Week 1 of the college football season is upon us and it brings non-conference action when the MAC travels to the Volunteer State to face a program from the SEC. The Ball State Cardinals are on the road as they make the trip to face the Tennessee Volunteers Thursday night. Ball State finished the 2021 season 6-7 though their season ended with a thud as they were drubbed 51-20 by Georgia State in the Camellia Bowl. Tennessee ended the 2021 campaign 7-6 and their season ended with a 48-45 defeat to Purdue in the Music City Bowl. This marks the first time that the schools have met on the gridiron as FBS opponents.
Ball State had some regression in 2021 though they did make a bowl game for the second straight season. However, after going 7-1 in 2020 and winning the Arizona Bowl, the Cardinals finished .500 in the regular season before falling in the Camellia Bowl. Five of their seven losses came by at least 10 points, including four by at least 20 points. Ball State brings back their starting running back and a pair of capable receivers plus three starting offensive linemen. That’s the good news for the Cardinals. The bad news is that they have a new QB and seven new starters on the defensive side of the ball after struggling at times last season. It’s going to be a challenge for coach Mike Neu to get this team back to a bowl game this year.
The Cardinals finished last season 89th in the nation in passing offense with 207.6 yards per game while they were 94th in rushing offe nse by picking up 130.7 yards per contest. Ball State was just 94th in the FBS in scoring offense by putting up 24.1 points per game and finished 85th in scoring defense by allowing 28.4 points per contest. John Paddock is expected to be the starting quarterback taking over for Drew Plitt. He completed 18 of 26 passes for 132 yards and an interception in limited action last season. Carson Steele is the leading returning rusher after he racked up 192 carries for 891 yards plus six scores as a true freshman. Will Jones (88 carries, 300 yards, three TD) is the second back in the system to provide depth. Jayshon Jackson (team-high 69 grabs, 829 yards, five TD) and Yo’Heinz Tyler (49 catches, 487 yards, six TD) are both back. No other returning player hauled in more than the 16 passes Jones caught out of the backfield. The kicking job was wide open though it could fall to freshman Adam Vinatieri Jr., a name that is familiar to most college and NFL fans.