Hustle Belt - All PostsMAC Football, MAC Basketball, MAC Recruiting, MAC Baseball and all of the other #MACtion hijinks in between - hustlebeltblog@gmail.comhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50387/hustle-fav.png2024-03-16T12:05:22-04:00http://www.hustlebelt.com/rss/current/2024-03-16T12:05:22-04:002024-03-16T12:05:22-04:002024 NFL Draft Prospect Report: Northern Illinois Huskies
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA FOOTBALL: SEP 12 Murray State at Northern Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ckfzaKPOqLXPZ6VAQdGFdsSChnI=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73211745/580062822.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Christopher Anderson/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>NIU saw six players go through drills and measurements in their annual Pro Day exhibition. </p> <p id="5lnEqb">The NIU Huskies held their Pro Day exercises on March 7, with six former NIU players and a handful of smaller-school prospects going through the traditional gauntlet to state their case for the next level of play. </p>
<p id="z0Cmdt">The Pro Day, which took place at Chessick Practice Center, had 13 NFL scouts in attendance.</p>
<p id="321OS0">Below are the raw numbers and Relative Athletic Scores for all NIU prospects who participated in the school’s Pro Day. All RAS cards are courtesy of Kent Lee Platte, with express written permission:</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="3dLRDF">
<h1 id="DWIYYa">CB Gabriel Amegatcher</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Northern Illinois logo" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Do1wkIYRZB7DTfVBCsor79gKw74=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1307465/northern_illinois.jpg">
</figure>
<h2 id="OVjMAk">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="fJddZ5">A graduate transfer to NIU in the 2023 season, Amegatcher played exclusively special teams as a Huskie. At D-II Nebraska-Kearney, Amegatcher accumulated 38 tackles, 12 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one forced fumble over five seasons. He was a key reserve and special teamer in all years and a starter in 2021 and 2022, earning second-team all-MIAA honors in his redshirt senior season.</p>
<h2 id="YtfQkO">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="SHEgAT">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="uoqGwC">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="STQhTX">
<strong>Height: </strong>six-foot-one</li>
<li id="31mxQO">
<strong>Weight: </strong>202 lbs.</li>
<li id="5A3KNL">
<strong>Arms: </strong>32 and one-eighth inches</li>
<li id="37LZxq">
<strong>Hands: </strong>8 and five-eighth inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="zdwZxg">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="rgYeMd">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.67 seconds</li>
<li id="MyXn94">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.56 seconds</li>
<li id="qgB5Hy">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.62 seconds</li>
<li id="IjLgcY">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.28 seconds</li>
<li id="mcLqUN">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.38 seconds</li>
<li id="RkW6Bo">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>33 inches</li>
<li id="aGcYv7">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>10 feet, four inches</li>
<li id="6p57lp">
<strong>Bench:</strong> 16 reps at 225 lbs.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="4DhMTz">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/y_xa7L5FtdI_t8UTL5Jtj2S809w=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25338159/Untitled.jpg">
<cite>Kent Lee Platee (RAS.football)</cite>
<figcaption>Gabriel Amegatcher’s Relative Atheltic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="Ai4jMC">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul>
<li id="N1FS1x">Rasaul Douglas (2017)</li>
<li id="hSaZd5">Carlton Davis (2018)</li>
<li id="rD3fri">Coby Bryant (2022)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="QPpdCj">
<h1 id="ESBjS7">DL James Ester</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Northern Illinois v Michigan" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oFcIprll0EqgF2gvaxtTosFfw7k=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25338135/1341130666.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="St00NA">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="ELcDjZ">A key contributor from his true freshman year onwards, Ester opted to enter the NFL Draft after five years of service in DeKalb. Ester first earned starting duties in 2020, and would earn all-MAC honors twice (third-team in 2022 and second-team in 2023) before his departure, collecting 121 total tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks, an interception, seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a field goal block. His final campaign was his career-best, with 49 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and four sacks. </p>
<h2 id="Z8MrQE">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="uTsMaw">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="fUiVvL">Measurables (as of Senior Bowl)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="Gjn8E0">
<strong>Height: </strong>six-foot-two</li>
<li id="MBFnaA">
<strong>Weight: </strong>293 lbs.</li>
<li id="6Ku4uq">
<strong>Arms: </strong>33 inches</li>
<li id="OMwbGr">
<strong>Hands: </strong>nine and five-eighth inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="IQM737">Skill Drills (numbers from Combine)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="3WHKdK">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>N/A (groin injury)</li>
<li id="YQQjes">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> N/A (groin injury)</li>
<li id="Ur4Pfm">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>N/A (groin injury)</li>
<li id="PEUcBR">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.76 seconds</li>
<li id="Gvk8V6">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.72 seconds</li>
<li id="8Rfeo6">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>27.5 inches</li>
<li id="3MWres">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>eight<strong> </strong>feet, 11 inches</li>
<li id="WL2mP8">
<strong>Bench:</strong> 23 reps at 225 lbs.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="QOdhPf">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8NGI8wS5_RdCxL5PH1ZSAGmXihc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25338162/ester.jpg">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)</cite>
<figcaption>James Ester’s Relative Athletic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="fYIH7m">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul>
<li id="zw0K7G">Cortez Kennedy (1990)</li>
<li id="Y7IWaK">Roy Philon (2014)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="G6l1Ye">
<h1 id="UCpjTW">LB DaRon Gilbert</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Northern Illinois v Nebraska" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/A6-EFmR6Sc4Vpllguck9rfgYV_I=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25338172/1689356688.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="9xjKwj">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="a2MEo7">Gilbert was a starting outside linebacker in 2023 for NIU after transferring in from FCS Lafayette. In his 13 games as a Huskie, Gilbert was the team’s fourth-leading tackler with 51 total tackles, including 2.5 tackles-for-loss and a half-sack. The Detroit native had a sterling career as a starting safety in four years at Lafayette, finishing with 137 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, two interceptions and nine passes defensed.</p>
<h2 id="M70F8x">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="JxVpNK">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="JSkIx2">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="dAVud1">
<strong>Height: </strong>six-foot-one</li>
<li id="gk7tPk">
<strong>Weight: </strong>214 lbs.</li>
<li id="HynW6b">
<strong>Arms: </strong>34 inches</li>
<li id="dX4J1A">
<strong>Hands: </strong>nine and one-half inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="5961ax">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="HDBfiF">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.72 seconds</li>
<li id="bYaiJt">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.55 seconds</li>
<li id="lTiu2M">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.71 seconds</li>
<li id="nfStIk">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.45 seconds</li>
<li id="ieOKXJ">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.22 seconds</li>
<li id="IcPDDJ">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>34 inches</li>
<li id="XuZgZU">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>nine feet, seven inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="AP8Rmf">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/T4urtyMz36npq090yPMFstt3N38=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25338199/gilbert.jpg">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)</cite>
<figcaption>DaRon Gilbert’s Relative Athletic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="sUOUbG">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul>
<li id="phSN6M">Greg Gilbert (1989)</li>
<li id="hbPkXC">Tony Fields (2021)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="s2X02R">
<h1 id="i5d81X">LB Tyler Jackson</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Northern Illinois logo" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Do1wkIYRZB7DTfVBCsor79gKw74=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1307465/northern_illinois.jpg">
</figure>
<h2 id="Y0Xj1b">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="0LyqcO">Jackson was starting linebacker in 2023 after transferring in from FCS Lamar University. Jackson finished as the team’s third-leading tackler with 56 total tackles, including two tackles-for-loss. At Lamar University, Jackson was a starter at linebacker with 142 total tackles and 12 TFLs, winning all-Southland Conference second-team honors for his play in 2022. Jackson also played as a true freshman at Incarnate Word in 2018 before transferring to Lamar in 2019.</p>
<h2 id="KLKm67">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="xbOorX">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="fpcmPE">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="XnjUVF">
<strong>Height: </strong>six-foot</li>
<li id="6lThTn">
<strong>Weight: </strong>231 lbs.</li>
<li id="wqfvOS">
<strong>Arms: </strong>31 and seven-eighth inches</li>
<li id="G92fk8">
<strong>Hands: </strong>nine and three-eighth inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="x6fq8u">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="bxWZIX">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.98 seconds</li>
<li id="dnCiWh">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.65 seconds</li>
<li id="Riftjv">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.73 seconds</li>
<li id="Mk6W4J">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.63 seconds</li>
<li id="ZoOc6q">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.40 seconds</li>
<li id="rsq0Sq">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>26.5 inches</li>
<li id="KYZ0VH">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>eight<strong> </strong>feet, nine inches</li>
<li id="d8UDru">
<strong>Bench:</strong> six reps at 225 lbs.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="flbJTf">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hhnA0tL4Be6_ySIKWbnhhR4cY6U=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25338223/jackson.jpg">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)</cite>
<figcaption>Tyler Jackson’s Relative Athletic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="x2t7he">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul>
