Mike Neu – Syndication Server

Mike Neu discusses defending Tennessee’s fast-paced offense

Ball State head coach Mike Neu discusses defending Tennessee’s fast-paced offense.

Tennessee (1-0) kicked off its 2022 season Thursday against Ball State at Neyland Stadium.

The Vols defeated Ball State (0-1), 59-10.

Tennessee totaled 569 yards (351 passing, 218 rushing) against the Cardinals.

Following the season-opening matchup, Ball State head coach Mike Neu discussed defending Tennessee’s fast-paced offense.

“We made a personnel adjustment with what we were going to play with on the field,” Neu said. “A lot of the night, we played with three defensive linemen, two linebackers and six defensive backs. We wanted to try and make sure in those passing situations that we forced them to throw the check down, so we had more opportunities to attack them, make more plays and try not to give up the big one. They’re not going to let you play zone. We knew that. We tried to play several guys and send a different group out for the next series, so if there is a one-on-one we defended the play before, we can send a different group out there.

“Our defensive staff and coach Tyler Stockton did a great job of what we tried to get. It’s tough to slow down an offense like that and their quarterback playing at a high level and making really good decisions.”

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Vols’ Week 1 opponent: Byron Ellis named Ball State’s general manager

Tennessee opened fall training camp Aug. 1 in preparation for the 2022 season under second-year head coach Josh Heupel.

The Vols will kick off its 2022 campaign Sept. 1 against Ball State at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup.

Ahead of the 2022 season, Ball State announced Byron Ellis has been named as the Cardinals’ general manager.

“I’m fired up to name Byron as our general manager,” Ball State head coach Mike Neu announced. “He’s meant so much to our program since we came in together prior to the 2016 season. I lean so much on him with everything that takes place off the field. He does such a great job of being so detailed and meticulous and does everything in a first-class way. It’s awesome to be able to recognize him, and I’m looking forward to continuing our great partnership for many years to come.”

Ball State places nine players on preseason All-MAC teams

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Ducks ninth inning rally falls just short in weird game at PK Park

Oregon wasn’t able too overcome Hance Smith’s 7 RBI performance as Cal salvaged one over the weekend with a 9-8 win.

It’s probably safe to say California second baseman Hance Smith is the first Pac-12 player to be robbed of a home run and then hit an inside-the-park grand slam in the same game.

The Golden Bears scored five in the eighth and then had to hang on to dear life in the ninth as they avoided a sweep at the hands of the Ducks with a 9-8 win Sunday afternoon at PK Park.

With the loss, Oregon falls to 28-15 overall and 13-8 in conference play.

The Ducks were up 5-3 going into the eighth inning and they brought in closer Kolby Somers for the six-out save. Unfortunately, things unraveled on Somers quickly. Cal scored one and still had the bases juiced when Smith hit a pop fly down the right field line. Anthony Hall was shaded into the gap and had to sprint to even have a chance at catching the fly ball.

Hall actually over ran the ball as it bounced behind him and he fell to the turf. Meanwhile, Smith was able to circle the bases. Those were RBIs 4-7 for him on the day as he had a sacrifice fly and a two-run single earlier in the contest.

That sacrifice fly was nearly a three-run homer, but Colby Shade was able to reach over the wall and bring it back.

Down 9-6 heading into the ninth inning, Oregon was able to mount a rally that eventually saw the potential winning run reach second base, but not before some fireworks.

It looked like Gavin Grant had swung at strike three, but the first base umpire ruled he checked his swing. That sent California into an uproar and coach Mike Neu was thrown out.

Grant made the most out of his second chance and line one through the legs of Hance Smith and two runs scored. But Tanner Smith grounded out to first to end the game.

Oregon now has prepare for a huge week of baseball as the Ducks and Beavers will meet up for four games, one non-conference contest on Tuesday in Eugene and three Pac-12 games in Corvallis over the weekend.