Ball State Cardinals: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats
Ball State Cardinals: Key To The 2022 Offense
Take the top off the defense again
It’s not like the 2020 offense went bombs away, but it was able to open things up with big pass play after big pass play. Of course, the stats are a tad skewed with an all-MAC schedule before loading up on a depleted San Jose State for a bowl win, but the big shots weren’t there last year in conference play.
The Cardinals averaged just 6.1 yards per throw after averaging 8.6 a pop in 2020. There were way too many short-range plays, and it showed – the 2021 O averaged ten fewer points per game.
Ball State Cardinals: Key To The 2022 Defense
Find more plays in the backfield
The Ball State defense had its moments in the backfield, but there weren’t enough of them.
To be fair, the program’s defense hasn’t been all that great at getting into the backfield for a long, long time – other than having a few great moments in 2020. However, the D failed to generate more than one sack in six of the last ten games and came up with just 69 tackles for loss.
Ball State Cardinals: Key Player To The 2022 Season
QB John Paddock, Sr.
Drew Plitt wasn’t Patrick Mahomes, but he was a five-year producer – he wasn’t always the starter – finishing with over 9,000 passing yards with 68 touchdowns and 14 rushing scores. Now it’s Paddock’s turn.
There might be other options in the mix, but Paddock has been the main backup for the last three years, waited his turn, and now he’ll get the first shot to run the attack.
Ball State Cardinals: Key Transfer
DT Kyle King, Soph.
The former Michigan State defensive lineman wasn’t able to do too much in his two years, but he’s a 6-4, 270-pounder with a great frame and good quickness. A great recruit for the Spartans, he only made four tackles with three broken up passes. Now he should be a part of the rotation on the Cardinal front three.
Ball State Key Game To The 2022 Season
Western Michigan, Sept. 10
It’s what the world likes to call a tone-setter. It’s not a divisional game – other MAC battles against the East will be more important – but it’s Ball State’s chance to make a big early statement against a Western Michigan team that should be solid with a little bit of time.
Ball State goes on the road for three of its four November games, and going to Central Michigan and hosting defending MAC champion Northern Illinois won’t be easy. Lose the conference home opener, and there’s going to be a problem.
Ball State Cardinals: 2021 Fun Stats
– 2nd Quarter Scoring: Opponents 136 – Ball State 65
– Time of Possession: Opponents 32:21 – Baylor 27:31
– 4th Down Conversions: Ball State 11-of-21 (52%) – Opponents 11-of-21 (52%)
O, D Breakdown | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Ball State Top 10 Players | Ball State Schedule