Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Maeve Bradfield/Ball State Athletics
Cardinals wrap up successful spring season
April 16, 2022 | Football
Ball State hosted an open practice to cap off its 2022 spring practices
MUNCIE, Ind. – Pads were popping, fans were cheering, and the Cardinals were making plays. Despite there not being an official spring game, Saturday's open practice at Scheumann Stadium provided plenty of highlights for the crowd as Ball State wrapped up its spring season.
"We had a good turnout today with friends and family on a nice day," head coach Mike Neu said. "I appreciate all of them showing up knowing that we weren't able to have any kind of a spring game."
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Neu, who was sporting a No. 63 Danny Pinter Colts jersey, had a lot to like as his team completed its final practice heading into the summer.
"I love the energy and the enthusiasm," he said. "Guys are encouraging and challenging their teammates. That's what spring is all about, to try and help some of these young guys get a chance to get some reps out here and show what they can do."
The Cardinals showcased talent all over the field with drills featuring 7-on-7, individual drills such as offensive line vs. defensive line and open field tackling, 2-minute drill and linemen and coaches catching punts.
Saturday's practice marked the end of a 14-practice period in which Ball State, which is coming off back-to-back bowl appearances for the third time in program history, continued to get better and get reps after having to replace over 30 seniors from last year's team.
With improvement coming from every area and position during the spring, one group stood out to Coach Neu.
"I'm proud of the entire defensive line as a unit with the energy, consistency and competition they brought day in and day out for 14 practices. I met with them in the offseason and challenged them a little bit. I'm just proud of them from top to bottom. It's one of the groups on our team that's got quite a bit of game experience and we have good depth in that unit."
The Cardinals open the 2022 season Thursday, Sept. 1 at Tennessee with a 7 p.m. ET kickoff on the SEC Network. Ball State's home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 10 vs. Western Michigan in a key Mid-American Conference clash.
ÂGallery: (4-16-2022) Football Spring Practice
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"We had a good turnout today with friends and family on a nice day," head coach Mike Neu said. "I appreciate all of them showing up knowing that we weren't able to have any kind of a spring game."
Â
Neu, who was sporting a No. 63 Danny Pinter Colts jersey, had a lot to like as his team completed its final practice heading into the summer.
"I love the energy and the enthusiasm," he said. "Guys are encouraging and challenging their teammates. That's what spring is all about, to try and help some of these young guys get a chance to get some reps out here and show what they can do."
The Cardinals showcased talent all over the field with drills featuring 7-on-7, individual drills such as offensive line vs. defensive line and open field tackling, 2-minute drill and linemen and coaches catching punts.
Saturday's practice marked the end of a 14-practice period in which Ball State, which is coming off back-to-back bowl appearances for the third time in program history, continued to get better and get reps after having to replace over 30 seniors from last year's team.
With improvement coming from every area and position during the spring, one group stood out to Coach Neu.
"I'm proud of the entire defensive line as a unit with the energy, consistency and competition they brought day in and day out for 14 practices. I met with them in the offseason and challenged them a little bit. I'm just proud of them from top to bottom. It's one of the groups on our team that's got quite a bit of game experience and we have good depth in that unit."
The Cardinals open the 2022 season Thursday, Sept. 1 at Tennessee with a 7 p.m. ET kickoff on the SEC Network. Ball State's home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 10 vs. Western Michigan in a key Mid-American Conference clash.
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