Kiael Kelly performs at Ball State football's first event in front of fans since performing several cartwheels at midfield at Schuman Stadium shortly after the Cardinals' spring game began on Nov. 25, 2023. I set the mood. The rising redshirt junior quarterback said he has been itching to play in front of a crowd since the final buzzer rang against Miami (Ohio) in November.
“Everybody plays better when they're loose,” Kelly said. “I’m just trying to provide as enjoyable an environment here as possible.”
The event was for family and friends as well as the players and coaches, and after the final 11-on-11 game, attendees poured onto the lawn to greet their chosen players and coaches. After rising senior Keiontae Newson left the circle of supporters, he talked about how excited he was to be able to complete a seven-week cycle of workouts and practices.
“It feels like we've been working in the dark and in silence for so long, but today we're in the sunshine,” Newson said. “The fans just give you extra energy and make you want to do a little bit more.”
new style defense
The linebacker is one of a handful of starters returning to the Cardinal for the 2023 season, and he evolved over the course of last season from an aspiring leader to the top of Ball State's defense. Although Newson now holds the position of undisputed captain of the defense, he said he is still learning how to embrace his role and execute it the right way.
“I'm just letting them know I can do it,” Newson said.
When it comes to on-field ability, Newson said his biggest areas of improvement are his mobility and athleticism, and he wants to be able to give 100 percent in each game. He acknowledged that he finished the 2023 season on a strong note, but one thing Newson has never lacked is energy.
This isn't about what he has to strive to bring to the Cardinals, it's just who he is.
“I wake up at 6 a.m. and always drink juice,” Newson said. “I just try to be myself.”
Junior linebacker Keontae Newson scores a touchdown in a game against Indiana State on Sept. 16 at Schuman Stadium. Newson recorded eight total tackles in the game. Maia Catalin, DN
Newson said communication will occur through this new-look defense through the safeties, who are new starters for Ball State. The linebacker said he sometimes struggled with communication during early practices, especially with pre-snap and post-snap adjustments.
“It was tough at times,” Newson said.
Neu cited his experience as defensive coordinator for 2018 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Champions Northern Illinois, saying new defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles will bring a number of new additions to the Cardinal's defensive scheme. Despite introducing the flanks, he said he was able to get support from the Cardinal defense.
Unlike his “brother” relationship with former defensive coordinator Tyler Stockton, Newson said his relationship with Knowles is more like “father and son.” The biggest motto Knowles has preached to Newson throughout the early days of camp is, “The game is not as fast as Newson.”
Transport portal madness
On the other side of the ball, Jared Elliott took over primary play-calling duties from former co-offensive coordinator Kevin Lynch while retaining his role as tight ends coach. Rising junior tight end Tanner Koziol said Elliott's biggest addition as a primary play-caller is the energy he brings to every situation.
“He'll set you on fire, and when you do something wrong, he'll slap you back with a new one. But after that, he'll love you,” Koziol said. “He is the very definition of a hardcore football coach. I have never seen such a love for the game exude in people.”
For a while, it appeared that Koziol might not play in Ball State's spring game, as he entered the transfer portal shortly after the 2023 season. In fact, Koziol also committed to a brief stint with Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
But despite praising Louisville's coaching staff and recent success, Koziol said his family's proximity to Muncie and the sense of “home” that Ball State evokes prompted him to change his mind. .
“It's very close to speed dating,” Koziol said. “I love Coach Elliott and I love Coach Neu. My heart kept me here, so I think it was the right decision to stay here.”
Sophomore tight end Tanner Koziol prepares to warm up for the game against Kentucky on Sept. 2 at Kroger Field. Koziol competed for a total of 66 years. Maia Catalin, DN
Neu acknowledged that he came close to losing Koziol and former All-MAC offensive lineman Ethan Crowe, but he attributed that to the current nature of college athletics. While most of the Cardinals' key transfer portal losses have already happened, including former All-MAC running back Marquez Cooper and former All-MAC offensive lineman Corey Stewart, Neu said the upcoming transfer portal He said the window will open on April 15th.
“Of course, every night when you go to bed, you're going to be anxious, like, 'Will I look the same tomorrow?'” Noy said. “I just have to stay focused and tell my players, 'We have to be where we are.' That's all I can do on this field, and I love the guys I have on this team.”
The ninth-year head coach said the standout newcomers at spring training include up-and-coming graduate student defensive lineman Riley Tolsma (Hillsdale transfer), up-and-coming junior pass rusher Justin Thomas (U.D. transfer); and rising junior wide receiver Justin Borwick (Eastern Illinois). . Among the program's veterans Neu looks to step up are rising sophomore offensive lineman Taran Tio, rising graduate student offensive lineman John Mucciolo, and Crowe.
Quarterback competition… again?
Koziol's presence as a former All-MAC tight end and 6-foot-7 frame make him a convenient target for players under center. While Kelly seemed all set to return to the QB1 role he held for the final six games of the 2023 season, up-and-comers made up the bulk of Ball State's first-team representation for the spring game. It was redshirt freshman Kadin Semonza.
Quarterback competition is very familiar to the Cardinals program, with Kelly and Semonza facing off against graduate Rayne Hatcher in last year's preseason. All three were starters last season, but Kelly, a native of Tampa, Fla., had the most success, leading an offense that led to three of Ball State's four wins.
“Competition only strengthens both parties,” Koziol said. “Any player becomes QB1 because other people pushed him to be QB1.”
Kelly said he approaches and prepares every day as if he were a starter, the same mindset he had last season before earning the QB1 role. Neu said the biggest advantage for both Semonza and Kelly throughout the spring game and spring camp was their familiarity with all parts of the offense and their ability to work with both the first and second units.
Freshman quarterback Kadin Semonza throws the ball during pregame warmups against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on September 9 in Athens, Georgia. He passed for 55 yards late in the game. Maia Catalin, DN
Kelly rushed for more yards than he passed last season, but said improving his passing ability will be his biggest offseason focus as the 2023 season draws to a close. Although he's happy with his progress, he realizes he still needs to improve in footwork, an important aspect of his game that doesn't really matter to high-level passers.
“If you don't have legs, you can't actually generate force,” Kelly explained. “I'm learning that I can put my foot down, but I have to put my foot in the right place to be able to shift my weight and make accurate passes. When you throw a football, you start with the basics. to start.”
Along with Koziol, another familiar face returns to Ball State's up-and-coming receiving core in redshirt junior Kian Magwood. But Ball State's biggest threat (literally and figuratively) may be the redshirt young duo of Ty Robinson and Bowwick.
At over 6 feet 3 inches tall, Kelly said the trio of Robinson, Bowick and Koziol is the largest group of receivers he's ever thrown to. Koziol said it's not just his height that makes the three-headed monster effective, but also his relative quickness.
Koziol said the desire to return to competitive football was whetted during the Cardinals' spring game, but Ball State football is currently on a hiatus from organized practices until early summer. As for the next game, they will have to wait until the 2024 season officially opens against Missouri State on Saturday, September 7th at Schumann Stadium.
Email comments to Kyle Smedley. kyle.smedley@bsu.edu or on X @KyleSmedley_.
