Offense explodes at Ball State spring game
MUNCIE – It's about as close as Ball State football coach Pete Lembo will come to a definitive statement on the subject.
His staff plays these position battles close to the vest. It's usually going to be called an open competition right up until the end, even when signs point to things settling down.
So the question came minutes after the Cardinal offense finished off a 56-37 spring game victory, have the past 15 practices brought clarity to the quarterback derby between Jack Milas and Ozzie Mann?
"Jack Milas took all the one snaps (Saturday), and has taken all the one snaps the entire spring," Lembo said. "There's no reason, at this point, to change any of that. I do think Ozzie Mann has done some good things throughout the spring. I think we've got a really good handle on what Ozzie does well."
It couldn't have hurt that both posted strong days as Ball State's offense, much-beleaguered last season, ripped off two strong drives to open the day Saturday. Working with the first unit, Milas went 21-for-26 for 196 yards and a pair of scores, including a 47-yard strike to a streaking Jordan Williams (four catches, 98 yards). Mann almost matched his counterpart's day with 13-for-17 for 169 yards and a 69-yard scoring toss to Devin Reece on third-and-long.
All told, Ball State's offense scored on six of 18 drives with five touchdowns. The first unit had four of the touchdowns on eight drives.
It was a far cry from last year, when both passers, then inexperienced, struggled against the Cardinals defense.
"We moved the ball well and it was definitely better than last year," Milas said. "We've grown tremendously and we need to keep growing even more than we just did in one year.
"It feels way better."
Lembo added the bevy of returners on offense helped everything move smoother on that side of the ball.
The game also served as a chance to showcase the explosiveness of rising sophomore tailback Darian Green. Teammates James Gilbert (47 yards, one TD), Teddy Williamson (34 yards, one TD) and walk-on Spencer Gilbert (35 yards) all produced more, but Green sparked on limited touches. He gained 38 yards on his two carries and two catches, but only played the first few drives.
"We wanted to limit Darian's reps in the scrimmage," Lembo said, calling Green an every-down type player as only a sophomore. "He's an everyday guy. You know exactly who's going to show up. You know he's going to be focused.
"He's had 14 really good practices, and I looked at it like taking a final exam. Sometimes if you perform well enough throughout your class throughout the semester, you opt out of the final."
The defense was in a tight spot as two of the top three safeties (Dae'Shaun Hurley, Dedrick Cromartie) and the top two strongside linebackers (Damon Singleton, Aaron Taylor) didn't suit up.
Even with that, the game was a new beginning for one Cardinal. Defensive end Josh Posley sat out last season after transferring from Cincinnati, and all fall he yearned for the chance to get back onto the field.
He unleashed anything that was pent up, netting three of the team's six sacks (quarterbacks were tagged down). He had one pretty one when he burst past the offensive tackle and slapped the ball out of Mann's hand (he admitted he wanted to be allowed to scoop it for a return).
Posley could play either end spot next season, but Saturday, he was just happy to play in front of Ball State fans for the first time.
"I remember the first game we played, Colgate, I was just sitting out here, watching everybody warm up, put the jerseys on, get ready for pregame, just that game feel." Posley said. "And then I finally got to go out here and have that same experience.
"The strip sack is the best thing you can get as a d(efensive) end, especially as a pass rusher. It felt great."