OTP covers Ball State University sports from the blog perspective in the most overzealous manner possible, proving that as long as there is someone with enough free time you can obsess over anything.
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Like a child on Christmas morning, I’ve been hitting refresh on the Ball State digital guide page in eager anticipation for the 2014 version of the digital media guide. And today, all those refreshes finally paid off as the Ball State digital guide for the 2014 season has been sent out to the ether of the internet for your viewing pleasure. You’re welcome for all the views, BSU. Charge Stoops extra for that banner ad.
Some other sites are complaining that there’s not a significant amount of biographical information on the players but guess what? You’re viewing a digital media guide and there is a virtual metric ton of information on the BSU mothership like player backstories, majors, accomplishments on the field, and all other varieties of fun stuff. There’s also their parent’s names you creepy stalker.
To check out the media guide, click on through here. And if you’re friends with Floyd Mayweather, read it to him. I’m sure he’d be interested in what’s going on with the Cardinals. You know, because he can’t read. HA!
In an effort to educate, inform, preview and most importantly, poke fun of those who dare add the Ball State Cardinals to their football schedule, OTP is proud to bring back a tradition here at the Pylon, Know an Opponent, in this case, the Know a ’14 Opponent series. Some things to note… this isn’t heavy lifting with broken down statistics, game film replays, or random things like that. It’s still preseason after all, and that kind of analysis and evaluation is best saved for game week. So buckle up kiddies… time to Know a ’14 Opponent!
Army Black Knights
Throughout my time working for colleges, writing this website, and just being a football fan I have had the opportunity to attend some pretty amazing games, some pretty beautiful campuses, and be a part of some pretty amazing things. Notre Dame marching band taking the field? Check. Watching the eagle fly around the stadium at Auburn? Check. Night game at South Carolina watching Cocky go crazy while 2001 plays over the stadium speakers? Check. Sweating my ass off on a hot September Saturday in Gainesville and wondering if those around me can actually smell the bourbon coming out of my pores? Check. But there’s one thing I haven’t been able to do, and that’s make it to a game at Michie Stadium in historic West Point, NY.
I’ve had my chance, mind you, as I was credentialed for the 2009 game but let the girlfriend at the time guilt me in to staying home. Cue up the Indiana Jones, because I chose… poorly. On October 4th you can scratch something off your football bucket list that should definitely be there and say you’ve done something I haven’t. The sheer beauty of this locale is almost impossible to describe, so check out the search engine of your choosing for some great scenes. Fall leaves, the Hudson Valley, and some old school triple option football at the United States Military Academy against THE Ball State University? Sounds perfect to me.
What Have You Done For Me Lately?
With everything the stadium and location have going for them, the football played inside it hasn’t been very good recently. In fact, in the last 25 years, Army has made exactly two bowl games. That happens when you have a losing record in 16 of the last 17 seasons. As for the history against the mighty Cardinals, Ball State has won three straight, holds a 3-2 series advantage, and beat the Black Knights 40-14 last season in the friendly confines of Scheumann Stadium. Army did beat Eastern Michigan last year by 25 points, but hell, who didn’t?!
The Man Who Wears the Headset Army has a new head man in charge, Jeff Monken, replacing Rich Ellerson who had led Army since 2009. Ellerson had the difficult task of bringing the triple option back to Army, and you can bet that Monken will continue that trend as he has been around the triple option for the majority of his coaching career, coaching under notorious option guru Paul Johnson at Georgia Southern, Navy, and Georgia Tech. Most recently, he was the head coach at Georgia Southern, where his worst record was still a very respectable 7-4 over four seasons at the command. His last season was his worst, as it was also the only time he didn’t lead the Eagles to the FCS Playoffs. Supporters will tell you it’s a blip on an otherwise stellar radar. Cynics will tell you as more of his players took over, the decline begain. Time till tell, I suppose.
Players and Stats of Note
The thing about the triple option is the more familiar you are with it, the better you tend to do, and Monken and the Black Knights certainly have that going for them with nine returning starters on the offensive depth chart. Angel Santiago, the most-used starting QB in 2013 is back, but he did struggle at times last season. It’s possible BSU could see AJ Schurr or Kelvin White if Santiago cannot lead the offense effectively. Running backs, as expected, are a strength of Army. Their depth came to the forefront last season when Raymond Maples (going for his third 1000-yard season in a row) was injured and yielded to Terry Baggett, who promptly rattled off his own 1100 yards and 8 TDs. Fullback Larry Dixon also had 700+ yards and six scores. So there’s that.
