BY CHARLIE NICHOLS | Ball State Sports Link
The moment Ball State football fans have been anticipating is finally here.
With only six games this season, the Mid-American Conference and Ball State make an interesting comeback Wednesday at Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio.
The season is set to kick off at 7 p.m. from Oxford, Ohio and on CBS Sports Network. Sports Link GameDay starts at 6 p.m. on Twitter (@bsusportslink).
Ball State football has made major moves this past offseason, including changes along the coaching staff. Offensively, after five seasons with the Cardinals, former running backs coach and recruiting coordinator, Kevin Lynch, was promoted to offensive coordinator.
Lynch will look to utilize his notable returning talent to once again be the best offense in the MAC. Ball State’s led the MAC in both scoring (34.8 ppg) and total offense (463 ypg) last fall.
Senior quarterback Drew Plitt, deemed one of the MACs best passers, threw for 24 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards as he led the Ball State offense.
Wide receiver Justin Hall and running back Caleb Huntley will make a return for their final collegiate season posing as one of the biggest offensive combo threats in the MAC.
Hall has had an amazing journey with the Cardinals leading Ball State in receptions per game (5.1) and receiving yards per game (57.0).
The Georgia native made the 2019 All-MAC First Team last season, after tallying 871 yards from scrimmage.
While being Plitt’s go-to guy, Hall is also the nation’s active leader in career receptions (208). That trio is part of a highly experienced senior class that is eager lead the Cardinals into 2020.
Huntley is another essential weapon for Ball State. The star running back was ranked third in the MAC in rushing yards and is ninth on Ball State’s all-time rushing chart with 2,465 yards.
Huntley rushed for 1,275 yards and 12 touchdowns last season all while receiving All-MAC Second Team Honors.
Huntley, who surpassed 100 yards rushing in seven of eight MAC games last season, topped 1,000 yards in a season in both 2017 and 2019.
The offensive line returns three starters from a group that lost Danny Pinter to the NFL draft. Kaleb Slaven Luke Martin and Curtis Blackwell all return this season and will look to provide time for Plitt to get the ball to his playmakers on offense.
Blackwell is sliding over from right guard to fill the spot left by fifth-round Indianapolis Colts draft pick Pinter, while redshirt senior center Anthony Todd takes over for three-year starter Andrew Poenitsch.
Redshirt sophomores Jaylen Turner and Joseph Boggs move into the starting lineup at the guard positions.