<li id="hvQ0iM">Jerod Fernandez (2018)</li>
<li id="Tkc4h2">Desmond Johnson (2020)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="lFMQrH">
<h1 id="Ahyjtv">QB Rocky Lombardi</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Northern Illinois v Nebraska" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O-uBXwSB0U8YD-NSVRrfOLTu4Ss=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25338231/1689355129.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="dI6GcD">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="mYOu8h">Lombardi was a true warrior on the field, having collected six seasons as a starter at the NCAA level between Michigan State and NIU. Lombardi helped led a young pup Huskeis squad go on a last-to-first MAC title run in 2021 upon his arrival, and was the team’s offensive dynamo whenever he was on the field. A true dual-threat QB, Lombardi finished his Huskies career with 5,516 yards, 31 touchdowns and 16 interceptions through the air at a 58.9 percent completion rate, while also accumulating 603 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground. He’s even shown the propensity for pooch punting, averaging 41.6 yards on six boots.</p>
<h2 id="b5lUq6">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="YdoK6n">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="GNrjN1">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="IUT7Po">
<strong>Height: </strong>six-foot-three and one-half inches</li>
<li id="LF2w72">
<strong>Weight: </strong>223 lbs.</li>
<li id="aKTd7Z">
<strong>Arms: </strong>31 and one-eighth inches</li>
<li id="hluBz0">
<strong>Hands: </strong>nine<strong> </strong>and one-eighth inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="KjWRLF">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="sla8HH">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.71seconds</li>
<li id="CbNA7S">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.57 seconds</li>
<li id="Z4h4Nr">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.69 seconds</li>
<li id="TpliXa">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.47 seconds</li>
<li id="UeezT9">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.25 seconds</li>
<li id="10TDwu">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>35 inches</li>
<li id="uTAsum">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>nine<strong> </strong>feet, 10 inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="70jEYG">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jQSX4XxNTJ2aUVa-5lGn0LHlQX0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25338242/lombardi.jpg">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)</cite>
<figcaption>Rocky Lombardi’s Relative Athletic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="AE0NUc">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul>
<li id="277fnN">Jordan Love (2020)</li>
<li id="wgVfSF">JP Losman (2004)</li>
<li id="M6acJW">Jarrett Brown (2010)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="zTvd5i">
<h1 id="BsXyOY">OT Nolan Potter</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 24 NIU at Kentucky" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_pWdOEATjftbtXqzdp3g0QN7pPI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25338259/1243524526.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="Ec1DrU">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="80lX0P">Potter is a four-year starter and five-year contributor at the tackle position for the Huskies, playing in every eligible season after redshirting in 2018. His last two seasons have cemented him as one of the better OL prospects to come out of the MAC in recent seasons, earning first-team all-MAC honors in his last three seasons as a starter (2021-23.) Potter could be an attractive pick to pro scouts due to his wealth of starting experience at right tackle (43 starts in 52 appearances) and his potential inside versatility at the next level.</p>
<h2 id="NNuWeL">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="H1ZvNJ">Late Day 3 or Priority Undrafted Free Agent</li></ul>
<h2 id="SrFXnP">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="x9X4hE"><strong>Height: six-foot-five</strong></li>
<li id="fcEYWK">
<strong>Weight: </strong>200 lbs.</li>
<li id="rEbQVJ">
<strong>Arms: </strong>31.625 inches</li>
<li id="AwaMWT">
<strong>Hands: </strong>9.125 inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="wb9Wva">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="5zuZPG">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.7 seconds</li>
<li id="Oyy8tj">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.69 seconds</li>
<li id="nO7JLg">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.58 seconds</li>
<li id="wNr37p">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.14 seconds</li>
<li id="jdBFSs">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.02 seconds</li>
<li id="ByURxP">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>32.5 inches</li>
<li id="bTr2CX">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>10<strong> </strong>feet, six inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="4L8KHq">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XSv79WhUqKp_sNQi4Ld4Z5DnPOo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25338272/potter.jpg">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)</cite>
<figcaption>Nolan Potter’s Relative Athletic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QDMXjYQqpzp8CsufViW-VCkDXlk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25338277/potter2.jpg">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)</cite>
<figcaption>Nolan Potter’s Relative Athletic Score as a guard</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="k6ChDs">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<h4 id="GFgmw8">As a tackle:</h4>
<ul>
<li id="A6mRi8">Ronnie Stanley (2016)</li>
<li id="VmlqX3">Caleb Benenoch (2016)</li>
<li id="GYzWWA">Terrance Steele (2020)</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="GEYhrn">As a guard:</h4>
<ul>
<li id="f7Bg0d">Royce Newman (2021)</li>
<li id="2UZzS4">Cordell Volson (2022)</li>
<li id="glQfnO">Parker Ehringer (2017)</li>
</ul>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2024/3/16/24099907/2024-nfl-draft-prospect-report-pro-day-northern-illinois-huskies-relative-athletic-scoreJames H. Jimenez2024-03-15T17:00:00-04:002024-03-15T17:00:00-04:00Belt’s Beer Garden: Czech Yourself
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DLeYQxfKLEoPCY_uzSzpt6tk1UU=/0x0:1800x1200/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73210579/31524.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>Barrique Brewing & Blending’s outstanding pale Czech Lager - Pivo Sládek 10⁰</p> <p id="gcxpw8">Nashville, Tennessee might be known for its whiskey but, if you know where to look, you can find some amazing beers and breweries down there as well. For example, if you’re a fan of Lagers and funk, <a href="http://barriquebrewing.com/">Barrique Brewing & Blending</a> is a must stop destination. </p>
<p id="TJ40iq">Barrique has been around for about five years or so now and specializes in unique - open fermented - lagers and blended/fruited sours which are all aged in barrels. I first visited them last summer and was quite impressed with their options, so when I saw a can up for grabs out by me, I jumped at the chance. </p>
<p id="esz3ZR">Today I have their Pivo Sládek 10⁰, a Czech-style Pale Lager that was brewed with Pilsner malt grown in Czechia. They double decocted the beer and then added some Sládek hops throughout the boil for a bit of bitterness. The final product has a 4.3% ABV and took them over two months to produce, as their label lists it having a NINE week production time - which is a very cool feature I have never seen on a label before. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ugp8kZvL_BrLaP7ljjJ7YMLQn8w=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336961/pivo_sladek_10.jpg">
</figure>
<p id="4qfNfy">This Lager poured a bright golden yellow color with some light cloudiness keeping it from being perfectly translucent. Topping the beer was about two fingers of dense, bright white head. The foam lingered on for quite some time before slowly dissipating down into a small accumulation around the entire glass. There was some moderate lacing as it disappeared.</p>
<p id="LRq5Kr">On the nose there was a bit of a smoky undertone along with some charred wood characteristics. The hops added some light lemon zest and a skosh of bitterness while the grist offered up some bready qualities. The smoky quality seemed to fade as the beer settled and, after a few minutes, the aroma was mostly citrus and biscuity grains. </p>
<p id="nIIk0q">Each sip begins clean, crisp, and light. The flavors are quite subtle but mostly mimic those found in the smell. </p>
<p id="xiAycK">There are bright notes of citrus and lemon zest early on that are followed closely by some more floral qualities, like that of jasmine and orange blossoms. </p>
<p id="oEn789">Those bready notes begin to pick up around the midway point but they mostly remain underneath the citrus and floral flavors that start off each swig. </p>
<p id="lL5Dfs">Towards the backend the hop flavors pick up a tad, adding in some black pepper spice and a slight bitter twinge. The juicy lemon and orange flavors continue all the way through and really stop the peppery/bitter sting from doing too much. </p>
<p id="WbzrHl">It ends insanely clean, with just a touch of that hop bite lingering on for a moment. It’s so clean and so crushable. This is the perfect summer beer. Great for the lake, after mowing the lawn, or just sitting outside. </p>
<p id="bnjqX4">Barrique makes the best Lagers in Nashville and this is another quality example. If you like lighter and/or funkier and sour brews…you NEED to check out Barrique. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jpZt3bR7-38nwGQNKvm53E32gf8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8111873/A.jpg">
</figure>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/belts-beer-garden/2024/3/15/24101331/belts-beer-garden-czech-yourselfDave Drury2024-03-15T09:00:00-04:002024-03-15T09:00:00-04:002024 NFL Draft Prospect Report: Ball State Cardinals
<figure>
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 17 Central Michigan at Ball State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EXUgSN660xDDRHpzKKdkBgW0keg=/0x0:4737x3158/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73209114/1236643871.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>10 Cardinals took part in the traditional exercises hoping to attract the attention of pro scouts. </p> <p id="5lnEqb">Ball State kicked off the Mid-American Conference’s Pro Day circus on March 4, with 10 former Cardinals going through drills for assembled scouts, media and fans as they take the next step on their pro football journeys.</p>
<p id="S3uO1Z">Ball State, just over an hour down I-69 S from Indianapolis, opted to conduct their Pro Day at the conclusion of the NFL Scouting Combine. The prospects worked out in front of 15 professional scouts at the Scheumann Family Indoor Practice Facility. </p>
<p id="pWr4rr">Below are the raw numbers and Relative Athletic Scores for all Ball State prospects who participated in the school’s Pro Day. All RAS cards are courtesy of Kent Lee Platte, with express written permission:</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="TGletH">
<h1 id="DWIYYa">DB Damion Charity</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Football: Ball State at Kentucky" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AcrsdRGOZA8_m-BeicAGR8wi-mM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336433/usa_today_21330976.jpg">
<cite>Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="OVjMAk">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="fJddZ5">Transfer from Old Dominion who solidified himself as a staple player on special teams and rotational player at cornerback in his only season in Muncie. Finished 2023 with 30 tackles (23 solo), three TFLs and two passes defensed. Over his career, Charity had 50 tackles and three pass break-ups.</p>