Defense is the giant question mark for Army, especially given this season and their new coordinator… Jay Bateman. That name should sound familiar to Cards fans, since Bateman had the same position in Muncie the last three seasons. Onward and lateral? The biggest weakness for Army is the linebacking unit, with only 13 starts amongst the returners. The defensive line and secondary should not only be improved from last season, they are basically the anchor of the defense. If Quake Edwards can get to the second level or Ozzie Mann can abuse curl and in routes, it could be a very long day for the Army defense.
If Army Football Was a Musician…
Edge again chimed in with his selection for this section, him being the musical genius that he is and all. His thoughts: “Army is not ever going to be the best in the band or the best in the FBS, but goddamnit, show some respect. Congrats, Army. You are Ringo Starr.”
How Worried Are We?
By its nature, the triple option is difficult to defend and easy for plays to break loose at any moment. It’s just as likely that you’re going to see a two yard loss as you are to see a 92 yard gain. It is really the definition of “contain”, considering the premise of defending it is strictly assignment football. That’s worry #1. Worry #2 is the familiarity that the Army defense is going to have with Ball State personnel and the basic offensive scheme, given Jay Bateman.
A nice cool Code Blue for the Black Knights. Without Jay Bateman and the hard to defend triple option attack, I’d say this is the greenest of code greens that another FBS team could be. Those two wrinkles, though, bump the OTP Threat Level up just slightly.
Enemy Recon
If you need to catch up on your Army reading, then feel free to check out the official Army site here. You can also check out some local news coverage here and visit their fansite here.
Kickoff on October 4 is noon and the television provider is CBS Sports Network. Seriously, though, go if you can. You will thank me later.
In an effort to educate, inform, preview and most importantly, poke fun of those who dare add the Ball State Cardinals to their football schedule, OTP is proud to bring back a tradition here at the Pylon, Know an Opponent, in this case, the Know a ’14 Opponent series. Some things to note… this isn’t heavy lifting with broken down statistics, game film replays, or random things like that. It’s still preseason after all, and that kind of analysis and evaluation is best saved for game week. So buckle up kiddies… time to Know a ’14 Opponent!
Indiana State Sycamores
In college athletics there are varying degrees of fierce when it comes to mascots. I have had the misfortune of working and attending some of the weakest. There was Ball State, where even though the Cardinal is the fiercest robin-sized bird it doesn’t strike terror into the hearts of opponents. I followed that with Maryland, home of the diamondback turtle known as a terrapin. God love Maryland, they embraced it and even played to it, with a slogan of “Fear the Turtle!”. But thankfully, I have never had to go to class or an athletic contest knowing that my mascot was the platanus occidentalis, or what non-tree people refer to as the Sycamores.
FunFact!: Indiana State students selected the name through a contest. Most believe students voted for it as a joke, thinking there was no way it could win. It did.
FunFact2!: ISU realized that having a Sycamore tree for a mascot was about as lame as could be, so they changed it. To…. the Chiefs! Complete with an offensive native American caricature and everything! Stellar job on that one!
FunFact3!: Indiana State promptly changed back to the Sycamores. They also created an actual mascot in 1995, known as Sycamore Sam and described him as a “furry woodland creature”. He’s also bright blue, in much the same way that weird inbred family from Kentucky has blue skin. I’m not saying Sycamore Sam is an inbred furry woodland creature, I’m just saying he apparently wouldn’t look any different if he was. So there’s that.
What Have You Done For Me Lately?
2013 was what some “in the biz” (please use the airquotes when saying that) would call a complete and utter failure. 1-11 and 0-8 in the Missouri Valley Conference. They did beat Quincy 70-7, though, so they certainly got the most out of that lone victory. Quincy may want to consider not dressing the women’s softball team next season for football games. As an FCS team, the Sycamores have the chance to play in the first “playoff system”, not that they would know that. They haven’t made the postseason since 1984.
The Man Who Wears the Headset <– This, is Mike Sanford. Sanford is in his second season coaching the Sycamores and his 37th year as a football coach. His head coaching record is a fairly unimpressive 17-54 (after a five-year run at UNLV in addition to last year at ISU), but don’t let that number fool you. His pedigree and resume reads like a dream coach. Stops at Utah, Utah State, Louisville, Notre Dame, and USC (where he was also a backup QB and eventual safety on several Rose Bowl teams as an undergrad). Does Mike Sanford have the skill to turn a program around? On paper, yes. But again, sometimes, coordinators that are lighting the world on fire do not a head coach make.
