BY CHARLIE NICHOLS | Ball State Sports Link
The Ball State Cardinals took a trip to Oxford, Ohio, Nov. 4 where they squared off against the Miami Redhawks for the first game of Mid-American Conference football in 2020.
It was a back and forth game throughout, which saw many lead changes and turnovers. In the end, the Red Bird Rivalry resulted in the Redhawks vanquishing the Cardinals by a score of 38-31 after a late turnover by Ball State.
While Ball State’s offense drove up and down the field and scored points with ease at times against Miami, the defense struggled and could not help itself out at times.
There was one player who shone above the rest for Ball State on defense — outside linebacker Christian Albright.
The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder registered seven tackles and crushed the quarterback with a huge third-down sack late in the game that forced Miami into taking a field goal.
Albright is second among active MAC players in career tackles for loss and his sack at Miami bring his career TFL total to 24.5.
Albright has the potential to be a key component to this team’s defense and fans should keep an eye out for his senior this season.
Whether he is rushing off the edge or hitting the running back in the backfield for a loss, Albright is constantly making plays on defense.
The Georgia native causes so many problems for opposing offenses that at times you will see offenses shift his way to block him or even double-team Albright to prevent him from making the tackle.
This opens up opportunities for other Cardinals on defense to make plays and it is a huge impact Albright makes that will not necessarily show up on the stat sheet at time end of the game.
Due to Albright’s undeniable effort against Miami, he is the Unsung Hero of the Week.