<h2 id="YtfQkO">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="SHEgAT">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="uoqGwC">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="STQhTX">
<strong>Height: </strong>six-foot and one-quarter</li>
<li id="31mxQO">
<strong>Weight: </strong>180 lbs.</li>
<li id="5A3KNL">
<strong>Arms: </strong>32 and one-eighth inches</li>
<li id="37LZxq">
<strong>Hands: </strong>nine inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="zdwZxg">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="rgYeMd">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.6<strong> </strong>seconds</li>
<li id="MyXn94">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.58 seconds</li>
<li id="qgB5Hy">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.6 seconds</li>
<li id="IjLgcY">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.18 seconds</li>
<li id="mcLqUN">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.13 seconds</li>
<li id="RkW6Bo">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>33.5 inches</li>
<li id="aGcYv7">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>10 feet, seven inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="4DhMTz">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WpkJnW_u6LS1JNEqGlmcwq6ySHQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336466/charity.png">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte/RAS.football</cite>
<figcaption>Damon Charity’s Relative Athletic Score profile</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="Ai4jMC">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul>
<li id="N1FS1x">Levi Wallace (2018)</li>
<li id="mA4qGo">Roland Mitchell (1987)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="QPpdCj">
<h1 id="AWEaYG">LB/LS Clayton Coll</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 02 Western Illinois at Ball State" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vPKy4km9sl3UQfYmWebEn89sofY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25334526/1235023537.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="fiSg0R">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="4JtaPh">A former team captain and member of BSU’s student-athlete leadership council who was named to the 2022 all-MAC second-team defense, Coll suffered a season-ending injury early in 2023, his final year of eligibility. Finished tenure with 259 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, four sacks, two interceptions, seven pass break-ups and four forced fumbles over four seasons of play. Working out as a long snapping prospect to prolong his chances of a professional career.</p>
<h2 id="NvvnnJ">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="hXiFui">Not available; likely a camp invite</li></ul>
<h2 id="WG6e9D">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="mZYIbv">
<strong>Height: </strong>six-foot-two</li>
<li id="aoSoVQ">
<strong>Weight: </strong>234 lbs.</li>
<li id="LKvZhc">
<strong>Arms: </strong>31 and three-eighths inches</li>
<li id="3J9afF">
<strong>Hands: </strong>10 and one-quarter inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="t1Qhwu">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="fxTBDz">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.84<strong> </strong>seconds</li>
<li id="f4hVZG">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.58 seconds</li>
<li id="QvUwL6">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.77 seconds</li>
<li id="3vLvoj">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.27 seconds</li>
<li id="rHTyAL">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.08 seconds</li>
<li id="L5EbNQ">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>35.5 inches</li>
<li id="CcPEuW">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>10 feet, one inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="a6xQef">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tW-7MkKKSRGDJi6syoYqpNi_iX4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336478/coll.png">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte/RAS.football</cite>
<figcaption>Clayton Coll’s Relative Athletic Score as a long snapper</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QREo-JJzAFJSuWfJiHo5LuR-oyg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336480/colllb.png">
<cite>Kent Lee Platee/RAS.football</cite>
<figcaption>Clayton Coll’s Relative Athletic Score as a linebacker</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="lGbCzx">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<p id="orbbbW"><strong>As a long snapping prospect:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="a5NzCe">Steve Wirtel (2020)</li>
<li id="7utJ9L">Billy Taylor (2022)</li>
</ul>
<p id="tD0q2o"><strong>As a linebacker prospect:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="TIKJqz">Sean Lee (2010)</li>
<li id="HpSKEr">Trevor Roach (2015)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="EHc6Zv">
<h1 id="ESBjS7">WR Ahmad Edwards</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Ball State v Georgia" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vC6RRYbq5WWHLETsyQIZ7PfwHRs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336487/1661561811.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="JlJSuE">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="6G7hru">Transferred in from former FCS program Jacksonville State in his final year of eligibility. Finished 2023 with 31 receptions for 254 yards and a touchdown as a starting receiver on an offense which struggled overall. Edwards finished his six-year career between BSU and JSU with 111 catches for 1.395 yards and 11 touchdowns.</p>
<h2 id="ZwA2BQ">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="uTsMaw">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="fUiVvL">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="Gjn8E0">
<strong>Height: </strong>five-foot-11</li>
<li id="MBFnaA">
<strong>Weight: 175 </strong>lbs.</li>
<li id="6Ku4uq">
<strong>Arms: </strong>31 and three-eighth inches</li>
<li id="OMwbGr">
<strong>Hands: </strong>nine and three-quarter inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="IQM737">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="bTl3rG">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.67 seconds</li>
<li id="bvnzT5">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.57 seconds</li>
<li id="DiPteA">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.83 seconds</li>
<li id="AWZbFN">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.53 seconds</li>
<li id="dqVwm9">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.38 seconds</li>
<li id="M9i32d">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>35.5 inches</li>
<li id="sL1LpS">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>10 feet, four inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="QOdhPf">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KA3Sohl3q4Boo9FZ_wM6GbYtAqg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336499/edwards.png">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte/RAS.football</cite>
<figcaption>Ahmad Edwards’ Relative Atheltic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="fYIH7m">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul>
<li id="prPWAA">Ronald Lewis (1990)</li>
<li id="qgamQN">Cedric Zachary (1996)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="G6l1Ye">
<h1 id="UCpjTW">QB Layne Hatcher</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 30 Ball State at Western Michigan" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZWbT5Xdy3TxLk5e4BbhlFRwvFOQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336505/1699099968.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="4AkJWu">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="FuJjvV">Hatcher lived out of a suitcase throughout his career, transferring three times over his five years of eligibility, with stops at Alabama (2018), Arkansas State (2019-21) and Texas State (2022) before his arrival at Ball State. Meant to bring a veteran presence to a young room, Hatcher began the year as the starter before giving way to Kiael Kelly in conference play. Finished 2023 going 65-of-98 for 583 yards and four passing TDs in seven contests. Passed for 10,662 yards, 88 touchdowns and 36 interceptions on 62 percent completion percentage over five seasons.</p>
<h2 id="v2Ua2k">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="JxVpNK">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="JSkIx2">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="KBodF9">
<strong>Height: </strong>five-foot-10</li>
<li id="NxSa4Z">
<strong>Weight: </strong>216 lbs.</li>
<li id="PCKH0W">
<strong>Arms: </strong>30 and three-quarter inches</li>
<li id="sAJhx3">
<strong>Hands: </strong>nine and one-eighth inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="5961ax">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="HDBfiF">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>N/A</li>
<li id="bYaiJt">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> N/A</li>
<li id="lTiu2M">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>N/A</li>
<li id="nfStIk">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.52 seconds</li>
<li id="ieOKXJ">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.58 seconds</li>
<li id="IcPDDJ">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>28 inches</li>
<li id="XuZgZU">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>eight feet, three inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="AP8Rmf">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/28urY1kk-UizzVJM_EusiHe5WP4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336685/hatcher.png">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte/RAS.football</cite>
<figcaption>Layne Hatcher’s Relative Athletic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="o2qrQe">Kent Lee Platte </p>
<h2 id="sUOUbG">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul><li id="phSN6M">David Fales (2014)</li></ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="s2X02R">
<h1 id="i5d81X">LB/DE Sidney Houston Jr.</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 01 Ball State at Kent State" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0c1tr0g8g5-Z4dhrjFHELQeI3Fc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336687/1244413819.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="rxPS33">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="VAhHwr">A transfer from D-II McKendree University in 2022, Houston quickly established himself as a starter at the outside linebacker position, eventually anchoring in as a hybrid edge rusher. Played in all eligible games as a Cardinal, earning first-team all-MAC honors as a defensive lineman in 2023 after collecting 59 tackles, including 17 tackles-for-loss, eight sacks and a forced fumble. Houston finishes his collegiate career with 223 total tackles, 38 tackles-for-loss and 17.5 sacks.</p>
<h2 id="k6xq1M">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="xbOorX">Not available; likely a camp invite</li></ul>
<h2 id="fpcmPE">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="XnjUVF">
<strong>Height: </strong>six-foot and one-half inch</li>
<li id="6lThTn">
<strong>Weight: </strong>246 lbs.</li>
<li id="wqfvOS">
<strong>Arms: </strong>31 and three-quarter inches</li>
<li id="G92fk8">
<strong>Hands: </strong>nine and one-quarter inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="x6fq8u">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="bxWZIX">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.92 seconds</li>
<li id="dnCiWh">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.69 seconds</li>
<li id="Riftjv">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.83 seconds</li>