Players and Stats of Note
For the Sycamores, the success of the offense this season falls squarely on senior running back Buck Logan (great name, by the way). Last season saw Logan average over four yards a carry but only 50 yards per game. A new face that could get touches is Cincinnati Bearcat transfer Deionte Buckley. The QB position at ISU also features a Cincy transfer in newcomer Patrick Coyne, but returning starter Mike Perish looks to be the presumptive favorite, given the senior is featured on the Sycamore media guide
Defensively, the Sycamores weren’t awful but they weren’t all that fantastic. Allowing right at 365 yards per game and 36 points per game, that’s not a recipe for success. They return notable players in senior Connor Underwood (All-Conference LB) and Jameer Thurman (DB, runner-up Missouri Valley Freshman of the Year) who have the potential to create issues for a BSU offense that may be either banged up from Iowa or still trying to get their rhythm in a new system.
If Indiana State Football Was a Musician…
This one was surprisingly difficult for me. So I turned to resident OTP musical expert and Muncie bureau chief, Edge. “Hootie & The Blowfish, only with no Hootie. Like when you ask someone to list Indiana colleges, they usually end with, “oh yeah, Indiana State, I always forget that one.” The Blowfish get the same response to the question of who were the great 90s bands.”
How Worried Are We?
Given the lack of offensive firepower, the porous defense, and the inexperience at the head coach position, there is no reason for Cardinals fans to be significantly worried about Indiana State. This isn’t Liberty. This isn’t New Hampshire. This isn’t even Illinois State from recent memory. The OTP Threat Level checks in at Code Green, the second Code Green of the non-conference schedule. Is it possible that Indiana State pulls an upset? Sure. It’s possible. But as we described in our last piece for Iowa, it’s going to take a Herculean effort from the Sycamores and a significant lack of effort from the Cardinals. There’s the old “Any given Saturday…” logic, but I’d plan for a nice easy Saturday of tailgating, Cardinal touchdowns, and a relaxing afternoon over our in-state brethren.
Enemy Recon
Surprisingly enough, Indiana State has a very active internet community with Sycamore Pride. It’s essentially the BSUFans for ISU supporters, but to see such a vocal and active virtual gathering place for an FCS crowd is impressive. You can check out the website here or follow them on Twitter @SycamorePride.
In an effort to educate, inform, preview and most importantly, poke fun of those who dare add the Ball State Cardinals to their football schedule, OTP is proud to bring back a tradition here at the Pylon, Know an Opponent, in this case, the Know a ’14 Opponent series. Some things to note… this isn’t heavy lifting with broken down statistics, game film replays, or random things like that. It’s still preseason after all, and that kind of analysis and evaluation is best saved for game week. So buckle up kiddies… time to Know a ’14 Opponent!
Colgate Raiders
When I was a little boy, there was a bully in class that was a real piece of work. Made fun of me. Knocked my mechanical pencils off the desk. Acted like my grocery bag book covers were not the absolute bomb. Didn’t appreciate my GI Joe Trapper Keeper. This kid was clearly an asshole. His parents were assholes. His grandmammy was probably an asshole, too. He was also significantly bigger than me and may or may not have spent time in prison. I’d like to tell you about the time I stood up to him, punched him in his asshole mouth, and then went on to third grade glory with the third grade hottie, but not all stories have happy endings. No, I didn’t stand up to Bully McDickhead. I just rode out the rest of 3rd grade, he moved, and I can only assume he is wearing a paper hat to work and using a squeegee mop on the regular. The moral of this story is: I knew my place at the time and didn’t feel like standing up for Duke and his battle against Cobra Command was worth an ass beating. I was a logical thinker even then. Colgate would do well to heed similar advice before journeying to Muncie. You’ve been warned, Raiders. There’s still time. Get out while you still can.
What Have You Done For Me Lately?
Colgate is in what you might call, “a transition year”. At the head of the snake, Dick Biddle retired after 18 years and 7 Patriot League titles. Replacing him is his Associate Coach Dan Hunt, whose parents would have named Mike had they even a modicum of a sense of humor. Hunt has assured folks that nothing significant will change, and most expect the Raiders to continue to be a pound it down your throat run-first team. In addition to losing their coach, they lose QB Gavin McCarney, who just happened to be the leading rusher amongst QBs in the Patriot League ever. That’s probably going to be felt. Defensively, Raiders fans hope it’s a transition year as last year wasn’t a good one. The unit gave up over 30 points a game, which should make Ozzie Mann and a Cardinal offense hoping to hit the ground running this year slightly excited. They finished 2013 at 4-8, but they did win the Patriot League in 2012, a Patriot League that used to be home to one Pete Lembo.
