By: Dane Massey
Ball State Sports Link
Following a home loss to Toledo, the Cardinals have slipped to a 1-3 record with an 0-1 record in conference play. Ball State returns home to Scheumann Stadium this Saturday looking to bounce back and snap their three-game losing streak. The Cardinals have their final non-conference game of the regular season this week when they host Army.
The Army Black Knights are undefeated entering week five, winning three of the four games by double-digits. The Black Knights faced Ball State’s MAC rival a week ago, defeating the Redhawks 23-10.
Senior quarterback Christian Anderson is red hot for the Black Knights as he leads the team in throwing and rushing yard so far this season. However, Anderson is day-to-day with a shoulder injury and could be a major blow to the Black Knights if he is out against the Cardinals.
As the Cardinals get set for their final non-conference match-up this season, here are a few players to keep your eyes on.
CLAYTON COLL:
Quiet for the first three games of the season, Clayton Coll had an incredible breakout showing against Toledo. Racking up 15 total tackles, with 0.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for a loss, arguably his best performance at the college level.
The junior out of Franklin has proven to be another talented piece to a very skillful linebacker core and to the cardinal defense as a whole. Coll is going to be a fun one to watch as he looks to have another productive day against Army.
BRYCE COSBY:
Bryce Cosby has continued to be a leader and a playmaker for the Cardinal’s secondary in his fifth season with the team. Last week against a high-powered Toledo offense, Cosby and the rest of Ball State’s secondary held the Rockets to under 200 passing yards, something no other team has been able to do this year. The veteran safety finished the game with eight total tackles, including two tackles for a loss and a sack.
“Bryce Cosby is a big mentor to me,” running back Carson Steele said. “He is a great leader… Those guys are going to help this team get the right mentality because it’s hard. Football is hard… so you just rely on that older leadership, and you create a culture that thrives off that.”
A NEW RECIEVING KING:
Offensive superstar Justin Hall was flying all over the field against Toledo finishing 64 yards on 5 carries, and 97 yards on 7 receptions. However, history was made that game against Toledo as Hall became the all-time receiving yards leader in Ball State football history and shows no signs of slowing down because of that accomplishment.
“It means a lot, but I wouldn’t have been able to get that accomplishment without my teammates,” Hall said. “[But] we just got to keep going… I’m truly blessed to have this accomplishment, but we can’t celebrate without getting a W today.”
The fifth-year senior leads the team in receptions (24), receiving yards (289), and has found the end zone twice through Ball State’s first four games.
Hall looks to keep extending the record lead and provide the offense with flash and expect for him to shine yet again against Army.
