Ball State can present problems for Temple

How good is Ball State?

The Cardinals' three victories came against teams with a combined 4-11 record.

Ball State was outscored, 99-13, in losses to South Florida and No. 3 Oklahoma.

So, again, how good is Ball State?

"We are playing a good Ball State team," said Temple coach Steve Addazio, whose Owls (3-2, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) face the Cardinals (3-2, 1-0) in a MAC game Saturday in Muncie, Ind.

"They've beaten a Big Ten team [Indiana] . . . and they've got talent."

The Cardinals' signature win is against an Indiana team that is 1-4 and whose lone victory came against Football Championship Subdivision opponent South Carolina State.

And the Hoosiers aren't exactly competitive in the Big Ten. Indiana is 19-70 against conference foes since the start of the 2000 season.

As a result, folks in the state of Indiana probably weren't shocked when Ball State defeated Indiana, 27-20, in Indianapolis on Sept. 3.

The impressive thing is that the Cardinals are tied for first nationally in red-zone offense. Ball State is 19 for 19 converting scoring opportunities inside its opponent's 20-yard line.

Sophomore quarterback Keith Wenning is Ball State's offensive leader. The 6-foot-4, 221-pounder has completed 107 of 161 passes for 955 yards and seven touchdowns, with three interceptions.

All three of his interceptions went to Oklahoma defensive back Tony Jefferson on consecutive second-quarter drives in last week's 62-6 defeat by the Sooners.

Before that, Wenning had a string of 185 consecutive pass attempts without an interception dating from last season.

Cardinals defensive tackle Nathan Ollie (6-1, 290) and nose guard Adam Morris (6-0, 281) could present a problem for Temple's running game. Ollie has 14 tackles - six for a loss - and a team-leading four sacks. Morris has 19 stops - two for a loss - and a sack.

Middle linebacker Travis Freeman (45 tackles) ranks third in the conference in tackles, while safety Josh Howard (26 tackles, interception, fumble recovery) is regarded as the Cardinals' best defender.

"Josh Howard, you'll notice him," Addazio said. "He's a real player. He comes out of the safety position, and he will strike you."