The Man Who Wears the Headset You know what’s crazy about Colgate’s head coach? It’s an endowed position. Alums of the university help fund the football coach’s salary like some faculty jobs. So Dan Hunt is not just “Head Football Coach”. Oh, no. Dan Hunt is the Fred ‘50 and Marilyn Dunlap Head Football Coach. That is so East Coast. It’s Hunt’s first year in the big chair, but not his first year in the program, as he has been there since 1996, directing the offense. One side of the coin would say he would be the coach that should have the greatest chance for success. He knows the program, knows the players, knows where they keep the paperclips in the supply closet. There’s a flip side to that coin, though, and I’d point to the 2009 Ball State team to demonstrate that just because you are an effective Coordinator there isn’t a guarantee that you’re going to be a successful head coach. Just something to think about.
Players and Stats of Note
As mentioned, the Patriot League’s version of Dan Lefevour is gone, so the next man up for the Raiders is presumably Jake Melville. The sophomore comes in with an Ozzie Mann-esque task of providing just enough of a threat that the run game can flourish. These days it’s rare to have a fullback generate significant headlines, but Raider fullback Ed Pavalko was a preseason All-Conference selection and a three-year letter winner. He’ll be the one clearing the holes for any one of the bevy of running backs that Colgate can trot out. The defense last season for Colgate gave up in excess of 30 points per game, but Hunt has emphasized that the defense will be taking a more pressure approach to their scheme this fall. They return Mike Armiento in their secondary, and after hauling in 6 INTs last season, I’m sure he’s hoping for Ozzie Mann passes gone awry.
If Colgate Football Was a Musician
I think it’s cute that Colgate has decided to step up to the plate and play big boy football. But, the fact remains that they are a bit over their skis. Not all football teams are created equal and the bottom line is that a 4-8 team from the Patriot League with a new head coach and QB needs to know their place and stick to what they are good at, none of which is coming to Muncie and putting the Cardinals on upset alert. “Stay in your lane” is good advice for reaching football teams and bands who cover songs and artists they have no business covering. But you tried, and for that, we thank you. Congrats, Colgate, you are Limp Bizkit covering The Who.
How Worried Are We
The return of the OTP Threat Level!
Perhaps nothing is more indicative of the growing obesity of America than the fact that appetizers are an almost expected thing. “I can’t wait for the meal, so please, bring me some fried food to tide me over before I get the actual entrée, which will most likely be fried as well.” Sure, it’s gluttonous and probably unneeded, but I’ll be damned if I don’t get an order of Dill Chips or 7 Tidals every time I go to the Brewhouse. In similar fashion, Colgate provides a tasty little morsel to work the kinks out and get an idea of what the BSU offense is going to look like in year one with Joey Lynch as OC and without Keith Wenning at QB. Defensively, the new look Kevin Kelly regime begins with an offense that likes to run, the specific sort of attack that at times flummoxed the Jay Bateman administration. Can the Raiders pull an upset? I assume it is possible. It is also possible that I’m going to come home from work today to find Kate Upton waiting on a bearskin rug with a bottle of bourbon and some dill chips. Mmmmmm…. dill chips. So, Colgate opens our Know a ’14 Opponent with a nice cool Code Green. Next up? Iowa. And that threat level is likely to increase.
Enemy Recon
Surprisingly enough, there isn’t a tremendous web presence for FCS Patriot League teams. People say the same thing about MAC schools, and I know how frustrating that can be. Should you want to read up for yourself on some Colgate goodies, you can check out their official sports page here. There’s a messageboard here and you can check out a fan site here.
We are ten days away, Cardinals fans. Ten days. That’s all the time you have left to get yourself ready for the 2014 version of east central Indiana’s Greatest Show on Field Turf. Some things to ask yourself:
Is your cooler clean? (I’m sure you need to wash out the remnants of the ice bucket challenge unless you’re the one person who hasn’t done it. And then posted it on Facebook)
Menu prepped for the first tailgate of the year? (Brat burgers from Edge is something I’d recommend)
Playlist ready to entertain your guests and parking lot neighbors? (LMFAO is sooo 2013, bro)
Have you worked out your taunting and hatred for home opponents? (First up is Colgate. We’ll have something later today you might want to check out)
Do you have tickets? (If you do, good for you, buy some more. If you don’t, hop on over to the BSU Sports mothership and pick up a few dozen. If you’re that special kind of person that uses your student ID from ten years ago to get in free, I can only hope you step on a rusty screwdriver on your way in. Not cool, man.)