<li id="Mk6W4J">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.4 seconds</li>
<li id="ZoOc6q">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.58<strong> </strong>seconds</li>
<li id="rsq0Sq">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>26.5<strong> </strong>inches</li>
<li id="KYZ0VH">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>nine<strong> </strong>feet, eight inches</li>
<li id="AKzBPo">
<strong>Bench:</strong> 19 reps at 225 lbs.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="flbJTf">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/P7yShyHVcSKiJVeVq-yCp-TektQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336703/houston.png">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte/RAS.football</cite>
<figcaption>Sidney Houston Jr.’s Relative Atheltic Score as a defensive end</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cKLPnKLPP8mcmFkZzautZz5CIpU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336704/houston2.png">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte/RAS.football</cite>
<figcaption>Sidney Houston Jr.’s Relative Athletic Score as a linebacker</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="x2t7he">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<p id="V5bkCG"><strong>As a defensive end:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="hvQ0iM">JaQuan Bailey (2021)</li>
<li id="0I7wBu">Mikhasil Dubose (2017)</li>
</ul>
<p id="S3VrYD"><strong>As a linebacker:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="VEVWKH">Martin Davis (1993)</li>
<li id="l9auMc">Al-Rasheed Benton (2018)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="lFMQrH">
<h1 id="Ahyjtv">DT James Makszin</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 09 Ball State at Georgia" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3yUalMLHKI5aq0EVpq1I08d5Ous=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336746/1659529424.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="pFepPF">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="8LTljD">A rotational presence for BSU in 2023 after transferring in from FCS Rhode Island in the offseason. Finished his lone campaign in Muncie with 23 total tackles, including a half-sack and 1.5 tackles-for-loss. Maskzin was a team captain at Rhode Island prior to his arrival, leaving the Rams after collecting 105 tackles, 9.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks over five seasons. </p>
<h2 id="DewHAn">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="YdoK6n">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="GNrjN1">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="IUT7Po">
<strong>Height: </strong>six-foot-two</li>
<li id="LF2w72">
<strong>Weight: </strong>281 lbs.</li>
<li id="aKTd7Z">
<strong>Arms: </strong>30 and three-quarter inches</li>
<li id="hluBz0">
<strong>Hands: </strong>nine and three-eighth inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="KjWRLF">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="sla8HH">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>5.3 seconds</li>
<li id="CbNA7S">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.70 seconds</li>
<li id="Z4h4Nr">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>3.03 seconds</li>
<li id="TpliXa">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.65 seconds</li>
<li id="UeezT9">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.75 seconds</li>
<li id="10TDwu">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>32 inches</li>
<li id="uTAsum">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>N/A</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="70jEYG">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GXnfONV8oKLGrRlnzx3RCpTP9wY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336744/maskzin.png">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)</cite>
<figcaption>James Makszin’s Relative Athletic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="AE0NUc">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul>
<li id="277fnN">Markell Utsey (2022)</li>
<li id="zSvlHr">Quindarius Thagard (2019)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="zTvd5i">
<h1 id="BsXyOY">DB Aljareek Malry</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Football: Virginia Military at Wake Forest" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DMLl3I2XcgU9xhi7SPnoju_bqeo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336750/usa_today_18965783.jpg">
<cite>Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="PgDmip">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="RVWjl9">Malry was another transfer on defense in the 2023 cycle, arriving in Muncie via Virginia Military Institute. Malry would work his way into the rotation, primarily at safety, finishing 2023 with 55 total tackles, three tackles-for-loss, three passes defensed and an interception. Between BSU and VMI, Malry finished with 288 tackles, 16.5 tackles-for-loss, 20 passes defensed, three interceptions and three sacks.</p>
<h2 id="iTKOmv">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="H1ZvNJ">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="SrFXnP">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="x9X4hE">
<strong>Height: </strong>five-foot-ten</li>
<li id="fcEYWK">
<strong>Weight: </strong>182 lbs.</li>
<li id="rEbQVJ">
<strong>Arms: </strong>32 and one-quarter inches</li>
<li id="AwaMWT">
<strong>Hands: </strong>eight and three-quarter<strong> </strong>inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="wb9Wva">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="5zuZPG">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.75 seconds</li>
<li id="Oyy8tj">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.59 seconds</li>
<li id="nO7JLg">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.70 seconds</li>
<li id="wNr37p">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.14 seconds</li>
<li id="jdBFSs">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.02 seconds</li>
<li id="ByURxP">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>32 inches</li>
<li id="bTr2CX">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>10<strong> </strong>feet</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="4L8KHq">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IXJpGp0lFe_nlHRfgjJkIePmRI8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336768/malry.png">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)</cite>
<figcaption>Aljareek Malry’s Relative Atheltic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="k6ChDs">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul>
<li id="A6mRi8">Tyree Robinson (2022)</li>
<li id="3FvtGm">Quinton Jordan (2020)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Ov3lhv">
<h1 id="Y04XhW">CB Tyler “Red” Potts</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Ball State v Georgia" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GUnXvOSqkwX90JbPk8t2o4pn1AU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336773/1661570306.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="aQszu8">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="ebyccI">A key reserve cornerback with special teams prowess, Potts has been a fixture in the BSU locker room since 2018. Potts had an effective four-year career after missing all but one game of Ball State’s MAC championship run in 2020 and the entirety of 2021 due to injury, finishing his career with 67 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks, three interceptions, 16 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. </p>
<h2 id="iKYrXT">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="iWXGsX">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="mas24j">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="x77ILp">
<strong>Height: </strong>five-foot-10 and one-quarter inches</li>
<li id="1bschQ">
<strong>Weight: </strong>186 lbs.</li>
<li id="Sm57s6">
<strong>Arms: </strong>31 inches</li>
<li id="xU4aDI">
<strong>Hands: </strong>8 and one-quarter inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="DPlgvM">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="L7KWqU">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.57<strong> </strong>seconds</li>
<li id="SnxvYu">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.54 seconds</li>
<li id="4zVvtv">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.60 seconds</li>
<li id="zl1n9c">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.52 seconds</li>
<li id="ul50QI">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.21 seconds</li>
<li id="40P8sk">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>34 inches</li>
<li id="hudRED">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>10 feet, three inches</li>
<li id="Bzi8u0">
<strong>Bench</strong>: 11 reps at 225 lbs.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="dZbBKU">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ntdVFuDz_zzZJk0LOu-YVZ2dxT0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336787/potts.png">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)</cite>
<figcaption>Tyler Potts’ Relative Athletic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="8kCGxm">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul>
<li id="DYkMNV">Robert Massey (1989)</li>
<li id="yCXPWt">Lorenzo Burns (2021)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="RxhjBu">
<h1 id="jKrRsC">DL Mikhail Sibblis</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NO81UK1TxJj_D97lVzS5rA0BF84=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23895203/ball_state_cardinals_logo_secondary_2015_sportslogosnet_7929.png">
<cite>Ball State University Athletics</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="LOoPkR">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="eMTPgf">Sibblis was part of an experienced defensive line rotation in 2023, joining the Cards after transferring in from FCS Lehigh, where he was a team captain and a multiple-time all-Patriot League contributor. Sibblis finished the 2023 season with 37 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss and four sacks for the Cardinals, leading all true defensive linemen in all three statistics by a good margin. Over a 42-game career between BSU and Lehigh, Sibblis collected 151 tackles, 24 tackles-for-loss and 14 sacks.</p>
<h2 id="4i0DvJ">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="5ghmUx">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="z3944y">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="sU8B96">
<strong>Height: </strong>six-foot-two</li>
<li id="UbnVRO">
<strong>Weight: </strong>253 lbs.</li>
<li id="LeQah4">
<strong>Arms: </strong>31 and three-eighths inches</li>
<li id="N3QKZO">
<strong>Hands: </strong>10 and one-quarter inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="K2riuw">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="zMwKJn">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.90<strong> </strong>seconds</li>
<li id="hf6p7m">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.65 seconds</li>
<li id="QOzw2q">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.76 seconds</li>
<li id="pA6Ei8">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.45 seconds</li>
<li id="KbetwR">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>7.40 seconds</li>
<li id="Um0uPX">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>36 inches</li>
<li id="nghH5v">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>Nine feet, nine inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="8fp1lA">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Bdy3RQbgvK_oPdec0Yoi3vg1VIQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336797/sibblis.png">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)</cite>
<figcaption>Mikhari Sibblis’ Relative Athletic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="QVD7k3">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul>
<li id="GNCdSR">LaTroy Lewis (2017)</li>
