Ball State Grades (no viewing report)

As mentioned, I was stuck listening to Meterperal (mixed bag on him. Like the enthusiasm but he needs to give the down and distance and formations more often) yesterday. So these grade reports are the product of my ears, the recaps and two emailers. Take it for what it is worth.

Offense: B+

If L.V. is getting long runs you can assume he was getting really good holes. Reader Joe M. said that the line didn’t have much trouble couldn’t recall if “Ball State ever won one line of scrimmage battle.” Ryan got tripped up under center twice but I have no idea if it was with Ross or Sheridan. According to Meterperal, it was Ross, but I have doubts. Good effort overall from the line. (BTW, the other day on 790 The Zone, Tony Barnhart called the BC the best line in football.)

Although he didn’t run for 100, Whitworth had his best day of the year, which included the team’s first touchdown and some long runs. After letting some balls slip through his fingers last week, L.V. did a better job in the passing game this week (4 receptions, 49 yards). Callender did not get the start, but played well too. Survival Ross is proving to be the most explosive garbage time back in recent BC history.

Two weeks ago, I said that Gonzalez had the best hands on the team. Well, I either cursed him or I know nothing (could be both). He let a few catchable balls get by him yesterday. Hopefully it is out of his system. I was glad to hear Brandon Robinson get some important catches including his first TD. Paddy Lynch surprised me with three catches. It was about this time last year, that Palmer lost his starting job to Lee. Are we about to see another change in the fullback depth chart?

Ryan played well. Some have questioned his mobility. I think he answered that with two TD runs. I don’t think that is going to happen every week, but sometimes you have to take what the defense gives you. The team dropped a few on him, but he according to Peter Cronin, he was also off the mark on a few throws. But overall, no major errors and a good day.

Defense: A

What is there to say about a shutout? It is much harder to judge defensive over the radio. I can judge this -- Ball State got into BC territory four times and came away with one missed field goal attempt and three punts.

Kiwi’s stats improved. I don’t know if he was that overpowering or if Ball State is just the first team not to focus on him. Texans GM Charley Casserly was speaking highly of him on the half-time show.

The whole squad got after Ball State's Joey Lynch. And they held Ball State to less than 50 yards rushing. My only gripe is that the team still hasn’t gotten the penalties out of their system. There is no reason for the interior lineman to keep jumping offsides.

Special teams: B

The good: a blocked punt. The bad: two kickoffs going out of bounds and Blackmon fumbling a punt return (which another emailer -- who did not want to be identified -- said was a mistake on Will and that the sun couldn’t have been an issue).

Overall: A-

The team played well and locked up their first shutout since 2002. The team finished 3-0 out of conference this year. Not the toughest slate, but BC will need the cushion heading into conference play.