| 2008 overall record: 12-2 2008 conference record: 8-0  Returning starters Offense: 4, defense: 7, punter/kicker: 0 Top returners HB MiQuale Lewis, WR Briggs Orbson, LE Brandon Crawford, SS Sean Baker,LT Drew Duffin, FS Alex Knipp Key losses QB Nate Davis, OT Robert Brewster, C Dan Gerberry, TE Darius Hill, LB Bryant Haines, CB B.J. Hill, LB Kenny Meeks 2008 statistical leaders (* returners) Rushing: MiQuale Lewis* (1,736 yards)
Passing: Nate Davis (3,591 yards)
Receiving: Briggs Orbson* (813 yards)
Tackles: Alex Knipp* (96)
Sacks: Kenny Meeks (6.0)
Interceptions: Sean Baker* (6) Spring answers | 2009 Schedule | | Sept. 3 North Texas (Thur.)
Sept. 12 New Hampshire
Sept. 19 at Army
Sept. 26 at Auburn
Oct. 3 Toledo
Oct. 10 at Temple
Oct. 17 Bowling Green
Oct. 24 at Eastern Michigan
Oct. 31 OHIO
Nov. 12 at Northern Illinois (Thur.)
Nov. 18 Central Michigan (Wed.)
Nov. 24 at Western Michigan (Tue.) | | | 1. Running game is solid: MiQuale Lewis made believers out of everyone last season with a breakout campaign. It was his first full year of healthy football and he was key in Ball State's offense. He was held out of a lot of Ball State's scrimmages and contact drills this spring to preserve that health. 2. Secondary looks strong: Ball State had a decent pass defense last season, but it stands to be better with the return of Sean Baker, who led the team in interceptions, and Alex Knipp, who led the team in tackles. However, the secondary will need a little more help for its front seven to really put up big numbers. 3. Robert Eddins makes his move: One of the most talked about Cardinals this spring was defensive end Robert Eddins, who coaches believe could be an all-conference performer this season. Eddins had 45 tackles a year ago, but the Ball State offense had a tough time containing him this spring. Fall questions 1. Searching for a quarterback: With superstar Nate Davis gone to the NFL, the Cardinals are looking to redshirt freshman Kelly Page, who played with the scout team last year, to lead the offense. Coach Stan Parrish has been talking him up all spring, but he'll be inexperienced when the team opens the season against North Texas. 2. Changing the defense: The Cardinals 3-4 defensive system departed with coach Brady Hoke, so new defensive coordinator Doug Graber spent the spring installing a 4-3 scheme. The players haven't taken to it quite as quickly as Ball State would have hoped and will have a ways to go this fall to perfect it. 3. Steadying the offensive line: The offensive line was hit the hardest by departures this spring, which is not good news for Page or Lewis. The line returns just one returning full-time starter, left guard Michael Switzer, and the growing pains were apparent as the Cardinals' defense blew by the offensive line and often sent Page scrambling for help in the spring game. | 
Watson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Missouri Tigers and the Big 12 Conference for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She also covered college football recruiting for the Dallas Morning News.