<li id="GL8YOZ">Parker Heese (2019)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="3aQi4r">
<h1 id="PMXPSF">DB Loren Strickland</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Football: Ball State at Georgia" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MAusBXyr9_Y1am4NevzB6UGR3sg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336805/usa_today_21379975.jpg">
<cite>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="xQhgLK">Elevator Pitch:</h2>
<p id="G3EnM4">Strickland transferred in to Ball State from University of Indianapolis in the 2022 offseason and immediately became a starter in the defensive backfield, primarily at safety. A former team captain at UIndy, Strickland won the Great Lakes Valley Conference defensive freshman of the year award in 2020 and was also on the conference’s first-team defense that season. Strickland finished his two-year stint at Ball State with 50 total tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a sack. </p>
<h2 id="riNHX6">Draft Projections:</h2>
<ul><li id="0Z0Gcc">Not available</li></ul>
<h2 id="WUhZws">Measurables (as of Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="05bt5l">
<strong>Height: </strong>five-foot-nine</li>
<li id="3pcwun">
<strong>Weight: </strong>199 lbs.</li>
<li id="bO4ekb">
<strong>Arms: </strong>30 and one-half inches</li>
<li id="sCdIHQ">
<strong>Hands: </strong>nine and three-quarter inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="Ha2Nrq">Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)</h2>
<ul>
<li id="gvuw16">
<strong>40-yard dash: </strong>4.56<strong> </strong>seconds</li>
<li id="OzpQmW">
<strong>10-yard split:</strong> 1.58 seconds</li>
<li id="83zVTX">
<strong>20-yard split: </strong>2.58 seconds</li>
<li id="4alonW">
<strong>Shuttle: </strong>4.4 seconds</li>
<li id="GREcv9">
<strong>Three-cone drill: </strong>6.95 seconds</li>
<li id="NWFgSB">
<strong>Vertical jump: </strong>38 inches</li>
<li id="ykwod1">
<strong>Broad jump: </strong>10 feet, five inches</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="DY6I8J">Relative Athletic Score:</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cLRLla2NyDlePXw7Z98Ym8kxBhU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336810/strickland.png">
<cite>Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)</cite>
<figcaption>Loren Strickland’s Relative Athletic Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="hvfJYI">RAS Comparisons:</h2>
<ul>
<li id="XVQ2hm">Donte Whitner (2006)</li>
<li id="WhWomT">Rafael Bush (2017)</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="GGkdDb">
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2024/3/15/24099906/2024-nfl-draft-prospect-pro-day-report-ball-state-cardinals-relative-athletic-scoresJames H. Jimenez2024-03-14T14:00:00-04:002024-03-14T14:00:00-04:002024 Mid-American Conference Baseball Week 4 Recap
<figure>
<img alt="Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VcgfEzKrmsxsy-u8v9331DruvuQ=/0x0:5044x3363/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73207324/usa_today_22660655.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A surprising opening weekend of MAC play lends itself to jumping to conclusions, but is it what it seems to be?</p> <p id="KiRwx5">It’s the first week of MAC baseball and it looked noticeably colder at the MAC games than the opening weeks of the season in the Carolinas, Florida and Texas. It’s nothing that a majority of the MAC players aren’t used to but it definitely affects the games. It’s harder to stay loose, the ball comes out of the hand differently and getting jammed at the plate hurts worse.</p>
<p id="axPj9l">I’ll never say no to baseball, but March baseball in Ohio and Indiana does feel like a mistake. No matter what, baseball is being played and this time it’s the most important games for the teams. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="c8sYpv">
<h3 id="bLU1KZ"><strong>Week 4 Conference Standings</strong></h3>
<div id="rswUmL"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:28%">Team</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">Conf W</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">Conf L</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">GB</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">Runs For</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">Runs Ag.</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">Win</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">Loss</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">Runs For</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">Runs Ag.</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Kent State Golden Flashes
</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">+2</td>
<td align="right">26</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">92</td>
<td align="right">92</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Bowling Green Falcons
</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">+2</td>
<td align="right">43</td>
<td align="right">27</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">99</td>
<td align="right">114</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Toledo Rockets
</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">+2</td>
<td align="right">14</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">55</td>
<td align="right">89</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Northern Illinois Huskies
</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">+1</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">88</td>
<td align="right">139</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Eastern Michigan Eagles
</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">+1</td>
<td align="right">24</td>
<td align="right">22</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td align="right">93</td>
<td align="right">90</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Ball State Cardinals
</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">22</td>
<td align="right">24</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">96</td>
<td align="right">85</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Ohio Bobcats
</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">85</td>
<td align="right">95</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Western Michigan Broncos
</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0.5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">113</td>
<td align="right">113</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Akron Zips
</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td align="right">14</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">61</td>
<td align="right">111</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Miami RedHawks
</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">27</td>
<td align="right">43</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td align="right">119</td>
<td align="right">140</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Central Michigan Chippewas
</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">26</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">14</td>
<td align="right">71</td>
<td align="right">164</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p id="zvL3kf">Let’s overreact to the first weekend of MAC baseball! </p>
<p id="W7Shs2">Every team plays 30 MAC games over the next 11 weeks, and this week saw 10 teams play about 10 percent of said schedule— but that’s never stopped anyone from jumping to conclusions. With six teams making the MAC Tournament this season, the cut line will be around a .500 winning percentage. Last season, Toledo would have been the sixth seed at 14-16 in the conference. </p>
<p id="vrJehe">Kent State, Bowling Green and Toledo each swept their series and gave themselves an early lead on the field. Kent State pitching dominated Central Michigan and the bats exploded in game three. This series has been a very important series for the end of the year seeding in the MAC Tournament. This year, it did two things immediately. Kent State is fine despite a slow start to the season, and now there are major questions about Central Michigan. </p>
<p id="AojFEb">Bowling Green and Miami played a wild three-game set that ended in the Falcons sweeping the series. Looking at the rosters before the season, both teams are going to be in the mix for the final spots in the MAC Tournament. Bowling Green sweeping the RedHawks is huge for them. It wasn’t easy and I don’t think it ends that way if they played another three-game series, but it did this time.</p>
<p id="ckO0YX">Toledo sweeping Akron probably wouldn’t happen in a repeat as well, but the good Toledo pitching showed up in Akron. Toledo’s pitching staff has been hot and cold and they were definitely hot. Akron played well but lost three games by a combined five runs, two were by a single run. </p>
<p id="AYV5dp">Northern Illinois took two games from Ohio and Eastern Michigan did the same to Ball State. Both are early upsets, but there are a lot of games to play. Eastern Michigan has leaned on their starting pitchers to carry the load this season. Their starting pitchers have pitched 68 percent of their innings and the next highest team is Bowling Green at 51 percent. </p>
<p id="UfvMnO">NIU beat Ohio in game three in a really strange game. The Huskies needed 120 pitches to get through nine innings and faced 36 batters. That’s 3.3 pitches per batter and with only two walks. NIU pitchers were throwing strikes and Ohio couldn’t turn their balls in play into hits. Clearly, the Bobcats were being aggressive at the plate, but it didn’t work.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="2NZ1uJ">
<h3 id="38vANV"><strong>Is Central Michigan OK?</strong></h3>
<p id="6rm35Z">Central Michigan is in an unusual spot. They currently stand 3-14 and 0-3 in the conference and it’s not looking good for the Chippewas. They’ve been a MAC postseason regular and represented the MAC in the NCAA Tournament in 2019, 2021 and 2022. This does not look like the Central Michigan teams that everyone is used to through the first four weeks of the season. </p>
<p id="fayHUD">The case for CMU being in trouble is pretty simple. At the time of writing, they are on an 11-game losing streak and the numbers through four weeks are bleak. They have a team batting average of .228, their on-base percentage and slugging percentage is 10th in the MAC and they strike out at the highest rate in the MAC. </p>
<p id="Uo0tEc">The strikeout rate is consistent from 2023 and striking out isn’t the worst outcome of an at-bat. Their calling card on offense has been their ability to get on base, but the OBP is down 63 points from this time last season. The slugging percentage is down about the same amount and the runs per game is only 4.2. </p>
<p id="6QQD4Q">The pitching staff has suffered as well. The team ERA is 9.46 and the walks-hits per inning pitched is over two. In the average inning, two batters reach base. It doesn’t matter how that compares to the previous year, those are bad numbers. </p>
<p id="WAMsqo">There’s no denying this isn’t where Central Michigan wanted to be, but their schedule has been brutal. The losing streak started in a series against Dallas Baptist, a traditional college baseball power. <a href="https://d1baseball.com/top-25/d1baseball-top-25-arkansas-takes-over-no-1-spot/">D1Baseball</a> has them as the #19 team in the nation and there’s no question they’re a strong team. </p>
<p id="HtSkwI">The next weekend they played Oklahoma State, an NCAA Regional host in 2023. They aren’t the same team they were last season, but they didn’t forget how to play baseball. Then they played a midweek set against Oral Roberts, the team that won the Stillwater Regional and made a run all the way to the College World Series. Three teams in a row that no one would bat an eye at being in the NCAA Tournament field this summer.</p>
