2008 Woodie Awards
FOOTBALL: Cardinals play for the steak
Food, pride on the line in annual spring game between teammates
Ryan Wood
With the remnants of last season's International Bowl appearance still fresh, Ball State University's football team will put its exclamation point on the spring practice session at noon Saturday.
The Cardinals will play their spring scrimmage to close out the spring portion of their practice schedule. The game will be divided into four 12-minute quarters and will feature a running clock.
Cardinals' coach Brady Hoke divided his players into a north and south squad. One group will consist of Ball State's starting offense and second-team defense, while the other team will combine the Cardinals' starting defense and second-team offense.
"I think our offense is ahead of where our defense is, and that's to be expected with all our returning guys," Hoke said. "It's really good for us to work ones on ones. With the quality of the reps, that's how you get better. It should also add a more competitive flavor to the game."
To ensure a high level of competition, Hoke provides an extra incentive to his players. The winning players of Saturday's scrimmage will receive a steak dinner, while the losing team will be given beans and hot dogs.
Fifth-year senior Louis Johnson tore his ACL four practice sessions into last spring and was unable to participate in the 2007 spring scrimmage. However, Johnson was placed on the losing squad last year and was forced to settle for a hot dog dinner.
Despite playing against his own teammates, Johnson, who is fighting for the No. 2 wide receiver slot and will be playing on the second-team offense Saturday, said the game will be ultra-competitive.
"I'm very hungry for a steak this year," Johnson said with a laugh. "As coach Hoke says all the time, 'It's about winners and losers,' and I like to win. I don't care if it's running a sprint to the wall or tying my shoe the fastest - it's all about winning. That's one thing about our team as a whole - it's all about winning."
Through the end of the spring session, Hoke said, the Cardinals' offense is a couple steps ahead of the defensive unit. Hoke credited it to the experience his team returns on the offensive side of the ball.
The Cardinals will play their spring scrimmage to close out the spring portion of their practice schedule. The game will be divided into four 12-minute quarters and will feature a running clock.
Cardinals' coach Brady Hoke divided his players into a north and south squad. One group will consist of Ball State's starting offense and second-team defense, while the other team will combine the Cardinals' starting defense and second-team offense.
"I think our offense is ahead of where our defense is, and that's to be expected with all our returning guys," Hoke said. "It's really good for us to work ones on ones. With the quality of the reps, that's how you get better. It should also add a more competitive flavor to the game."
To ensure a high level of competition, Hoke provides an extra incentive to his players. The winning players of Saturday's scrimmage will receive a steak dinner, while the losing team will be given beans and hot dogs.
Fifth-year senior Louis Johnson tore his ACL four practice sessions into last spring and was unable to participate in the 2007 spring scrimmage. However, Johnson was placed on the losing squad last year and was forced to settle for a hot dog dinner.
Despite playing against his own teammates, Johnson, who is fighting for the No. 2 wide receiver slot and will be playing on the second-team offense Saturday, said the game will be ultra-competitive.
"I'm very hungry for a steak this year," Johnson said with a laugh. "As coach Hoke says all the time, 'It's about winners and losers,' and I like to win. I don't care if it's running a sprint to the wall or tying my shoe the fastest - it's all about winning. That's one thing about our team as a whole - it's all about winning."
Through the end of the spring session, Hoke said, the Cardinals' offense is a couple steps ahead of the defensive unit. Hoke credited it to the experience his team returns on the offensive side of the ball.
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