Football travels to BSU
Chris McCarty
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday.
CMU is coming off from a 34-24 loss to Northern Illinois at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Chippewas were up 24-7 at halftime before NIU scored 26 straight points to pull out the victory.
“On Sunday it was rough. But it is a process that they are going through and they have comeback pretty well,” said CMU Head Coach Mike DeBord.
The Chippewas may have to go with out starting quarterback Derrick Vickers. Vickers is listed as questionable.
He has a bruised shin that is swelling and has been bugging him since the Marshall game.
Derek Gorney will take over the starting roll if Vickers is unable to start.
“The team has confidence in Gorney or Vickers. They both are similar, but they each have different types of throws,” DeBord said. “Gorney is mobile, he can get out of trouble if needed. Vickers may be a little quicker, but it doesn’t mean we have to change the offense.”
Ball State, is leading the MAC West with a 2-0 division record and a 2-1 record in the MAC and a overall record of 3-4.
“They caught Toledo at home at the right time after a week off. And the beat Eastern who has struggled. I see us as being very equal to them, we just have to find a way to win,” DeBord said.
BSU is led by tailback Marcus Merriweather, he is second in the MAC with 116.2 rushing yards a game. While quarterback Talmadge Hill has completed 95-of-185 passes. Hill has thrown for 999 yards in seven games (142.7 a game).
“Merriweather is a very good runner. And they quarterback has a great arm, he makes great decisions and big plays when he has to,” DeBord said.
On the injury front, safeties Bryan Keim and Finley Carter both should return from injuries. While the defense continues to be beat up as Dominic Mancini, Jon Nelson, Richard Kiel, Darvin Lewis, Ike Ajoku and Wayne Dudley are all out for the season.
“We have been hit with injuries like everyone else. You are either hit with minor or major injuries and I would say we have had a major hit this year,” DeBord said.