Answered yes to all of the above? Tickets in hand, clean cooler ready for all manner of hoppy goodness, Spotify playlist ready to go, and some tasty hate morsels to lob at the dozens of Colgate Raider fans that will journey to the mecca that is Muncie? Then you, sir, or madam as the case may be, are ready. If not, you have time. But not much. You’ve had all summer to get ready for August 30. Get the lead out, princess. Opening days only come along once a year.
For those that say college athletics isn’t a meaningful and worthwhile way to spend time, energy, or passion, I think you just need to show them this and that argument is invalid…
With this video of Nick Pavlak, a junior offensive lineman, getting that elusive scholarship it just is full of win all around. Kudos to CPL and the program for making it happen and kudos to Sportslink for putting it out there. Well done all around.
Sweet mother of football, we are mere weeks away from the season-opener on August 30 against Colgate. But before that can happen, there’s something else equally important to be accomplished. Like Allen Iverson said, “We talkin’ ’bout practice, man” and the Fighting Football Cardinals officially kick off their 2014 campaign with the opening of camp Thursday. Per the BSU release…
Ball State’s football team, under the direction of fourth-year head coach Pete Lembo, will begin its preseason camp with the first official practice Thursday at 7:15 p.m.
All of the Cardinals practices are open to the public and free of charge. Ball State will complete the preseason camp Sun., Aug. 17 and take Mon., Aug. 18 off for the first day of classes.
The Cardinals play six games at Scheumann Stadium in 2014, including five on Saturdays. Ball State – the only team in the nation to increase its win total in each of the last four seasons – kicks off the 2014 campaign at 2 p.m. Aug. 30 versus Colgate. Season tickets are now on sale and prices begin at less than $8 per game. Visit BallStateSports.com/Tickets for more pricing plans.
The complete preseason practice schedule is below, and subject to change. Call the football office at 765.285.8251 for updates as the practices progress.
Thurs., July 31 – Practice #1 (7:15 p.m.)
Fri., Aug. 1 – Practice #2 (2:15 p.m.)
Sat., Aug. 2 – Practice #3 (2:15 p.m.)
Sun., Aug. 3 – Practice #4 (2:15 p.m.)
Mon., Aug. 4 – Practice #5 (2:15 p.m.)
Tues., Aug. 5 – PAINT THE TOWN RED (Noon) – Downtown Muncie
Wed., Aug. 6 – Practice #6 and #7 (8 a.m. & 7:15 p.m.)
Thurs., Aug. 7 – Practice #8 (2:15 p.m.)
Fri., Aug. 8 – Practice #9 and #10 (8 a.m. & 7:15 p.m.)
Sat., Aug. 9 – Practice #11 (2:15 p.m.)
Sun., Aug. 10 – Practice #12 and #13 (8 a.m. & 7:15 p.m.)
Mon., Aug. 11 – NO PRACTICE
Tues., Aug. 12 – Practice #14 (2:15 p.m.)
Wed., Aug. 13 – Practice #15 (7:15 p.m.)
Thurs., Aug. 14 – Practice #16 (2:15 p.m.)
Fri., Aug. 15 – Practice #17 (2:15 p.m.)
Sat., Aug. 16 – Practice #18 (8 a.m.) and FAN JAM (5 p.m.) – Scheumann Stadium
Sun., Aug. 17 – Practice #19 (8 a.m.)
Mon., Aug. 18 – NO PRACTICE
Tues., Aug. 19 – Practice #20 (3:35 p.m.)
Wed., Aug. 20 – Practice #21 (3:35 p.m.)
Thurs., Aug. 21 – Practice #22 (3:35 p.m.)
Fri., Aug. 22 – Practice #23 (7:15 p.m.)
Sat., Aug. 23 – Practice #24 (2:15 p.m.)
Sun., Aug. 24 – Practice #25 (5:05 p.m.)
So get yourself ready for practice and also Paint the Town Red and Fan Jam. Football is right around the corner. Yipee!
