Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Riley Miller Selected as Ball State Football’s 2018 Most Outstanding Player
December 08, 2018 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State football team put a wrap on the 2018 season with its annual Honors Banquet Saturday night inside Worthen Arena. Junior wide receiver Riley Miller took home the team's top honor, the John Magnabosco Most Outstanding Player Award.
Miller was one of the Mid-American Conference's top receiving threats this fall. The local product from Yorktown, Indiana, ranked third in the league in receptions per game (5.1) and fourth in receiving yards per game (73.2). He recorded a touchdown reception in six straight games to end the season on the way to earning second team All-MAC accolades. Miller piled up a career-best 208 receiving yards in the win over Kent State on Sept. 29 and became the first Cardinal to reach 200 receiving yards in a game since Willie Snead in 2012.
The Magnabosco Award is named in honor of Ball State's head football coach from 1935-52. Magnabosco's 68 victories as the Cardinals' head coach still stand as the program record.
The Willie Snead True Cardinal Award went to senior offensive lineman Alex Joss. This award is meant to honor a player who goes above and beyond the call of a collegiate football student-athlete. Snead, who concluded his Cardinals career in 2013, racked up 2,991 receiving yards in his three years on the team, the second most in Ball State history. Undrafted out of college, Snead was let go by two NFL teams before making a name for himself with the New Orleans Saints. He is now a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
Joss, a fifth-year player from Novi, Michigan, battled back from a severe knee injury in the 2017 season opener to suit up for the Cardinals at the beginning of this season. He played in the first two games, including a start at left guard at No. 8 Notre Dame, before suffering another knee injury against the Fighting Irish. Joss was Ball State's nominee for this year's Campbell Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation's top scholar-athlete.
Junior offensive lineman Danny Pinter and sophomore linebacker Brandon Martin were the co-recipients of the Dave McClain Leadership Award. The McClain Award is given in memory of the deceased Dave McClain, who was Ball State's head football coach from 1971-77 and guided the Cardinals to a 46-25-3 overall record. He oversaw the Cardinals during the transition into the Mid-American Conference and NCAA Division I football. McClain led Ball State to the 1976 MAC championship in only the Cardinals' second season in the conference. His final three Ball State teams posted a combined 26-7 overall mark and a 13-4 MAC record.
Pinter made the transition from tight end to offensive tackle this year. The native of South Bend, Indiana, was the only offensive lineman to start all 12 games in 2018. Pinter lined up at right tackle and helped the Cardinals pile up a program record 652 yards of offense in the win over Central Connecticut. Martin, hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, was a key contributor at inside linebacker. He piled up a personal-high 14 tackles and an interception at Toledo on Oct. 31.
The John Hodge Award, which goes to the team's most valuable freshman, went to cornerback Amechi Uzodinma. His primary position in high school was wide receiver, but Uzodinma made an immediate impact on defense for the Cardinals. The native of Orlando, Florida, played in all 12 games on defense and special teams, and earned starts at cornerback in four of the final five contests. Uzodinma tied for the team lead with five pass break-ups and his interception at Toledo on Oct. 31 was named the top play on ESPN SportsCenter's 'Top 10 Plays' the following morning.
Sophomore quarterback Drew Plitt came away with the Ray Louthen Award. This award, which honors the memory of the former Ball State head football coach (1962-67) and school's athletics director (1970-81), is bestowed upon the team's most improved player(s).
Plitt was thrust into the team's starting quarterback role in late October after an injury sidelined Riley Neal for the rest of the season. Plitt, a native of Loveland, Ohio, threw for a career-high 340 yards and a touchdown at Toledo on Oct. 31. He then led the Cardinals to an exciting 42-41 overtime win over Western Michigan on Nov. 13. Plitt was named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week after that win thanks to tossing three touchdown passes and completing 80.8 percent (21-of-26) of his pass attempts versus WMU.
The Bill Meitzler Scout Team Players of the Year were running back Will Jones and linebacker Hank Grenda. The award is given in honor of the former Cardinal Varsity Club board member and longtime fan and supporter of Ball State football. Jones had 21 carries in 2018, including a team season-best 80-yard touchdown run against Eastern Michigan on Oct. 20. Grenda saw action in 11 games and tallied a personal-high four stops in the win over Western Michigan on Nov. 13.
Senior kicker Morgan Hagee received the Bill Reynolds Special Teams Award. The award is named in memory of Reynolds, who spent 31 years as a volunteer in the Ball State athletics department with an emphasis on the football program prior to his death in the summer of 2000. Hagee, hailing from Plainfield, Indiana, leaves Ball State ranked third on the program's all-time scoring list with 282 points. He lifted the Cardinals to a 24-23 win at Central Michigan on Oct. 13 when he nailed a 36-yard field goal with 47 seconds remaining.
