Ball State Football: 2022 Year in Review

[npklemm]

In 2022, Coach Klemm had to navigate the replacement of QB Jay Larkin and RB Anthony Fisher, both of whom were excellent in Ball State's inaugural season. The Cards als had to replace All-Everything Linebacker Leon Chavez. A year after winning the West, Ball State was hopeful for big things, but that didn't quite pan out. (article template is my own creation)

 

I. The Season

 

 

Week	Opponent	Result	Score
0	Purdue	W	33-17
1	Connecticut	L	10-21
3	New Mexico State	W	24-13
4	Toledo	L	9-10
5	Western Michigan	L	14-34
7	Kent State	W	20-14
8	Miami (OH)	W	41-38
9	Middle Tennessee State	L	13-30
10	Ohio	L	6-7
11	Central Michigan	L	3-6
12	Eastern Michigan	W	26-20
13	Northern Illinois	W	13-10
Arizona Bowl	New Mexico	L	14-38

 

The Cards got some revenge after last season's loss to Purdue to open the season, and Freshman QB Scott Romero looked like a world beater early. But, the shine wore off quickly. Ball State went 2-2 in the Non-Conference Play with losses to both Connecticut and Middle Tennessee State. They fared equally in conference play, going 4-4. They lost to Toledo, Western Michigan, Ohio, and Central Michigan. The Cards kept it super tight against Ohio and Central Michigan, two very promising results going forward. They were able to beat Kent State, Miami (OH), Eastern Michigan, and most importantly, Northern Illinois. Ball State has now won the Bronze Stalk the past two seasons, a trend they hope to continue.

 

The Worst loss in the regular season was the 9-10 loss to Toledo. The Rockets have not been a great team so far, and that loss was certainly a surprise.

The Best win was definitely the 33-17 victory over Purdue (the NIU game was a close second. While the Boilermakers weren't the team they were in 2021, beating a B1G is a big deal for this program.

 

Offensive Stars

 

QB Scott Romero - 283/457 (61.9%) - 3,109 Yards - 14 TD/12INT - 123.93 QB Rating

Romero's season got off to a tremendous start against the Boilermakers, throwing for 386 Yards with 2 TD's and a 172 QB Rating. However, the Freshman just wasn't consistent. He had under 100 QB Rating 5 Times, including his season low in the Bowl Game against New Mexico. The future is bright for Romero, we'll have to work on getting him to a consistent performance.

 

RB Garrett Cordier - 310 Carry - 1,389 Yards - 8 TD - 75 Rec - 839 Rec Yards - 5 TD

Cordier did his best to replace Anthony Fisher, he was the team's leading rusher and receiver. He had over 100 more receiving yards than the next closest player. He's a JR, so we'll get him for one more season. Hopefully a more mature Romero along side a fully developed Cordier can be a great duo next year.

 

Defensive Stars

 

DT Scott Hall - 62 TKL - 25.5 TFL - 6.0 Sacks

A year after terrorizing offenses, the Senior returned for his swan song season and delivered. He lead the team in TFL by 15! He was second on the team in Sacks and Tackles. Hall is definitely a NFL Caliber player and we will sorely miss him.

 

OLB Zach Collins - 34 TKL - 10.5 TFL - 7.5 Sacks - 3 FR

Collins was very quiet in 2021, but exploded in 2022. He finished 2nd in TFL and lead the team in Sacks. Along with Scott Hall, the Cards were a terror to opposing backfields. The Senior Pass Rush Specialist should find a room in the NFL next year.

 

Accolades

 

All MAC 1st Team

OLB Zach Collins

 

All MAC 2nd Team

RB Garret Cordier

DT Scott Hall

SS Robert Ervin

 

All MAC 3rd Team

OG Davontae Kaser

 

II. The Recruits

 

Recruiting got off to a great start, but a string of bad luck lead to a mediocre grade for the Cards.

5* OT John Nunez is the undisputed start of this class, the Cards swung high and were rewarded with a Day One Starter who could be a Round 1 Pick down the line. 4* DE Joerg Berna is the next biggest get for the team, after that are a host of 2/3* Role Guys.

 

Ball State Cardinals Recruits by Number of Stars

	2021	2022
5-star	0	1
4-star	5	1
3-star	12	7
2-star	4	5
1-star	4	0

 

III. The Future

 

The Cards need to replace 7 Starters on Offense and 4 Starters on Defense. They do return QB Scott Romero and RB Garrett Cordier.

 

Here are notable players and position battles we’re we'll see next year. (Grades are Overall / Potential, before progressions. School year as of the 2023 season)

 

OT Joaquin Williams / OT John Nunez

4* JR, B/B+ / 5* FR, B/A-

 

The Cards gave up a ton of sacks in 2022, and John Nunez is an obvious option to help out the Pass Blocking. He's a Balanced Guy, so should be able to slot either at Left or Right. Right Tackle is also up for grabs, but LT is likely where Nunez should slot.

 

C Rob McNichols / C Max Cooks

3* SR, B/C+ / 2* (SO) C/B+

 

Brandon Turbin graduates and leaves a big whole in the middle of the Line. Rob and Max are the two Centers on the roster and either could fill in. Our bet is on Rob at this point, but Max's potential is certainly an appeal to get himself in the game.

 

ROLB

 

With the graduation of Zach Collins, the Cards have a big whole at ROLB opposite Aaron Kelemete. There are 5 guys in the mix, Monte Morris, Wilton Lambo, Adam Dunn, Charles Mooney, and Sean Cooley. Most of these guys will FR/SO, so the Cards will be super young. The lone elder statesman is Wilton Lambo, but he has the lowest potential of the group at C-. Everyone is a C Overall at this point, so Spring/Fall Camps will be essential in figuring this mess out.