Offense

Quarterback: The Cardinals‘ roster relies on a lot of young players, but everything starts with freshman quarterback Keith Wenning. The true freshman signal caller has gotten the majority of snaps under center, starting nine contests for Ball State this season.

On the season, Wenning has thrown for 1,349 yards with 14 touchdowns, but also has the same amount of interceptions.

“I know [Ball State head coach Stan Parrish] is fired up about that for the future is that they’ve gotten better each week, certainly here in the last three,” NIU head coach Jerry Kill said.

Grade: C-

Running Back: The Cardinals’ backfield features a balanced attack consisting of Eric Williams, MiQuale Lewis and David Brown. Lewis was granted a fifth season of eligibility after suffering an injury during the 2007 season. Williams is a sophomore who is coming off a season-high 109 yard-performance.

Ball State’s running game ranks 57th overall in the nation with 155.8 yards per game and seven total touchdowns.

Grade: B-

Wide Receivers: Two of Ball State’s top receivers are true freshman in Jack Tomlinson and Otis Brown. Tomlinson and Brown rank first and second in receptions, and they’re the only two receivers to catch more than one touchdown pass with five and three, respectively. Both receivers stand at five-feet-nine-inches and are equipped with good speed.

Grade: C

Offensive Line: Losing your best offensive lineman can be significantly detrimental to any football team.

For the Cardinals, they’re still recovering after starting left tackle Cam Lowry went down in week four with a torn ACL. Ball State has shuffled in multiple players up front, due to both a lack of performance and injuries.

Grade: D+

Defense 

Defensive line: Senior defensive end Robert Eddins is the driving force for Ball State’s pass rush. The Detroit, Mich. native has accumulated 13 sacks the past two seasons, with six coming this year. Eddins also leads the Cardinals with 12 tackles for a loss.

“Defensively, we struggled a little bit last year with them,” said NIU head coach Jerry Kill. “They don’t give you the big play. They make you earn things.”

Grade: C+

Linebackers: The starting trio of Davyd Jones, Travis Freeman and Tony Martin play at a fast level. They aren’t overwhelmingly talented, but are consistent wrapping up the opposition. NIU’s offensive line will need to lockup on this quick trio in hopes of getting its ground game going. The Cardinals return many faces on defense that the Huskies will recognize.

“There are a lot of kids that played on the defensive side a year ago,” said NIU head coach Jerry Kill.

Grade: B-

Defensive Backs: The strength of the defense, and perhaps of Ball State as a whole, might reside in its secondary. NIU quarterback Chandler Harnish will need to watch out for Cardinals’ starting free safety Sean Baker. The ball-hawking junior ranks second on Ball State’s defense with 80 total tackles.

Baker also leads the team with six interceptions. Cornerback Jason Pinkston has harassed opposing quarterbacks as well, totaling four picks on the season.

Grade: B

Special Teams: Senior kicker Ian McGarvey has reeled off consecutive MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

McGarvey has connected on 14 of his 17 field goal attempts thus far. Where Ball State can really cause problems for the Huskies, however, is in its coverage schemes, especially when NIU drops back to punt.

“Overall, if I start with special teams, what they do on special teams or coverage teams, I know they’re going to pressure in the punt block schemes,” said NIU head coach Jerry Kill.

Grade: C+