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Indiana Football vs Ball State: 5 impact players to watch

By Jonathan Rothschild

BLOOMINGTON, IN - SEPTEMBER 15: Stevie Scott #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers stretches for a touchdown as Mitch Larsen #29 of the Ball State Cardinals tries to make the stop at Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - SEPTEMBER 15: Stevie Scott #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers stretches for a touchdown as Mitch Larsen #29 of the Ball State Cardinals tries to make the stop at Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – SEPTEMBER 15: Stevie Scott #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers stretches for a touchdown as Mitch Larsen #29 of the Ball State Cardinals tries to make the stop at Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – SEPTEMBER 15: Stevie Scott #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers stretches for a touchdown as Mitch Larsen #29 of the Ball State Cardinals tries to make the stop at Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

The Indiana football opener is a neutral site matchup against Ball State. The game will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Today we will look at five players to watch who will potentially be the game’s biggest influencers.

Indiana football is back and so is some of the young talent in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers take the field on Saturday against a Ball State squad who was actually able to take down IU the last time these two teams met at Lucas Oil Stadium, in 2011.

Both teams are obviously entirely different and bring in a lot of excitement and buzz heading into the season.

For the Hoosiers it’s about Michael Penix earning the starting spot under center, and how the new duo of coordinators will look in their first live game action. Also, how will the depth be for an Indiana team that has been so close to multiple upsets over the past couple of seasons, but never able to break through.

Ball State has a different look under center as well with Drew Plitt and a coach in Mike Neu who holds just a 10-26 record.

While we will start off with some names in our honorable mention category, the additional five players we break down are the impact players of the game for each side in order to come out with a win.

Honorable Mention: 

Riley Miller (Ball State, WR) – A former walk-on, Miller ranked third in the MAC in receptions per game (5.1) and fourth in receiving yards per game (73.2) in 2018. He was a 2018 All-Mid-American Conference Second Team selection.

Christian Albright (Ball State, LB) – Led Ball State in sacks (5.5) and forced fumbles (4). Albright was a 2018 All-Mid-American Conference Third Team selection.

Ray Wilborn (Ball State, LB) – Led the Cardinals in tackles (83) and tackles for loss (10.5), tied for the team lead with interceptions (2), and second in sacks (3.0).

Bryce Cosby (Ball State, S) – Tied for the team lead in tackles (83) and interceptions (2). Has a career high of 17 tackles (Western Michigan).

Andre Brown (Indiana, CB) – Brown has 29 starts and 32 career appearances but has been inconsistent at times. He has 11 pass breakups in his career, including a team-high six in 2018.

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