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Joining us today on the blog is Ben Breiner, who covers Ball State for The Star Press in Muncie, Ind. The paper is the go-to place to catch up on what is going on with the Cardinals. You can find his work that appears in the paper on its website here. You can also follow him on Twitter Brian provided us a couple of real good news tidbits in this Q&A that he also covered in the paper, including the fact that star running back Jahwan Edwards remains questionable for Saturday’s game after missing the Cardinals win over Army, a story he covered in the paper. Do you think the heat affects Ball State? It’s supposed to be about 95. I can’t see how that doesn’t have some effect, especially since the temperature was only 82 at kickoff last week with what I assume will be comparable humidity. Cardinals coach Pete Lembo sounded a bit concerned about that aspect during his weekly press conference. It will certainly force Ball State to use their depth on defense. That’s an area the staff has focused on since it arrived, and while that depth is one the younger side, it’s certainly there more than in past seasons. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/09/qa-with-ball-state-beat-writer-ben-breiner.html/

North Texas will need to capitalize on the Ball State run defense, which gives up 218.5 yards a game, if it hopes to win the game. These two teams will meet for the first time since 2009, when North Texas beat Ball State, 20-10. MiQuale Lewis had 15 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown plus three catches for 12 yards for the Cardinals. North Texas is 1-0 against Ball State since 2009. read more: http://mcfb.meangreenball.com/posts/north-texas-1-1-goes-up-against-ball-state-2-0

It was just another opportunity. As sophomore wide receiver Jordan Williams jumped up to make the contested 30-yard catch in practice, one thing was on his mind: capitalize. “I wanted that one,” Williams said. “You only get so many opportunities, so when the ball is in the air, you’ve got to go get it. You don’t want to give a defensive back a chance at stopping the play.” He was unable to reel in the high-flying pass, but the 6-foot-2 receiver said he’ll get the next one. Improving in practice is Williams’ main focus, and he has plenty of time on the field to do so. Though he only runs with the first team for a handful of formations, he lines up for almost every snap with the second team. “It’s good because I get more reps,” Williams said. “More chances to get better. I just try to take advantage of it.” Junior receiver Willie Snead matured in a similar fashion last season. He forfeited first-team repetitions in practice to then-junior Jack Tomlinson. Tomlinson has since parted ways with the team, while Snead has become a mainstay for the offense. He leads Ball State with 14 receptions and 228 yards through two games this year. “It brings you along,” Snead said of practicing with the first and second teams. “It just gives you the reps you need, and I know Jordan has been benefiting from those reps.” Williams played in eight games last season, but failed to register a single reception. Due to extra reps or not, his 10 catches in 2013 are a huge improvement, and second on the team only to Snead. His 141 yards and one touchdown show that he’s been a big target. Senior quarterback Keith Wenning said Williams’ size makes throwing windows easier to hit. Receivers KeVonn Mabon, Connor Ryan, Snead and Jamill Smith are listed at 6-foot-3, 6-foot-1, 5-foot-11 and 5-foot-8. Williams, at 216 pounds, outweighs all four receivers with at least one catch this season. “He brings a new element to the receivers,” Wenning said. “When you have somebody with his size on the outside, and you can bring Willie and Jamill into the slot, plus Connor and KeVonn. ... You’ve got too many guys to cover, so it makes it that much more difficult for defenses.” Wenning has had plenty of places to throw the football this season. He’s completed 47 passes for 665 yards and two touchdowns, leading Ball State to its first 2-0 start since 2008. The team’s 91 points after two games are the most in school history. “I think we’ve got one of the best corps in the country,” Williams said. “We work in the summer, and stay out here running routes. There’s people I can talk to — quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs — our team is like a big family.” Read more: http://www.bsudailynews.com/Content/Default/Homepage-Rotator/Article/FOOTBALL_-Williams-stays-patient-while-growing-at-Ball-State/-3/8/40372

“We are not deserting Zac Whifield, but he has to make plays,” McCarney said. “I have seen him make that play in practice and scrimmages, but you have to carry it over to game day. We are all measured by what we do on Saturdays. He has to carry it over to the game field.” UNT also gave up a long pass play in its season-opening win over Idaho, a 59-yard strike from Chad Chalich to Michael LaGrone on the second play from scrimmage. The Mean Green has allowed six pass plays of 20 yards or more in the first two games of the year, an issue UNT will try to address before facing Ball State and Keith Wenning this week. Wenning ranks 10th nationally with 665 passing yards through two games and has five touchdowns with no interceptions. “We come into the game focused and ready to play,” UNT cornerback Hilbert Jackson said. “We need to hold it throughout the game.” Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20130909-football-big-plays-lead-to-lineup-change-in-secondary.ece

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