Some Things Old, Some Things New as Ball State Opens Spring Practice

MUNCIE, Ind. -- In some ways, Tuesday's first spring practice for the defending MAC Champion Ball State football team felt like old hat. In other ways, it felt completely new.

On the one hand, there were familiar faces everywhere with 16 seniors from last year's nationally-ranked team returning to take advantage of extended eligibility offered by the NCAA in light of the COVID season. The group that took the field Tuesday looked remarkably like the one that played New Year's Eve in the Arizona Bowl.

On the other hand, this was the first spring practice session for the program in more than two calendar years. Spring ball in 2020 was wiped out at the beginning of the pandemic, so there was excitement about getting back out there this time around.

But the newest and perhaps most exciting part about Tuesday was the location. Ball State spent the majority of the afternoon in the Scheumann Family Indoor Practice Facility, letting the team get used to the eagerly-awaited new digs.

"It seems like it's been forever since we've been on the practice field," head coach Mike Neu said. "It's just exciting. On top of that to be in this, I don't know how else to describe it besides a state-of-the-art, professional facility … We're very fortunate to have it. It's amazing just looking around, and I know our guys are super appreciative."

Spring practice is beginning a little later this year for various reasons.

For one, coaches wanted to give this veteran team time to recover physically and mentally from a fast but jam-packed 2020 season. The Cardinals played eight games, including some of the most meaningful ones in program history, in a little less than two months. Layer on top of that the regular testing and adjustments to their everyday lives because of the pandemic, and it was an exhilarating but taxing season.

Another factor was the anticipated opening of the indoor facility that was scheduled for April. Delaying spring ball until now would provide opportunities to conduct full, normal practices even on days with inclement weather.

So there the Cardinals were on Tuesday for the first of 15 scheduled practice dates over the next three weeks, leading up to the May 1 Spring Game at Scheumann Stadium.

Most of this group has been there, done that. The Cardinals welcome back 20 starters from a year ago. That group is riddled with All-MAC players like quarterback Drew Plitt, receivers Justin Hall and Yo'Heinz Tyler and lineman Curtis Blackwell on offense. Guys like league defensive player of the year Brandon Martin along with Bryce Cosby, Anthony Ekpe, Christian Albright and Jaylin Thomas on the other side of the ball.

They led Ball State to an historic season last fall with its first MAC Championship since 1996 and its first-ever bowl victory in the Arizona Bowl. The Cardinals won their final seven games -- two over ranked opponents -- to finish 7-1 and end the year at No. 23 in both the AP and Amway Coaches polls.

But this crew is wise enough to know 2021 is a new year. They aren't resting on their laurels.

"It's awesome (to return so many veterans), and what makes it even better is every one of those guys knows we have so much room for improvement," Neu said. "You have to come out here and focus on the details and the little things. I don't worry about this group being able to get that done."

Some Things Old, Some Things New as Ball State Opens Spring Practice

Players Mentioned

Christian Albright

Curtis Blackwell

Bryce Cosby

Anthony Ekpe

Justin Hall

Brandon Martin

Drew Plitt

Jaylin Thomas

Yo'Heinz Tyler

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