The Gene Booker Academic Award went to junior tight end Kyle Schrank. The award has been given annually since 1978 and was named in honor of Gene Booker for the first time in 2011. Booker was a member of Ball State's 1949 football team, which is the only unbeaten and untied team in the school's history. Schrank, a two-time Academic All-Mid-American Conference honoree, scored the go-ahead touchdown in overtime against Western Michigan on Nov. 13. The business administration major from Fishers, Indiana, currently carries a 3.781 grade point average and is expected to earn his collegiate degree later this month.
Senior cornerback Josh Miller was honored with the Mark Hays Inspiration Award, which is given to the person(s) who demonstrates the greatest ability to motivate and inspire his teammates. The award is given in the memory of the late son of Kermit and Mary Ellen Hays, both of whom have also passed away. The Hays family spent their lives as fans and supporters of Ball State's athletics program. Miller, a former walk-on transfer from Marian University, started 20 games at defensive back the past two years. He recorded a pair of interceptions this year, including a one-handed grab at No. 8 Notre Dame.
Junior wide receiver Antwan Davis came away with the Paul Schudel Strength and Conditioning Award, which is given in honor of the former Ball State football coach (1985-94), who led the Cardinals to the 1989 and 1993 MAC championships. Schudel guided Ball State to its first-ever NCAA Division I FBS bowl games with appearances in the 1989 California Raisin Bowl and the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl.
Finally, the 12th Man of the Year Award went to Dominick Landreth. The 9-year old with mitochondrial disease joined the team in May through Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams.
Ball State wrapped up the 2018 season with a 4-8 overall record and 3-5 mark in the MAC.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
2018 Ball State Football Team Awards
John Magnabosco Most Outstanding Player … WR Riley Miller
Willie Snead True Cardinal Award … OL Alex Joss
Dave McClain Leadership Award … OL Danny Pinter, LB Brandon Martin
John Hodge Outstanding Freshman Award … CB Amechi Uzodinma
Ray Louthen Most Improved Player … QB Drew Plitt
Bill Meitzler Scout Team Players of the Year … RB Will Jones, LB Hank Grenda
Bill Reynolds Special Teams Player of the Year … K Morgan Hagee
Gene Booker Academic Award … TE Kyle Schrank
Mark Hays Inspiration Award … CB Josh Miller
Paul Schudel Strength & Conditioning Award … WR Antwan Davis
Miller was one of the Mid-American Conference's top receiving threats this fall. The local product from Yorktown, Indiana, ranked third in the league in receptions per game (5.1) and fourth in receiving yards per game (73.2). He recorded a touchdown reception in six straight games to end the season on the way to earning second team All-MAC accolades. Miller piled up a career-best 208 receiving yards in the win over Kent State on Sept. 29 and became the first Cardinal to reach 200 receiving yards in a game since Willie Snead in 2012.
The Magnabosco Award is named in honor of Ball State's head football coach from 1935-52. Magnabosco's 68 victories as the Cardinals' head coach still stand as the program record.
The Willie Snead True Cardinal Award went to senior offensive lineman Alex Joss. This award is meant to honor a player who goes above and beyond the call of a collegiate football student-athlete. Snead, who concluded his Cardinals career in 2013, racked up 2,991 receiving yards in his three years on the team, the second most in Ball State history. Undrafted out of college, Snead was let go by two NFL teams before making a name for himself with the New Orleans Saints. He is now a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
Joss, a fifth-year player from Novi, Michigan, battled back from a severe knee injury in the 2017 season opener to suit up for the Cardinals at the beginning of this season. He played in the first two games, including a start at left guard at No. 8 Notre Dame, before suffering another knee injury against the Fighting Irish. Joss was Ball State's nominee for this year's Campbell Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation's top scholar-athlete.
Junior offensive lineman Danny Pinter and sophomore linebacker Brandon Martin were the co-recipients of the Dave McClain Leadership Award. The McClain Award is given in memory of the deceased Dave McClain, who was Ball State's head football coach from 1971-77 and guided the Cardinals to a 46-25-3 overall record. He oversaw the Cardinals during the transition into the Mid-American Conference and NCAA Division I football. McClain led Ball State to the 1976 MAC championship in only the Cardinals' second season in the conference. His final three Ball State teams posted a combined 26-7 overall mark and a 13-4 MAC record.
Pinter made the transition from tight end to offensive tackle this year. The native of South Bend, Indiana, was the only offensive lineman to start all 12 games in 2018. Pinter lined up at right tackle and helped the Cardinals pile up a program record 652 yards of offense in the win over Central Connecticut. Martin, hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, was a key contributor at inside linebacker. He piled up a personal-high 14 tackles and an interception at Toledo on Oct. 31.
