Ball State University Athletics
Football Opens Spring Practice
March 28, 2011 | Football
Ball State first-year head coach Pete Lembo will usher in the 2011 season with Spring Practice in preparation for the season opener Sept. 3.
"As we work through our spring practice sessions, the focus will be more internal," Lembo says. "We are evaluating the players we have, establishing a preliminary depth chart and trying to put our guys in position to be successful. We will be introducing a new system in all three phases of the game, developing our personnel and introducing situations that occur over the course of a season. Once we get into preseason practice in August, there will still be some internal competition for playing time, but we will gradually shift our focus to the season - specifically the first game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Cardinals will open the 2011 season Sept. 3, vs. Indiana at Lucas Oil. Ball State will play at South Florida, host Army and play at Oklahoma in the non-conference portion of their schedule.
Ball State opens Mid-American Conference play Sept. 17 with a home game vs. Buffalo, and will celebrate Homecoming Oct. 8 vs. Temple in a MAC match-up.
"I cannot say enough good things about this group of players," Lembo says. "Since our first team meeting in January, their attitude, work ethic and willingness to buy into everything we have presented to them has been excellent. There have been many changes and they have taken these in stride. They have been a fun group of guys. We need to become more focused and a bit more mature, but that will come in time. These players want to win and are willing to do what it takes to win. They take pride in being Ball State Cardinals."
Ball State's practices are open to the public. The practice schedule is tentative and subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on practice, please call the football office at 765.285.8251.
Practices will typically start at 3:30 p.m., but dates and times are subject to change. Following are the scheduled days for practice:
Tues., March 29
Wed., March 30
Fri., April 1
Sat., April 2
Tues., April 5
Wed., April 6
Fri., April 8
Sat., April 9
Tues., April 12
Wed., April 13
Fri., April 15
Sat., April 16
Tues., April 19
Wed., April 20
Fri., April 22
Sat., April 23 - SPRING GAME
