catdaddyp Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 (edited) 2024 Rewind: Ball State parted ways with Mike Neu before the season officially wrapped, ending his ninth year at the helm with a 3-9 record. In his place, former Butler head coach Mike Uremovich takes over and is tasked with breathing new life into a program that’s been stuck in neutral. Recruiting under Uremovich: 2025: On3 - 9th in MAC 247 - 10th in MAC Cardinals on Offense: After what felt like years of the Ball State fanbase clamoring to see more of Kiael Kelly, they'll finally get their wish. Uremovich favors mobile quarterbacks and isn’t shy about dialing up designed runs for them. Kelly may not be among the MAC’s most accurate passers, but there’s no denying his ability to make things happen with his legs. Kennesaw State transfer Qua Ashley has already proven himself as an all-conference kick returner and now gets the chance to carve out a role as an every-down back. If Ashley can’t lock down the job, redshirt sophomore TJ Horton is the likely next man up. The offense will look entirely different from last year’s version that leaned heavily on tight end Tanner Koziol in the passing game. That might not be a bad thing, considering Ball State returns very little proven production at receiver or tight end. Bucknell transfer Eric Weatherly is one to keep an eye on as a potential breakout candidate. The offensive line is a concern with just one starter returning in offensive tackle Chris Hood. Butler transfer Adam Dolan is expected to start on the opposite side. If fully healthy, Tristan Cook should slot in somewhere, but he missed all of 2024 with a medical redshirt. Beyond those three, it’s anyone’s guess who rounds out the rest of the depth chart. Cardinals on Defense: Somewhat similar to the Zips, Ball State will be rolling out an almost entirely new defensive line loaded with five transfer players. Bryant transfer Nathan Voorhis should lock down one end spot, while returning starter Drew Hughes reprises his role in the interior. From there, the Cardinals will mix and match to find their best combinations across the remaining spots. Ball State lost its top tacklers, but do return linebacker Joey Stemler who collected 56 total tackles last season. Backup Jack Beebe will have the first crack at claiming a starting spot. The secondary returns just one starter in Willizhaun Yates. Four transfers are expected to step into starting roles—Old Dominion’s Ashton Whitner, Bucknell’s Roman Pearson, Coastal Carolina’s Deondre Shepherd, and Western Michigan’s Michael Gravely. Carson Holmer and Cole Stumbaugh are expected to take over kicking and punting duties, respectively. Position Advantage: QB - Akron RB - Akron WR - Akron TE - Akron OL - Even DL - Even LB - Ball State DB - Akron ST - Even Way too Early Prediction: Like I mentioned in the last preview, Akron has had a tough time containing mobile quarterbacks. That said, Kiael Kelly isn’t quite in the same category as some of the other dual-threat guys we’ve faced—like Dequan Finn or Parker Navarro. He also won’t have the same kind of supporting cast those two had the last time we saw them. With so many question marks across the board on offense, it’s hard to imagine Uremovich’s scheme will be firing on all cylinders in year one. Ball State will also be rolling out a ton of new faces on defense, and there’s a chance we see a new scheme on that side of the ball as well. Depth could be a real concern in 2025, especially as the season wears on. Despite this game being on the road at Ball State, it feels like one Akron should win. Moorhead has now had four recruiting cycles to elevate the talent level in Akron, and this should be the best offense we’ve seen under his watch—with the most overall talent across multiple positions. Against a rebuilding program in year one, the Zips ought to have the upper hand. I think Akron takes care of business and walks away with another conference win, 27–17. Game Day Notes: Ball State has been opportunistic on offense this season, but the passing game has been a clear weakness, averaging only 124 yards per contest. Quarterback Kiael Kelly leads the team in both passing and rushing attempts. He’s thrown for 725 yards with 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, while also carrying the ball 95 times for 273 yards and 2 scores. Transfer running back Qua Ashley, however, has been the most productive on the ground, tallying 333 yards and 3 touchdowns. Passes have been spread around to a number of different players, though receivers Magwood, Weatherly, and Hamilton have seen the bulk of the targets. Ashley has also been a reliable option out of the backfield. The offensive line has been one of the weakest units in the MAC so far, allowing 20 sacks and frequently struggling to open up running lanes. Statistically, the two defenses are fairly similar in terms of points and yards allowed. The biggest difference is that most of Ball State’s sack production has come from one player — UConn transfer Nathan Voorhis. Voorhis has already recorded 8 sacks and even led the nation in that category earlier this season. From my perspective, if Akron can control field position and limit costly mistakes, the Zips should come away with another conference win. Ball State has struggled to generate explosive plays and the odds of their offense sustaining long drives are slim. It’s a matchup where Akron’s defense should be able to control the line of scrimmage, but the offense will need to do its part and put enough points on the board. Edited October 18 by catdaddyp 1 1 Quote
