, but for others, there is a much deeper meaning to why they play. Muncie Central quarterback Leo Boyd is one who has deeper motivation and inspiration to play the game.
While the Cardinals (1-6, 0-3 MAC) lost 13-6 to Toledo (6-1, 3-0 MAC), redshirt sophomore Kiael Kelly rushed for a career-high 98 yards in his first-ever start at quarterback. The Cardinals next have Central Michigan (4-3, 2-1 MAC) Oct. 21 at 3:30 p.m. in Muncie, Ind.
Borrow is just one of many Ball State student-athletes who have tirelessly served in the local area as difference-makers in the community. Many Cardinals athletic programs have already completed service projects early in the 2023-2024 school year, extending a long legacy of student-athlete volunteer contributions.
Sitting at 1-5 at the midseason mark, Ball State football has to be nearly perfect in the second half in order to be bowl eligible. Up next, the Cardinals face the 5-1 Toledo Rockets at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m.