Mid-American Conference Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher took some time at Media Day to speak on the State of the Conference. It wasn’t widely broadcast and wasn’t part of the ESPN3 coverage. That doesn’t mean it isn’t something you should watch. Once Dr. Jon gets done with the thank yous, the introductions, and the gladhanding (about the 2:30 mark) it’s actually not a bad way to spend 15 minutes or so. It gives some good perspective on where the conference has come from and more importantly, where the conference is headed. Of particular note is the heavy hand that Dr. Jon reigns with in regard to the shifting landscape of pay for play and the college football playoff. He also went all Ginger Hammer on coaches who may get caught cheating, stating they’d be fired and his one word Popovich-esque answer for whether the power five will break away. It’s worth your time.
When the MAC media preseason poll was released today, I was quite vocal about how I thought the media as a whole had put the screws to the Cardinals. Voting Ball State third in the MAC West I wasn’t that fired up about. Voting Central Michigan first in the West twice? That’s where I draw a line. But perhaps I was overreacting. Obviously with my Cardinal colored glasses, sometimes I get a tree lost amidst the forest. Was that really all that bad?
We at the Pylon decided to reach out to a neutral third-party observer to ensure we were not inadequately fired up about these poll shenanigans at the hands of the dastardly MAC media conglomerate.
Coach Gundy, any thoughts on the MAC Media preseason poll released today?
That was sort of my thoughts as well. But let’s get a little more in depth. The most obvious thing that I thought was amiss was the fact that Central Michigan had two first place votes and the team immediately above them had none. That team happens to be Ball State. Any reason as to why a team that limped home to 6 wins, most of which came against the bottom of the barrel would get voted so high?
But are we wrong to get upset about our team again being overlooked and undervalued from those in the know? These are supposed to be the best and the brightest in the media that champion all the good things about college athletics. Right?
So I take it you’re not a fan of the media. Not even your local newspaper? I mean here, take a look at the latest edition of the Muncie Star Press and tell me what you think about that…
Well, not everything can be perfect. There are probably times when everyone makes mistakes. Thoughts on the myriad other ways to stay connected to Ball State athletics besides OverThePylon?
Can’t argue with that. So back to the MAC Media Poll, is there any explanation for the oddities of the poll? And not just the CMU thing. There’s the love for NIU with significant questions, some fliers taken on Akron, and a whole host of other things that just seem to defy explanation. Buffalo in 4th in the East? Come on. Any rationale?
That’s a bold accusation, Coach. Perhaps you could give us your opinion of some of the teams in the conference.
Toledo?
Bowling Green?
NIU?
Buffalo?
I’m noticing a pattern. We’ve been hard at the Pylon on WMU’s PJ Fleck. Between the dancing, the dj, and the boat oars, we’ve taken a fair share of jabs at Coach Fleck. Your thoughts on him?
I’m actually kind of shocked. Anything else to add before we let you go, Coach?
Wednesday marks the unofficial start to football season as MAC Media Day gets underway from Ford Field in Detroit. See, it’s cyclical because the MAC season ends there too. Oh MAC, you are a clever one.
The festivities are from 12-4 and that includes things like the commissioner’s address and time with every single coach and two players from each MAC squad. There are several ways to loop yourself into the MACtion, and this is what we would do if we were you and what we will do because we are us…
Broadcast radio coverage in Muncie is on Fox Sports Radio 102.9 FM or 1340 AM starts at 1 with voice of the Cardinals Joel Godett (the man who apparently needs no sleep as all he does is work) (which is incidentally the original chorus of the DJ Khalid song. Not nearly as catchy). You get 40 minutes of that until Reds coverage starts and then you have to flip over to…
BallStateSports.com will have your listen live links for when the radio becomes a Joey Votto lovefest. I would imagine they’ll have all of it, not just the preempted by baseball substance, so I’d check it out at 1.
For the Cardinals, Pete Lembo, Quake Edwards, and Ben Ingle will be the guests of record and they’ll be on throughout the program. Godett will also get a chance to sit down with various other players and coaches throughout the day from around the conference, including the MAC commissioner.
If you’re the Tweeting type, you should be following (if not already) @JoelGodett, @BallStateSports, and @BallStateFB. There will be opportunities to ask questions through Joel of the various people he talks to.
If you want to watch and not listen, and we all know how you like to watch, ESPN’s Michael Reghi and Dustin Fox will be interviewing players and coaches and previewing the upcoming season on ESPN3 today from 2-4 p.m. ET. You can catch all the action from your WatchESPN app, WatchESPN.com, or the ESPN3 hub on MAC-Sports.com.
So, you’ ve got about two and a half hours to accomplish something at the office before you mentally check out for the rest of the day to get yourself prepared for the fall football season. Plan accordingly.