The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 129 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE Ball State is searching for a dose of suc- cess that it hasn't seen in some time. The program has never won a bowl game, and hasn't even appeared in one since 2013. In head coach Mike Neu's four years at the helm, the Cardinals tout a measly 15-33 record. Like Michigan, Ball State is also look- ing for increased levels of success in its own conference and division. The Cardi- nals haven't finished atop the Mid-American Conference (MAC) West since 2008, when a familiar name — Brady Hoke — led the team to a 12-1 mark and division title as the head coach. Ball State is looking to catch U-M off guard, hoping for a Maize and Blue "hang- over" after a West Coast trip to Washington for the season opener. In the lone meeting between the two schools, Hoke's Cardinals played the Wolverines fairly tight in a true November "trap game" during a season in which U-M started 11-0. Michigan gutted out a 34-26 victory at The Big House one week after Homecoming weekend. Key losses from 2019 include two first- team All-MAC performers in team MVP and right tackle Danny Pinter, and inside linebacker Jacob White. Even so, this year's Ball State club is a veteran one, returning 12 fourth- or fifth-year players that were starters a year ago on offense and defense. It should result in a much stronger showing than last season's 5-7 mark. Fifth-year senior quarterback Drew Plitt will lead the charge on offense, a unit that finished first in the MAC in total offense (463.0 yards per game) and scoring (34.8 points per tilt) a year ago. In 2019, Plitt completed 238 of 370 passes (64.3 percent) for 2,918 yards with 24 touch- downs. He was third in the conference in passing yards and tied for first in touch- downs through the air. Plitt's favorite target is also back. Senior wideout Justin Hall was a 2019 first-team All-MAC choice, hauling in 61 receptions for 684 yards and six touchdowns. Hall has caught at least one pass in each of his 36 career outings. There is even more continuity at running back. Senior Caleb Huntley, a second-team All-MAC selection, grinded out 1,295 yards (21st nationally) and 12 touchdowns on the ground last season. The 5-10, 226-pounder led a rushing attack that ran for more than 200 yards in seven out of eight league games and averaged 219.4 yards per contest (22nd nationally). The season's fortunes may rest in the hands of the defense. Ball State allowed 424.7 yards per game last season, which was eighth in the conference. A plus is seven starters return, meaning it should be an im- proved unit due to experience. A pair of standout cornerbacks will lead the way. Senior Antonio Phillips was a first- team all-conference performer last season, after posting 43 tackles, four interceptions and seven passes broken up, while junior Amechi Uzodinma II tied for eighth in the country and shared the MAC lead with five interceptions. Fifth-year senior inside linebacker Jaylin Thomas will anchor the front seven. In 2019, he was second on the team with 97 tackles (7.5 for loss). The offense can only carry the Cardinals so far. The veteran defense, led by second- year coordinator Tyler Stockton, must pro- duce if the club wants to have its first win- ning season in seven tries. Notes Even though the Cardinals' defense was weak last season, it did intercept 15 passes collectively, which was tied for the 13th most in the country … The Cardinals have added a trio of defensive graduate transfers; former Rice linebacker Anthony Ekpe, who tallied six sacks in 2018, should make the biggest impact. ❑ The Time Is Now For Cardinals 2020 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2019 Result Sept. 3 Maine — Sept. 12 at Michigan — Sept. 19 at Indiana L, 34-24 Sept. 26 Wyoming — Oct. 3 Western Michigan L, 35-31 Oct. 10 at Buffalo — Oct. 17 Northern Illinois W, 27-20 Oct. 24 Akron — Oct. 31 at Miami (Ohio) W, 41-27 Nov. 10 Eastern Michigan W, 29-23 Nov. 18 at Central Michigan L, 45-44 Nov. 24 at Toledo W, 52-14 PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: Caleb Huntley, Sr., RB Has 2,465 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground during his career … Also has 18 receptions for 68 yards … Amassed 100 yards or more on the ground in 10 contests … Sits ninth on Ball State's all- time rushing chart. Defense: Antonio Phillips, Sr., CB The 6-0, 188-pounder started 11 games last season, but missed the finale due to injury … Has six interceptions and 18 passes broken up in his career. Fifth-year senior quarterback Drew Plitt led the way for a Ball State attack that paced the Mid-American Conference in both total offense (463.0 yards per game) and scoring (34.8 points per contest) last season. PHOTO COURTESY BALL STATE ATHLETICS BALL STATE CARDINALS • SEPT. 12 • GAME 2 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Michigan leads 1-0 First Meeting: U-M 34, Ball State 26 (Nov. 4, 2006 in Ann Arbor) Head Coach: Mike Neu, 15-33 at Ball State (5th year) and 69-78 overall (10th year) 2019 In Review: 5-7, 4-4 MAC West (T3rd) Final 2019 Ranking: Unranked Returning Starters: 16 (7 offense, 7 defense, 2 spe - cialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2013 (GoDaddy Bowl vs. Arkansas State, L 23-20) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Drew Plitt (2,918 yards, 24 TD, 7 INT) Rushing: Caleb Huntley (1,275 yards, 12 TD) Receiving: Justin Hall (684 yards, 6 TD) Tackles: Jaylin Thomas (97) Sacks: Jordan Williams (4.5) Interceptions: Amechi Uzodinma II (5)