<p id="46WpMQ">Getting swept by Kent State is disappointing because they expect to compete with that team for the MAC title, and they should. The Chippewas also wanted these games to be more competitive. They have a -92 run differential over the 11-game streak.</p>
<p id="B4skIk">Central Michigan can turn it around and the open weekend of conference games won’t matter if they make the MAC Tournament. The NCAA Tournament representative for the MAC will be the tournament champ for the foreseeable future and it’s only three games. The results suggest that the departure of head coach Jordan Bischel, and the players that transferred to Cincinnati with him, is going to be difficult to overcome in 2024.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ZYFIj3">
<h3 id="2G3Yg4"><strong>Quick Notes:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li id="DAdOQG">
<strong>Toledo at Akron</strong>: Noah Johnson and Grant Umberger were stellar for the Rockets, starting games one and two respectively. Akron’s pitching was good, but couldn’t quite match Toledo's. In the finale, the Toledo bullpen took control for 5.1 innings and allowed two runs, five hits and struck out nine. The Rockets sweep the series and start 3-0 in MAC play.</li>
<li id="4WnWv7">
<strong>EMU at Ball State</strong>: The Eagles won two games in a tight, high-scoring series. Their starting pitchers are first, second and fourth respectively in innings pitched this season and the Eagles have needed every one of those innings. Ball State scored ten runs in the ten innings pitched by the EMU bullpen. Ball State’s Merritt Beeker was one out away from a Quality Start and struck out 10 in his 5.2 innings.</li>
<li id="bcKy4R">
<strong>Bowling Green at Miami</strong>: This series was absolutely crazy. Bowling Green had a 10-1 lead after five and a half innings in game one and Miami answered with ten runs in the sixth inning. They took the lead to 15-10 before the Falcons retook the lead 16-15. Game two was the most relaxed game, and a 12-1 win for BGSU. Miami rallied back from an early 9-0 hole to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth at ten each in game three. Miami was at the end of their bullpen and left Carson Byers on the mound to handle the final 3.1 innings, including when Bowling Green was scoring four runs in the top of the 12th. Whew.</li>
<li id="WN5a7a">
<strong>CMU at Kent St</strong>: Kent State looked like themselves for the first time this season and took care of a Central Michigan team that looks lost. The Flashes had a team OPS of 1.006 in the series. Their team ERA was 0.72 with a WHIP below one. CMU only got 15 hits over the three games.</li>
<li id="UWTjg7">
<strong>NIU at Ohio</strong>: The Huskies and Bobcats played a low-scoring series that was decided by defense. Northern Illinois won game one by taking advantage of Ohio's errors and scoring five unearned runs. NIU only won five conference games a year ago and just took two from Ohio. This is a much peskier NIU squad than the previous seasons.</li>
<li id="bk5OWV">
<strong>Western Michigan</strong>: The Bronco pitching got beat up in the weekend series against VCU, Michigan St and Western Carolina. They’re still statistically one of the best offenses in the MAC and they’ve gotten great production from the bullpen. That will keep them in a lot of games this season. For example, they scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth against VCU to push the game to extra innings.</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ysSugw">
<h3 id="HVDD6u"><strong>Notable Performances</strong></h3>
<div id="WwWWzh"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th colspan="4" align="left">MAC Team of the Week</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">C</td>
<td align="left">Lucas Johnson</td>
<td align="left">Eastern Michigan</td>
<td align="left">2-9, 2 Runs, 2 RBI, HR, 2 BB</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Corner IF</td>
<td align="left">Blake Bevis</td>
<td align="left">Ball State</td>
<td align="left">6-17, 8 Runs, 3 RBI, 2B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 2 HBP</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Corner IF</td>
<td align="left">Michael Hallquist</td>
<td align="left">Ball State</td>
<td align="left">8-21, 5 Runs, 6 RBI, 3B, 2 HR, BB, HBP, Sac Fly</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Mid IF</td>
<td align="left">Dillon Baker</td>
<td align="left">Miami</td>
<td align="left">11-19, 5 Runs, 3 RBI, 2B, HR, 2 BB</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Mid IF</td>
<td align="left">Tyler Ross</td>
<td align="left">Bowling Green</td>
<td align="left">8-14, 6 Runs, 10 RBI, 3 2B, 3B, 2 BB, SB, 2 Sac Fly</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">OF</td>
<td align="left">Gavin Ganun</td>
<td align="left">Bowling Green</td>
<td align="left">5-8, 3 Runs, 6 RBI, 2 HR, 2 BB, SB</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">OF</td>
<td align="left">Luke Walton</td>
<td align="left">Toledo</td>
<td align="left">7-14, 4 Runs, 5 RBI, 2B, 3 HR, 3 BB, 2 HBP</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">OF</td>
<td align="left">Josh Johnson</td>
<td align="left">Kent State</td>
<td align="left">8-14, 6 Runs, 4 RBI, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 BB, 4 SB</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Extra Hitter</td>
<td align="left">Nick Gregory</td>
<td align="left">Ball State</td>
<td align="left">9-15, 3 Runs, 3 RBI, 2B, HR, 2 BB, HBP</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">SP</td>
<td align="left">Nic Good</td>
<td align="left">Bowling Green</td>
<td align="left">Win, 7 IP, H, R, ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HBP</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">SP</td>
<td align="left">Jack Kartsonas</td>
<td align="left">Kent State</td>
<td align="left">Win, 6 IP, 4 H, R, ER, BB, 10 K, HBP</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">SP</td>
<td align="left">Calvin Bickerstaff</td>
<td align="left">Kent State</td>
<td align="left">Win, 5 IP, 3 H, R, 5 K</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">RP</td>
<td align="left">Joe Shapiro</td>
<td align="left">Western Michigan</td>
<td align="left">Win, 4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">RP</td>
<td align="left">Gavin Jones</td>
<td align="left">Kent State</td>
<td align="left">Win, Save, 2.1 IP, 2 H, 5 K</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">RP</td>
<td align="left">Emmett Gillies</td>
<td align="left">Akron</td>
<td align="left">3.2 IP, 4 H, BB, 6 K, HBP</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p id="xwj1oJ">Luke Walton is the big hitter of the week with three home runs for Toledo. Two of them came in the series with Akron, the second in game three. He was the third batter to the plate and his three-run home run was crucial in the 6-5 win. </p>
<p id="YIl2fX">Ball State’s corner infielders sweep the positions despite losing the series to Eastern Michigan. Michael Hallquist has had an incredible start to the season after transferring from Division II Minnesota-Crookston. He’s third in the MAC in hits and his six home runs is tied for second. Ball State knows where to find their guys to reload year after year.</p>
<p id="jwyYoY">Josh Johnson reached base 11 times and stole four bases. He leads Kent State and the MAC with ten on the season. He’s a do-it-all outfielder who hits for power, average and can tear up the basepaths. He posted an 0.886 OPS last year and is sitting over one so far this season. I hope he gets his name called in July.</p>
<p id="mZ8NO4">Kent State's starting pitching dominated their series with Central Michigan. Jack Kartsonas allowed a base runner per inning, allowed one run and struck out ten in six innings. His teammate Calvin Bickerstaff allowed fewer baserunners without the strikeouts. His start was a runaway game and they didn’t need to stretch him, but I’m sure they could have the way he was cruising.</p>
<p id="Z75nLu">Nic Good also got run support in his start for Bowling Green, but he didn’t need it. He allowed one hit in seven innings of work. It was the only comfortable game for the Falcons of the weekend and allowed them to save pitching for a 12-inning game the next day. Pitchers who can be efficient and eat innings are huge for college bullpens.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="PjFaFu">
<h3 id="MZSIPs"><strong>A look ahead to Week 5:</strong></h3>
<p id="SUAIrW">All of the matchups in the second weekend of MAC play are interesting for one reason or another. Here’s to hoping the weather cooperates in mid-March and all of the games get in without a problem.</p>
<p id="3ZYRId">Bowling Green is headed to Ball State in the baseball battle of the birds. Ball State is hungry for wins but the Falcons are hot. They scored 43 runs in three games against Miami and their starting pitching was excellent. In past seasons, these kinds of matchups looked interesting on paper, but then the favorite steamrolled their way to a win. Maybe Bowling Green bucks that trend, or becomes the favorite this year.</p>
<p id="DuT26P">Toledo and Western Michigan play a series that could easily go either way. I think Toledo was fortunate to sweep Akron, but they did it with excellent pitching. Western Michigan has maybe the top offense after their non-conference schedule. It’s a classic matchup and could be decided by a handful of runs. </p>
<p id="QBSkwv">Central Michigan and Miami both need wins. At least one team will get them, but both will be pretty desperate to get rid of the zero in front of their conference record. Miami’s pitching wasn’t a strength last season and is struggling again. This could be the series in which Central Michigan finally scores some runs. </p>
<p id="jlxcCa">Northern Illinois and Akron could have some juice this year as both teams are improved but still might be bottom-half MAC teams. If NIU can win the series, they’ll be in the driver's seat for the most improved team, if not more than that. Kent State would do well to show they didn’t just beat a down CMU team against Ohio, but there’s a chance the Bobcats keep finding ways to score runs and take the series. </p>
<p id="uhtYPK">Eastern Michigan is the odd team out this week and plays a four-game set against Morehead State. Let’s see if they can use it to get their bullpen figured out.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="EPXK2K">
<h3 id="3LtroQ"><strong>Series Scores:</strong></h3>
<div id="xcVdpE"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-6</td>
<td align="left">Akron Zips</td>
<td align="center">8-19</td>
<td align="left"><b>Cincinnati Bearcats</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-6</td>
<td align="left">Toledo Rockets</td>
<td align="center">2-6</td>
<td align="left"><b>Dayton Flyers</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-8</td>
<td align="left"><b>Toledo Rockets</b></td>
<td align="center">6-3</td>
<td align="left">Akron Zips</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-8</td>
<td align="left"><b>Toledo Rockets</b></td>
<td align="center">2-1</td>
<td align="left">Akron Zips</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-9</td>
<td align="left"><b>Toledo Rockets</b></td>
<td align="center">6-5</td>
<td align="left">Akron Zips</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td align="left">at Michigan (Tue), at Wright State (Wed), at Western Michigan</td>
<td align="center">Next Opp.</td>
<td align="left">at Pittsburgh (Tues), vs Northern Illinois</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="OvFiFK"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-5</td>
<td align="left">Eastern Michigan Eagles</td>
<td align="center">2-6</td>
<td align="left"><b>#9 Vanderbilt Commodores</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-6</td>
<td align="left"><b>Ball State Cardinals</b></td>
<td align="center">10-2 F/7</td>
<td align="left">Florida A&M Rattlers</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-6</td>
