Ball State University Athletics
MAC Media Day: Clayton Coll and Brady Hunt Ready to Attack Upcoming Season
July 20, 2023 | Football
DETROIT -- The Mid-American Conference conducted its annual football media day on Thursday at the historic Fox Theatre in Detroit, setting the stage for the league's 77th football season. The MAC Championship game will be conducted just blocks from here, at Ford Field, in December.
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Ball State is hoping for a return to Ford Field on December 2, where it captured the 2020 crown in a 38-28 win over Buffalo.
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Picked third in the West Division prior that championship run of 2020, the Cardinals were selected fifth in a media day poll of coaches released prior to Thursday's festivities.
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"If we were picked first, it would not change any of my preparation or hard work or my routine each day," said all-conference linebacker Clayton Coll, "so why would being picked fifth change anything about what I do? Honestly, it doesn't mean a whole lot. The MAC will continue to be closely contested. It's too close and too crazy, there are a lot of things that can happen."
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Ever the team leader and spokesman while attending media day activities for the second straight year, Coll continued, "I learned from my dad a long time ago to 'control the controllables.' If you control the things you can, good things will happen. You can't let it affect your mindset."
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Joining Coll and head coach Mike Neu at the league's kickoff event to the 2023 season was sophomore tight end Brady Hunt – last year a first-team All-MAC selection and a Freshman All-American.
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"The only people that can affect whether we finish first or finish last, are our guys in the locker room," said Hunt. "The MAC Championship remains our goal, no matter where we are picked."
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Within the confines of the architecturally magnificent theatre, Neu, Coll and Hunt engaged in media interviews with coaches and players from all 12 MAC schools.
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Added Coll: "I've really enjoyed being at this venue. It's not often you get to enjoy a place with such historic value, and such brilliant architecture, without really going on a big trip someplace. This has been nice. I think it's great for the MAC to give us the opportunity to come here."
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After opening training camp in two weeks on August 1, Ball State battles Kentucky (Sept. 2) and Georgia (Sept. 9) before hosting Indiana State (Sept. 16) and Georgia Southern (Sept. 23) in non-league action. The Cards host Western Michigan on Sept. 30 to open an eight-week run through the annual MAC gauntlet.
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Toledo was tabbed to capture the West title in the MAC, while Ohio was picked to win the East. Following the Rockets in the West were Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, the Cardinals and Western Michigan. Following the Bobcats in the East were Miami, Buffalo, Bowling Green, Akron and Kent State.
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Ball State is hoping for a return to Ford Field on December 2, where it captured the 2020 crown in a 38-28 win over Buffalo.
Â
Picked third in the West Division prior that championship run of 2020, the Cardinals were selected fifth in a media day poll of coaches released prior to Thursday's festivities.
Â
"If we were picked first, it would not change any of my preparation or hard work or my routine each day," said all-conference linebacker Clayton Coll, "so why would being picked fifth change anything about what I do? Honestly, it doesn't mean a whole lot. The MAC will continue to be closely contested. It's too close and too crazy, there are a lot of things that can happen."
Â
Ever the team leader and spokesman while attending media day activities for the second straight year, Coll continued, "I learned from my dad a long time ago to 'control the controllables.' If you control the things you can, good things will happen. You can't let it affect your mindset."
Â
Joining Coll and head coach Mike Neu at the league's kickoff event to the 2023 season was sophomore tight end Brady Hunt – last year a first-team All-MAC selection and a Freshman All-American.
Â
"The only people that can affect whether we finish first or finish last, are our guys in the locker room," said Hunt. "The MAC Championship remains our goal, no matter where we are picked."
Â
Within the confines of the architecturally magnificent theatre, Neu, Coll and Hunt engaged in media interviews with coaches and players from all 12 MAC schools.
Â
Added Coll: "I've really enjoyed being at this venue. It's not often you get to enjoy a place with such historic value, and such brilliant architecture, without really going on a big trip someplace. This has been nice. I think it's great for the MAC to give us the opportunity to come here."
Â
After opening training camp in two weeks on August 1, Ball State battles Kentucky (Sept. 2) and Georgia (Sept. 9) before hosting Indiana State (Sept. 16) and Georgia Southern (Sept. 23) in non-league action. The Cards host Western Michigan on Sept. 30 to open an eight-week run through the annual MAC gauntlet.
Â
Toledo was tabbed to capture the West title in the MAC, while Ohio was picked to win the East. Following the Rockets in the West were Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, the Cardinals and Western Michigan. Following the Bobcats in the East were Miami, Buffalo, Bowling Green, Akron and Kent State.
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