Game 2 Preview: Grad Transfers Already Making Impact as Cards Ready for Home Opener

Game 2
Ball State (0-1, 0-1 MAC) vs. Eastern Michigan (0-1, 0-1 MAC)
Wednesday, Nov. 11 (7:02 p.m. kickoff)
Muncie, Ind. (Gainbridge Field at Scheumann Stadium)
Watch: CBS Sports Network | Listen: 104.1 WLBC | Live Stats
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Game Notes: Ball State | Eastern Michigan | Game Week Press Conference

Per Mid-American Conference COVID-19 regulations, no general public attendance or tailgating will be permitted this season. Attendance is permitted only for limited guests of players, coaches and band and spirit team members, up to 500 students, and suite holders in a limited capacity.

Ball State's already veteran defense gained even more experience in the offseason with the addition of three all-conference graduate transfers.

It did not take long for them to make an impact.

Chris Agyemang started at defensive end in the opener at Miami, while J.T. Wahee made five tackles, one for loss, and added a pass breakup from his safety position. The biggest splash came from outside linebacker Anthony Ekpe who made his Ball State debut with two sacks, three total tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

That trio will look to make more noise this week when the Cardinals open the home portion of their schedule against Eastern Michigan.

These guys have both experience and talent. Agyemang was a two-time All-NEC First Team selection at Sacred Heart, and he was accomplished enough to earn a spot on Phil Steele's Preseason All-MAC Third Team without having played a down in the league. Wahee was a two-time All-MEAC choice at Norfolk State, and Ekpe was an honorable mention All-Conference USA selection at Rice.

On a Ball State defense that returned players with heavy starting experience at every linebacker and secondary position, the three of them have not had any trouble fitting in.

"Having this opportunity, it's something that's not given to everybody," Ekpe said. "Being a grad transfer, being an older guy, you have to be able to play your part, play your role … It's a new environment, and I knew I had a lot to prove. I knew this team is capable of doing big things. That alone motivated me to go out and compete, knowing we have each other's back."

Ball State found success in the graduate transfer pool in 2019 with running back Walter Fletcher, who totaled more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns last year, and Isaac James-Gray, who sustained a season-ending injury in the 2019 season opener against Indiana and has made a position change to receiver this year.

When bringing in veteran players to an established team, BSU defensive coordinator Tyler Stockton said it is as much about character as it is talent and experience.

"You want to bring in guys who are the right fit for our locker room," Stockton said. "You want to bring a guy in who really cares about what we're doing here at Ball State. With Chris, Anthony and J.T., they're exactly what we were looking for from a character standpoint, and then from a football standpoint, we know how they play and we know they can help us out."

Stockton said the graduate transfers have ingrained themselves with their new team and quickly become leaders. What they bring in terms of measurables on the field was easy for the staff to see from the beginning.

"The biggest thing that excites us about Chris is the athleticism and size that he can add to that defensive line room; he really fills a big hole for us up front," Stockton said. "Anthony's position flexibility is the best thing about him. He can play any position in our linebacker system, and his physical gifts are unbelievable. And then J.T., he has a lot of flexibility, too. He can line up anywhere in the back end, he can line up as a nickel, so he can do a lot of things for us."

The defensive side of the ball is where last year's win at Eastern Michigan was decided. Ball State intercepted then-EMU quarterback Mike Glass three times, sacked him twice, and sealed the victory with Jordan Williams' strip-sack in the red zone in the closing seconds.

This year, the Cardinals and Eagles are both looking to bounce back from season-opening losses by a single possession. EMU dropped a 27-23 decision at Kent State, and Ball State fell 38-31 in the final minute at Miami. But everything still lies ahead for both teams with the beginning of MAC West Division play Wednesday.

Game 2 Preview: Grad Transfers Already Making Impact as Cards Ready for Home Opener

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Players Mentioned

Chris Agyemang

Anthony Ekpe

Walter Fletcher

Isaac James-Gray

J.T. Wahee

Jordan Williams