Behind Enemy Lines: Getting to know the Ball State Cardinals

Getting to know Kentucky's week one opponent, Ball State.

Ball State is heading to Lexington for a matchup with the Kentucky Wildcats to open both team's seasons. 

Kentucky fans might not know all that much about Ball State's football team, so we did the digging so you don't have to. 

Let's get to know the Ball State Cardinals from Gus Martin, who covers the team. 

What players should Kentucky fans know?

© Gus Martin / The Star Press / USA TODAY NETWORK

Martin- Offensively, BSU's top players are TE's Brady Hunt (currently dealing with an ankle injury, expected to play but not guaranteed) and Tanner Koziol (the pair combined for 750+ yards and 12 TD's in 2022 as underclassmen), and RB's Marquez Cooper (transfer from Kent State, 2nd leading rusher in MAC in 2022) and Vaughn Pemberton (sneaky quick big back with good receiving skills). The team also has 3 All-Conference-caliber offensive linemen in C Ethan Crowe, RT Damon Kaylor, and LT Corey Stewart.

What style of offense do the Cardinals run?

© Mike Weaver/Special to Courier Journal, Louisville Courier Journal via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Martin- I only covered 2 BSU football games last year, so it's hard for me to speak on this concretely, but from what I saw and what fans generally say, BSU runs a pretty bland and uninspiring style of offense. Coaches say they are trying to spice it up some this year, and I think they have the on-paper talent to do so, but I'll believe it when I see it. The offense looked improved by the end of camp, though, but it was rough at first.

Is Ball State a young or older team?

© Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal and USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK

Martin- This is a pretty veteran-laden group overall I'd say. Both lines, the RB's and LB's, are very experienced. Starting QB has over 10,000 yards and 84 TD's across four years of playing at other schools. DB's are a mix of younger and older. TE's are proven top young talents nationally. Only real unproven youth is at WR, where only one player (who is a backup) has D1 production (at Jax State).

Tell me about the QB room

© Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Matrin- Starting QB is 5th-year transfer Layne Hatcher, a former redshirt at Alabama who played at Texas State and Arkansas State. He is a short, stocky pocket passer with good counting stats, and appears to be a good leader with knowledge of the game, but I have my doubts about his talent and ability to push the ball downfield. In practice, he seems most comfortable on short-to-medium routes and hits crossers and out-routes well. Accurate on short throws. He was also outplayed by true freshman Kadin Semonza (QB2) for most of camp.

---

Other Stories

Kentucky basketball 2023 backcourt depth chart: Wildcats look extremely deep

Mark Stoops is trying to flip Michigan commits Jerod and Jacob Smith to stay home and play for the Wildcats

Kentucky Briefing: Zvonimir Ivisic is officially a Wildcat

An updated look at Kentucky basketball's non-conference schedule

Kentucky football just outside Preseason AP Top 25 Poll

WATCH: Carrington Valentine picks off a pass in his first NFL game

Follow Wildcats Today on Socials!

Like Wildcats Today on Facebook!

Follow Wildcats Today on Twitter!

Subscribe to Locked On Kentucky on YouTube!