Blue & Gold Posted October 13 Report Posted October 13 Two weeks ago Balls beat OU 20-14 and then last week lost to WMU 42-0 🧐🤨 Quote
Ham Posted October 16 Report Posted October 16 On 10/13/2025 at 8:59 AM, Blue & Gold said: Two weeks ago Balls beat OU 20-14 and then last week lost to WMU 42-0 🧐🤨 This shows that anything can happen in the MAC. Pre snap penalties must be eliminated. I will say the call last week on our DT was poor. By rule motion by the DT that causes the O to react is OK; however just pointing out that motion is not the type of reaction the rule intended. The other 5 calls were on us. Finley must hit at least 65%. Drops happen; just like catches on balls thrown well behind receivers. This game is winnable. I'm always hopeful. Zips win. exit322, why don't you just take the off ramp to relieve your suffering? 2 Quote
kreed5120 Posted October 16 Report Posted October 16 1 hour ago, Ham said: exit322, why don't you just take the off ramp to relieve your suffering? This is solid advice. I pretty much gave up following Akron and college football 6-7 years ago and my Saturdays are now much more enjoyable. 1 Quote
exit322 Posted October 16 Report Posted October 16 1 hour ago, kreed5120 said: This is solid advice. I pretty much gave up following Akron and college football 6-7 years ago and my Saturdays are now much more enjoyable. Why would I give up? Clearly everything is going great around InfoCision. Quote
kreed5120 Posted October 16 Report Posted October 16 (edited) 41 minutes ago, exit322 said: Why would I give up? Clearly everything is going great around InfoCision. My distaste extends long beyond Akron. College football just isn't entertaining. So many lopsided games. The saving grace before was the regular season was like a 12 week playoff before so every game in the regular season mattered. With the expanded playoffs each regular season game matters less. Let's use OSU as an example. 10 years ago if OSU got upset by Rutgers that would mean OSU season would be on life support. Now it might just mean the difference between having a first round bye or hosting a 1st round campus game. Edited October 16 by kreed5120 Quote
ZippyDoo Posted October 16 Report Posted October 16 I ain't gonna lie, it would be exciting to see the Zips compete for the MAC. I know it's not the college playoffs or the AP top 25, but just to be relevant would be exciting. I know someone is going to say it's never going to happen, or it's never going to happen with this coach, I get the frustration. I'm just saying just to be relevant in the MAC would be exciting for me. I'm not asking for much. This year, Wyoming sucked, UAB was winnable, Central sucked, Miami didn't suck but was winnable. Zips should have split those four games at the very least. Looking back at this schedule it is like the captain of the cheerleading squad saying hi to you everyday and you actually thinking you had a chance to go out with her, until you actually ask her and she busts out in laughter..... You just shake your head and wonder what the heck was I thinking? 2 Quote
MangoZip Posted October 16 Report Posted October 16 Agree, all of last year we talked about how the schedule had set us up to fail and that this year this schedule was set up for success - which it was. It’s the story of Joe’s tenure, so many winnable games that we just couldn’t close on. So far this year it’s Wyoming and UAB. Win those are we are sitting at 4-3 with several winnable MAC games in the next month and a very possible bowl bid (if eligible) coming. But here we are again, another year of “what if’s”. Let’s get a win over Testicle Tech this week and see if it builds any momentum. Quote
exit322 Posted October 17 Report Posted October 17 6 hours ago, ZippyDoo said: I know it's not the college playoffs With how the CFP is now, I'd really like to see a G5 playoffs. I mean, Akron isn't getting within screaming distance unless they go 68 teams like March Madness. But it'd be more fun than the Who Gives a Crap Bowl 1 Quote
clarkwgriswold Posted October 17 Report Posted October 17 Here's a preview from the Muncie Star Press- https://sports.yahoo.com/article/scouting-report-score-prediction-ball-080453671.html Quote