<td align="left"><b>Ball State Cardinals</b></td>
<td align="center">6-4 F/7</td>
<td align="left">Florida A&M Rattlers</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-8</td>
<td align="left"><b>Eastern Michigan Eagles</b></td>
<td align="center">10-9</td>
<td align="left">Ball State Cardinals</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-9</td>
<td align="left"><b>Eastern Michigan Eagles</b></td>
<td align="center">6-2</td>
<td align="left">Ball State Cardinals</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-10</td>
<td align="left">Eastern Michigan Eagles</td>
<td align="center">8-11</td>
<td align="left"><b>Ball State Cardinals</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td align="left">at Morehead State</td>
<td align="center">Next Opp.</td>
<td align="left">vs Purdue FW (Tues), vs Bowling Green</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="sPb2TK"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-6</td>
<td align="left">Miami RedHawks</td>
<td align="center">5-6</td>
<td align="left"><b>Wright State</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-8</td>
<td align="left"><b>Bowling Green Falcons</b></td>
<td align="center">17-16</td>
<td align="left">Miami RedHawks</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-9</td>
<td align="left"><b>Bowling Green Falcons</b></td>
<td align="center">12-1</td>
<td align="left">Miami RedHawks</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-10</td>
<td align="left"><b>Bowling Green Falcons</b></td>
<td align="center">14-10 F/12</td>
<td align="left">Miami RedHawks</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td align="left">vs Central Michigan</td>
<td align="center">Next Opp.</td>
<td align="left">at Dayton (Tues), at Ball State</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="9lDgQ5"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-5</td>
<td align="left">Central Michigan Chippewas</td>
<td align="center">5-15</td>
<td align="left"><b>Oral Roberts Golden Eagles</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-5</td>
<td align="left">Tiffin Dragons</td>
<td align="center">7-11</td>
<td align="left"><b>Kent State Golden Flashes</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-6</td>
<td align="left">Central Michigan Chippewas</td>
<td align="center">7-10</td>
<td align="left"><b>Oral Roberts Golden Eagles</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-8</td>
<td align="left">Central Michigan Chippewas</td>
<td align="center">3-6</td>
<td align="left"><b>Kent State Golden Flashes</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-8</td>
<td align="left">Central Michigan Chippewas</td>
<td align="center">1-3</td>
<td align="left"><b>Kent State Golden Flashes</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-9</td>
<td align="left">Central Michigan Chippewas</td>
<td align="center">2-17 F/7</td>
<td align="left"><b>Kent State Golden Flashes</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td align="left">at Miami</td>
<td align="center">Next Opp.</td>
<td align="left">vs Youngstown (Tues), at Ohio</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="MUBIwW"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-6</td>
<td align="left">Youngstown State Penguins</td>
<td align="center">19-21</td>
<td align="left"><b>Ohio Bobcats</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-8</td>
<td align="left"><b>Northern Illinois</b></td>
<td align="center">8-6</td>
<td align="left">Ohio Bobcats</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-8</td>
<td align="left">Northern Illinois</td>
<td align="center">1-4</td>
<td align="left"><b>Ohio Bobcats</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-10</td>
<td align="left"><b>Northern Illinois</b></td>
<td align="center">6-1</td>
<td align="left">Ohio Bobcats</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td align="left">at Purdue (Wed), at Akron</td>
<td align="center">Next Opp.</td>
<td align="left">at Moorehead State (Tues), vs Kent State</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="kuBSis"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-5</td>
<td align="left"><b>Western Michigan Broncos</b></td>
<td align="center">5-4</td>
<td align="left">Presbyterian Blue Hose</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-7</td>
<td align="left"><b>Virginia Commonwealth Rams</b></td>
<td align="center">9-7 F/11</td>
<td align="left">Western Michigan Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-8</td>
<td align="left">Western Michigan Broncos</td>
<td align="center">3-5</td>
<td align="left"><b>Michigan State Spartans</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-10</td>
<td align="left">Western Michigan Broncos</td>
<td align="center">6-18 F/7</td>
<td align="left"><b>Western Carolina Catamounts</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td colspan="3" align="left">vs Toledo</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p id="D4yk4J"></p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2024/3/14/24097780/2024-mid-american-conference-baseball-week-4-recap-central-michigan-kent-state-ohio-toledo-miamiandrewpearson132024-03-08T17:00:00-05:002024-03-08T17:00:00-05:00Belt’s Beer Garden: CrissKros
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/i-Ypuo2zPLZUvyRLjTtVkeMKDT8=/0x0:1800x1200/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73192936/3824.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>Fairy Nectar DDH from Nebraska’s Kros Strain Brewing</p> <p id="bXJC2d">Hailing from the Omaha suburb of La Vista, Nebraska, <a href="https://krosstrainbrewing.com/">Kros Strain</a> has been keeping the Cornhuskers’ thirst at bay since 2017. Over the last 6+ years, they have acquired quite a few accolades, including multiple medals from the US Open Beer Championship, World Beer Cup, FoBAB (Festival of Barrel Aged Beers), and GABF. </p>
<p id="5qlcFk">They can be hard to find if you’re not living in Nebraska, so I haven’t been able to try too many of their brews…however, today I found myself with a can of their Fairy Nectar DDH - a hazier version of their Fairy Nectar (which I was lucky enough to have a few years ago). </p>
<p id="7A6aCn">This double dry-hopped version of their mainstay IPA was brewed with an extra dosing of Citra and Mosaic hops and has a solid 6.2% ABV. It even won the silver medal back at the 2018 GABF, coming in second place out of the 391 entries in the Juicy/Hazy IPA category.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9PS2zov7X2CFiZfFWjIdMtmZDM0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25324417/fairy_nectar_ddh.jpg">
</figure>
<p id="F0qZeK">The beer poured a murky straw color with some hints of orange peeking out in the shade. Just about a finger of pure white head topped the beer but quickly faded down into a slight accumulation around the edge of the glass. The foam left almost no lacing on its way down and, outside of a few clouds in the middle, was almost completely gone within a minute. </p>
<p id="8J4RTS">It had an incredibly juicy aroma that was packed with tropical fruit characteristics. Lime, mango, and grapefruit led the way with some smaller notes of lemon, pineapple, melon, and tangerine following closely behind. The grist added that typical flaked wheat and oat quality, bringing a bit of cereal to the otherwise mega-juicy scent. I was a little shocked at just how much the lime stood out, adding an almost tart quality to the smell. </p>
<p id="hFVVn2">Each sip began with a thinner body and a rush of carbonation. It wasn’t nearly as pillowy or soft as most hazies and, instead, drank a bit lighter. After the carbonation had fizzled its way across my taste buds, the flavors began to crawl forward. </p>
<p id="v6ZDLl">It was led, once again, by the lime. There was a bit of tartness early on but quickly joining the party were the juicier notes of mango and grapefruit. Those second additions added a bunch more juice and eliminated that early sour twinge. </p>
<p id="l1xWPP">Around the midway point, some acidic pineapple joined the party and blended quite nicely with the lime and pithy grapefruit. As the sip progressed, the beer became a bit heavier…slowly that soft and pillowy quality began to appear more. But it never got too heavy and remained a quite light and crushable brew. </p>
<p id="4BAAPZ">Fairy Nectar ended quite cleanly as well. Some light grapefruit rind and a bit of sticky resin lingered on. And, after one final push from the green citrus fruit, so did a decent amount of tart lime juice, adding to the acidity of the brew. </p>
<p id="yI9VMB">My biggest takeaway was just how shockingly tart this beer was and how much the lime flavor really popped. I have never had a hazy showcase this much lime flavor or be this acidic and sour. It wasn’t a bad flavor, on the contrary, I enjoyed it for the most part. But it was a very interesting quality to find in a NEIPA.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XnuVzKg_aa7vfG0fGzAvasZOjX4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10086467/B_.jpg">
</figure>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/belts-beer-garden/2024/3/8/24094007/belts-beer-garden-crisskrosDave Drury2024-03-08T08:00:00-05:002024-03-08T08:00:00-05:00UMass hosts introductory press conference to initiate MAC membership
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FedapabSKA4sJdHR_rWGTnn5YvU=/148x0:1186x692/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73191184/Screen_Shot_2024_03_07_at_11.01.51_AM.0.png" />
<figcaption>From left to right: UMass football head coach Don Brown, chancellor Javier Reyes, MAC commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, UMass director of athletics Ryan Bamford, and men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin. | Courtesy: Massachusetts Athletics (YouTube)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>MAC commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher joins UMass AD Ryan Bamford and others to welcome the Minutemen to the league.</p> <p id="ecN8Xe">Thursday morning at University of Massachusetts called for a celebration.</p>
<p id="FakoPV">The band was brought out and fans flocked in to watch an initiation transpire. Umass officially joined the Mid-American Conference as a full-time member on Thursday, Feb. 29, effective for the 2025-26 academic year. One Thursday later, the university hosted an introductory press conference to publicly announce the decision.</p>
<p id="PBmlFS">Speakers at the press conference included UMass chancellor Javier Reyes, director of athletics Ryan Bamford, head football coach Don Brown, head men’s basketball coach Frank Martin, and MAC commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher.</p>
<p id="cDk4aR">“It’s an exciting day for this university. It’s an exciting day for the MAC,” Reyes said. “This is the outcome and result of work that happened over the years. Ryan, thank you. The amount of work you put into this university does not go unnoticed, how you have transformed our athletics programs across the board. This is one more step in the direction and the vision you have set for UMass.”</p>
<p id="pvxaS9">Reyes, the first speaker of the press conference, added an academic twist to the UMass’ decision to join the conference, citing its similarities to other research universities in the MAC.</p>
<p id="KddFiI">“The MAC is not only an athletics conference that we can join,” Reyes said. “We are joining a set of universities that are likeminded like UMass. Land-grant research universities, public universities like UMass that face the same realities, that face the same challenges, and address the same opportunities across the nation from an academic perspective and research perspective. It’s not only about athletics, but about our academic excellence.” </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="GBxMMM">
