Cardinals Feature Aerial Attack in Annual Spring Game

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Big plays through the air highlighted the annual Ball State football spring game Saturday at Scheumann Stadium.

A 30-yard touchdown pass from Drew Plitt to Antwan Davis. A 40-yard strike from John Paddock to Yo'Heinz Tyler. A 67-yard scoring hookup between early enrollee Eddie Schott and Hassan Littles. Even a reverse pass from Riley Miller to Justin Hall. Just to name a few.

The offense scored touchdowns on five of the first six possessions of the modified game. There were no kickoffs, no punt returns. Just eight series of offense versus defense.

Plitt ran with the first team, completing 8-of-10 passes over three series for 110 yards and the touchdown to Davis. Caleb Huntley capped that group's opening possession with a 6-yard touchdown on his sixth carry.

Huntley, Markice Hurt Jr. and Will Jones all ran 10 times on the day and all scored touchdowns. Jones' came at the end of a 17-play, 99-yard drive for the second unit. Paddock orchestrated that drive, first hitting Trevor Hohlt for 29 yards to get the offense out of its own end zone. He also connected on key third-down plays to Littles and Hohlt to keep the chains moving.

Paddock finished the day 11-for-13 for 142 yards and a touchdown to Tyler. Hohlt caught seven passes for 70 yards, while Littles hauled in four for 116 yards to lead a group of 10 players with receptions.

Littles saved his biggest play for last, hauling in a fourth-down pass from Schott on the final play of the scrimmage and taking it all the way for a 67-yard touchdown.

The defensive group was shorthanded, especially in the secondary, because of injuries, but still managed a few plays of its own.

The defense forced a pair of fumbles, including one on a big hit from linebacker Brandon Martin. Cornerback Gerald Smith picked off a pass on Schott's first series. And the front seven stepped up to squash a fourth-and-goal play to keep Huntley out of the end zone.

Ball State will conclude its spring practice schedule with 3:30 p.m. sessions Tuesday and Thursday at Scheumann Stadium.

The Cardinals will open the 2019 season Aug. 31 against Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Cardinals will also play six times in Muncie this fall.

Cardinals Feature Aerial Attack in Annual Spring Game

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Players Mentioned

Antwan Davis

Justin Hall

Trevor Hohlt

Caleb Huntley

Will Jones

Hassan Littles

Brandon Martin

Riley Miller

John Paddock

Drew Plitt

Eddie Schott

Gerald Smith

Yo'Heinz Tyler