The John Hodge Award, which goes to the team's most valuable freshman, went to cornerback Amechi Uzodinma. His primary position in high school was wide receiver, but Uzodinma made an immediate impact on defense for the Cardinals. The native of Orlando, Florida, played in all 12 games on defense and special teams, and earned starts at cornerback in four of the final five contests. Uzodinma tied for the team lead with five pass break-ups and his interception at Toledo on Oct. 31 was named the top play on ESPN SportsCenter's 'Top 10 Plays' the following morning.
Sophomore quarterback Drew Plitt came away with the Ray Louthen Award. This award, which honors the memory of the former Ball State head football coach (1962-67) and school's athletics director (1970-81), is bestowed upon the team's most improved player(s).
Plitt was thrust into the team's starting quarterback role in late October after an injury sidelined Riley Neal for the rest of the season. Plitt, a native of Loveland, Ohio, threw for a career-high 340 yards and a touchdown at Toledo on Oct. 31. He then led the Cardinals to an exciting 42-41 overtime win over Western Michigan on Nov. 13. Plitt was named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week after that win thanks to tossing three touchdown passes and completing 80.8 percent (21-of-26) of his pass attempts versus WMU.
The Bill Meitzler Scout Team Players of the Year were running back Will Jones and linebacker Hank Grenda. The award is given in honor of the former Cardinal Varsity Club board member and longtime fan and supporter of Ball State football. Jones had 21 carries in 2018, including a team season-best 80-yard touchdown run against Eastern Michigan on Oct. 20. Grenda saw action in 11 games and tallied a personal-high four stops in the win over Western Michigan on Nov. 13.
Senior kicker Morgan Hagee received the Bill Reynolds Special Teams Award. The award is named in memory of Reynolds, who spent 31 years as a volunteer in the Ball State athletics department with an emphasis on the football program prior to his death in the summer of 2000. Hagee, hailing from Plainfield, Indiana, leaves Ball State ranked third on the program's all-time scoring list with 282 points. He lifted the Cardinals to a 24-23 win at Central Michigan on Oct. 13 when he nailed a 36-yard field goal with 47 seconds remaining.
The Gene Booker Academic Award went to junior tight end Kyle Schrank. The award has been given annually since 1978 and was named in honor of Gene Booker for the first time in 2011. Booker was a member of Ball State's 1949 football team, which is the only unbeaten and untied team in the school's history. Schrank, a two-time Academic All-Mid-American Conference honoree, scored the go-ahead touchdown in overtime against Western Michigan on Nov. 13. The business administration major from Fishers, Indiana, currently carries a 3.781 grade point average and is expected to earn his collegiate degree later this month.
Senior cornerback Josh Miller was honored with the Mark Hays Inspiration Award, which is given to the person(s) who demonstrates the greatest ability to motivate and inspire his teammates. The award is given in the memory of the late son of Kermit and Mary Ellen Hays, both of whom have also passed away. The Hays family spent their lives as fans and supporters of Ball State's athletics program. Miller, a former walk-on transfer from Marian University, started 20 games at defensive back the past two years. He recorded a pair of interceptions this year, including a one-handed grab at No. 8 Notre Dame.
Junior wide receiver Antwan Davis came away with the Paul Schudel Strength and Conditioning Award, which is given in honor of the former Ball State football coach (1985-94), who led the Cardinals to the 1989 and 1993 MAC championships. Schudel guided Ball State to its first-ever NCAA Division I FBS bowl games with appearances in the 1989 California Raisin Bowl and the 1993 Las Vegas Bowl.
Finally, the 12th Man of the Year Award went to Dominick Landreth. The 9-year old with mitochondrial disease joined the team in May through Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams.
Ball State wrapped up the 2018 season with a 4-8 overall record and 3-5 mark in the MAC.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
2018 Ball State Football Team Awards
John Magnabosco Most Outstanding Player … WR Riley Miller
Willie Snead True Cardinal Award … OL Alex Joss
Dave McClain Leadership Award … OL Danny Pinter, LB Brandon Martin
John Hodge Outstanding Freshman Award … CB Amechi Uzodinma
Ray Louthen Most Improved Player … QB Drew Plitt
Bill Meitzler Scout Team Players of the Year … RB Will Jones, LB Hank Grenda
Bill Reynolds Special Teams Player of the Year … K Morgan Hagee
Gene Booker Academic Award … TE Kyle Schrank
Mark Hays Inspiration Award … CB Josh Miller
Paul Schudel Strength & Conditioning Award … WR Antwan Davis
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