catdaddyp Posted October 18 Author Report Posted October 18 Game Day Notes: Ball State has been opportunistic on offense this season, but the passing game has been a clear weakness, averaging only 124 yards per contest. Quarterback Kiael Kelly leads the team in both passing and rushing attempts. He’s thrown for 725 yards with 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, while also carrying the ball 95 times for 273 yards and 2 scores. Transfer running back Qua Ashley, however, has been the most productive on the ground, tallying 333 yards and 3 touchdowns. Passes have been spread around to a number of different players, though receivers Magwood, Weatherly, and Hamilton have seen the bulk of the targets. Ashley has also been a reliable option out of the backfield. The offensive line has been one of the weakest units in the MAC so far, allowing 20 sacks and frequently struggling to open up running lanes. Statistically, the two defenses are fairly similar in terms of points and yards allowed. The biggest difference is that most of Ball State’s sack production has come from one player — UConn transfer Nathan Voorhis. Voorhis has already recorded 8 sacks and even led the nation in that category earlier this season. From my perspective, if Akron can control field position and limit costly mistakes, the Zips should come away with another conference win. Ball State has struggled to generate explosive plays and the odds of their offense sustaining long drives are slim. It’s a matchup where Akron’s defense should be able to control the line of scrimmage, but the offense will need to do its part and put enough points on the board. 2 Quote
GP1 Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 (edited) I think Akron steals a rare road win today. At some point having an experienced QB who should be in the second year of his first real job after college has to pay off. A four quarter score to take the lead and then a tough fourth quarter defense wins the game. Akron 27 BSU 24 Edited October 18 by GP1 1 Quote
UAZipster0305 Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 (edited) I'll take the visitors by a score of 31-28. When was the last time we won a road game that wasn't at Cant or UMess? Edited October 18 by UAZipster0305 1 Quote
Captain Kangaroo Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 Can the Zips give me a reason to give my wife a freaking high five at some point during the game. That's all I ask. Zips games have been like a Nick Saban VRBO commercial for years... I can envision President Nemer looking at the Zips player: "As your President I have some rules. No post game showers longer than 2 minutes, we have a budget...the locker room isn't a spa." "The digits underneath "Akron" on the scoreboard...don't use them. We cut the scoreboard operator from the budget and can't change them from 0" "To the fans...no high fives, no fun...the kids aren't allowed on the endzone grass." "There's a great loge and food spread upstairs...don't touch that." "To anyone that wants Zips gear - the team shop opens at 3pm." Fans: "But it's 2:45 and I want to buy some hoodies". Nemer: "I know." 1 6 Quote
Zips1991 Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 Zips are favored by 1.5 on Draft Kings. Seems like a trap to me, I'm not taking it. Can't imagine us winning a conference road game that isn't against Kent. Quote
ZippyDoo Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 you heard here first... Zips aren't losing a game rest of the season... Zips pull it out today, start playing some freshmen blood next week and finish the season 5-0! Central Michigan smoked Bowling green and Umass is giving Buffalo everything they can handle. Of course i am thinking positive and not saying, Umass is giving Buffalo everything they can handle, Kent State is tied with Toledo in the second... and JoeMo may not play any freshmen and we never get any pressure on the qb the rest of the season and have no clue what any of the freshmen can do on defense... But I am staying positive, Zips win today and the next four after !!! 1 Quote
zipsrule Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 What a great start. The defense with a huge 4th down stop and then the offense moves right down the field for the TD. Throw in a 2 point conversion! 1 Quote
ZippyDoo Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 Max saved MJ on that one. I like the aggressiveness going for two, but that pass was not very good. Quote
ZippyDoo Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 (edited) UMASS is winning 14-3 3:43 left in the second qrtr over Buffalo. The tide of the season could be turning Edited October 18 by ZippyDoo Quote
exit322 Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 Offense had a good start. Now do it again because Ball State is going to score plenty. Quote
ZippyDoo Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 ok i am a freaking moron. Our line is getting shredded and looks like they never played football before. what the hell. the announcers are comparing this guy to lamar jackson. how bout comparing the line to the keystone cops? jumping up in the air and flopping all over the ground like they never saw a running qb before. my gosh Quote
ewbrooman1 Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 So much for the good start thanks to the gift from Ball State. Look out now. 😉 Quote
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