Ball State University Athletics
#CardinalCamp15 Update: A Long Sunday
August 17, 2015 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – After taking a day off from practicing on Saturday, the Ball State football team returned to the turf for a morning and evening practice Sunday. Some more news and notes from camp are below …
QUOTING COACH PETE LEMBO: “We showed better energy today than our last double. We are finally starting to get a few guys back. I also think the guys are starting to get their legs back after working out the all the soreness from the first week of preseason camp.”
WHAT'S MAKING ALL THAT NOISE?: One of the team situations the offense faced in the morning was a two-minute drill in a hostile environment. Simulated crowd noise was turned up on the speakers to give the offense some difficulties with communication. “We continue to emphasize situations in practice and I think it's important to challenge players mentally with situations like this one,” Lembo said.
THAT PLAY'S A KEEPER: In one of the team sessions during the evening practice, sophomore RB Darian Green took a well-designed screen and raced about 50 yards untouched and probably would have scored, but the play was whistled dead.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: Junior WR KeVonn Mabon made an impressive catch over a defender for a big gain along the left sideline during a pass skeleton drill in the nightcap. Mabon has made several of those type of catches throughout camp. At the end of the same drill, freshman WR Clayton Cook earned a roar from his offensive teammates as he held onto a reception after taking a significant hit from a defender.
POSITION BATTLE: The coaching staff ended Sunday evening's practice with a pressure field goal attempt. The entire team was allowed to surround the kickers as they attempted a 40-yard field goal. Both kickers – freshman Morgan Hagee and junior Alex Egan – had plenty of distance with their respective kicks, but both missed wide left. Coach Lembo noted the two kickers are making the vast majority of their kicks and need to focus on the pressure situations. Sophomore Steve Drida has shown promise on kickoffs and may have found his niche in that spot. “As a coach, you want to see every player develop a role and add value to the team,” Lembo said. “If Steve continues to improve, that's good for him and for us.”
THE WEEK AHEAD: The football team tackles its fourth and final two-a-day on Tuesday. A scrimmage is still scheduled for the Tuesday evening practice. On Wednesday, the football players will lend a hand during Ball State's 'Move-In Day' in the morning before getting dressed for individual and team pictures in the afternoon. Thursday, Friday and Saturday practices are all slated for 2:15 p.m.
For the most up-to-date news on the football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @Pete_Lembo.