<h2 id="cMB95u"><strong>Why UMass wanted the MAC</strong></h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA FOOTBALL: OCT 04 UMass at Miami OH" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JlMgHXGZmVZjdr_quaN39_uDbus=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25324570/578954158.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Tim Zechar/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>UMass previously competed in the MAC from 2012 to 2015 as a football-only member.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="p9wevV">UMass’ athletic director Ryan Bamford cited two particular objectives for pursuing conference affiliation with the MAC — alignment and access.</p>
<p id="sWSkn7">“We want to be in a place where we thought we can grow and thrive as an athletics department to meet the next moment, to meet what’s ahead of us, and to think about the next 50 years for UMass athletics,” Bamford said.</p>
<p id="QPARjy">“Our decision to go into the Mid-American Conference meets those two objectives,” Bamford said. “Chancellor referenced it — the alignment of institutions, the public research nature of those institutions, but also the strategic priorities that those institutions and athletic departments have to use athletics as the front porch of the institution to drive excellence is also really unique, but also extremely aligned with where we are as an institution ourselves.”</p>
<p id="PqM5BD">Bamford later expanded upon the “access” objective, referencing UMass’ newfound access to compete for a conference championship in college football, a luxury the Minutemen haven’t enjoyed since 2015.</p>
<p id="KiU112">“Being an independent was really not a great long-term strategy,” Bamford said. “We’ve had young men in the locker room downstairs who haven’t had a chance to fight for a conference championship in eight years. That’s a hard thing to be with your student-athletes and not have that ability. I really felt like with the changes in the FBS model, the structure and what’s happening to the NCAA, this was a chance for us to bring a relatively young FBS football program, allow us to nurture it, grow it, invest further in it, and also bring along a portfolio of sports that have had a tremendous amount of success in the Atlantic 10 that I think will have transferrable success in the MAC.”</p>
<p id="ispCaN">One other appeal the MAC offered UMass was the comfort of stability. The addition of UMass was a rare one for the league. Of the 12 athletic programs in the MAC, 10 were apart of the conference in 1975 and all 12 were members in 1998 — a level of stability the Atlantic 10 didn’t quite offer the Minutemen in the non-football sports.</p>
<p id="8GQUQv">“The stability of knowing this league has not changed membership in the last 20 years and has not added a member in the last 25-plus years,” Bamford cited as a reason the MAC stood out over other realignment options. “This day and age, we’re watching all this change happen around us. Even in the Atlantic 10, since 2007, we’ve had nine members come or go, and that’s really challenging when you’re trying to build an identity and a brand, and I think this affords us that opportunity in spades.”</p>
<p id="Bftt0b">UMass previously saw a trial run in the MAC from 2012 to 2015 as a football-only member, but the Minutemen never metaphorically purchased the full subscription to the conference. During this brief period, UMass remained a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference in other sports and the athletic department’s unwillingness to become a full-time member caused the university and conference to sever ties in 2016.</p>
<p id="6vsEYn">While UMass retained its Atlantic 10 membership from 2016 to present-day for all other spots, the Minutemen became independent in football. Through eight years as an independent, UMass never qualified for a bowl game and peaked at a 4-8 record in 2017 and 2018. Part of the decision to join the MAC involves elevating the prestige of the football program, which can have a ripple effect through other athletic programs.</p>
<p id="rlPlPJ">Perhaps the most significant imprint UMass athletics has made was on the hardwood, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in seven consecutive years from 1992-98, complete with a Final Four appearance in 1996. Yet Frank Martin cited his time at Kansas State and how head coach Bill Snyder transforming the football program positively influenced the success of the Wildcats’ basketball team.</p>
<p id="xgCa1i">“Elevating football is gonna make it better for everybody,” Martin said. “That’s the vision. I’m not into the, ‘It’s a basketball school’ or ‘It’s a football school.’ We’re UMass, man. We’re gonna go out there and play whoever’s in front of us. Our job is to represent this university and represent the winning ways and culture that’s created by the leadership of this university to make sure that we do what we’re supposed to do.”</p>
<p id="u1YZvi">Besides the opportunity to compete for a conference championship on the gridiron, football head coach Don Brown explained how playing a consistent slate of conference opponents each year is beneficial to building a program, as opposed to stacking an independent schedule with 12 unrelated opponents.</p>
<p id="CMM1NU">“Scheme is a big part of college football,” Brown said. “It’s nice when you have some continuity and you’re playing eight, nine opponents a year, and you’re playing them virtually every year,” Brown said. “Then your preparation can take hold and it’s not like you’re starting from scratch... It’s just nice when you have eight opponents now. And we’re no stranger to the MAC. We’ve played two, three, four teams, and next year we’re playing five MAC opponents. It’s almost like we’re getting a transition year.”</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="bS3fCu">
<h2 id="sDTLvp"><strong>Why the MAC wanted UMass</strong></h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JUL 26 MAC Conference Media Day" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mekXxRw3t1_dhrcr1W3RW3pvOUk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25324569/824019972.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>MAC commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher confirmed talks of adding UMass began in late September, and he attended a football game last November.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="eP08gF">Conference realignment has seismically shifted the landscape of college athletics in the 2020s. But until last week, the MAC was one conference largely unaffected by this tectonic plate action. Although several football-only members including UCF and Temple enjoyed brief stays in the league in the 21st century, all 12 current full-time members have been apart of the MAC since 1998 — the year Buffalo was added.</p>
<p id="arpzsT">UMass is the first full-time member added in over a quarter of century, becoming the 13th institution in the conference.</p>
<p id="qjNFlP">“Given this is the first invitation we have provided since the late 1990s, it should be evident we don’t open our doors to just anyone,” Steinbrecher said. “Among our strengths is the homogeneity of our membership. The Mid-American Conference is an association of public national research institutions. The opportunity to add Massachusetts was simply too great to pass up. It is rare to be able to add a flagship university that is among the finest institutions in the country, along with an athletics program that is broad in its sports offerings and deep in tradition.”</p>
<p id="umjrMT">Of the nine full FBS conferences, the MAC is undeniably the most geographically convenient. The 12 current members each border one of the Great Lakes, and 75 percent of the conference is located in either Ohio or Michigan. Yet, UMass challenges the conference’s tight geography, separated by its closest neighbor Buffalo by roughly 380 miles — a drive spanning between 5.5 and 6 hours. Steinbrecher addressed UMass’ geographical influence on the league.</p>
<p id="2iC3Oe">“The addition of Massachusetts offered the unique chance to stretch our geography in a sensible manner and to a contiguous state, allowing the conference to maintain the tightest geographic footprint among the FBS conferences, while establishing a presence in the northeast,” Steinbrecher said.</p>
<p id="0XuITs">Although the MAC to UMass news didn’t publicly pick up steam until late February, the talks began in late September. Bamford took over as the Minutemen’s athletic director in March 2015, prior to the program’s last football season in the MAC. Thus, there was already familiarity between Bamford and Dr. Steinbrecher before UMass reunited with its old football conference.</p>
<p id="y4JSeY">“We’ve communicated over the years and communicated frequently,” Bamford said. “To have the ability to be in this league under his leadership, I want to thank him and I want to thank his staff and the MAC presidents and MAC athletic directors for their belief in us and the value that this institution brings to the Mid-American Conference.”</p>
<p id="CCmTgR">After the initial chatter, Steinbrecher discretely attended UMass’ 2023 homecoming football game on Nov. 4, wandering around campus and witnessing the Minutemen’s 31-21 victory over FCS program Merrimack.</p>
<p id="b0o4SW">True action was finally implemented two weeks ago when Steinbrecher convened with a council of MAC presidents to vote on UMass’ membership in the conference. The presidents voted unanimously in favor UMass, granting the New England based university membership as the conference’s 13th full-time athletic program.</p>
<p id="sUmkjB">“There are intangible benefits,” Reyes said. “Being able to play on a Wednesday night nationally, being able to have consistent business with specific areas of the country — that will allow us to fly the UMass flag in many places in ways that it will result in increasing our stature and reputation, increasing recruitment and enrollment. There are a lot of intangibles of having such a strong brand and growing such a strong brand nationally that elevates the stature of the university. Those are not measured in revenue. There’s a return on investment that happens because you’re seeing the UMass flag out there consistently in places that you didn't see it before.”</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2024/3/8/24093383/umass-hosts-introductory-press-conference-mac-membership-minutemen-bamford-steinbrecher-reyes-2024Steve Helwick2024-03-07T14:55:15-05:002024-03-07T14:55:15-05:002024 Mid-American Conference Baseball Week 3 Recap
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<img alt="Ball Baseball Diamond (Ball State Photo Services)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CNhaaohbQENhbJ2GBbSd-oc1GaI=/165x20:450x210/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73189905/Baseball_07.0.jpg" />
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<p>Akron beats a ranked Duke team, but the schedule was otherwise a gauntlet for MAC teams.</p> <p id="KiRwx5">The Week 3 schedule looked difficult before the week started and it did not disappoint. The conference combined to post a 13-27 record and six of the 13 wins were by one or two runs. The margins were tight for everyone, except Miami. </p>
<p id="MNnywM">There were bright spots like Ball State starting to look like Ball State, Kent State winning their weekend series, Miami sweeping Oakland and— the brightest of all— Akron taking a game from Duke. All of the games matter but the non-conference series are tune-ups for MAC play on the horizon. </p>
<p id="yeHZmJ">Who’s looking good before conference play? </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="c8sYpv">
<h3 id="bLU1KZ"><strong>Week 3 Non-Conference Standings</strong></h3>
<div id="rswUmL"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:28%">Team</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">Win</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">Loss</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">Runs For</th>
<th align="right" style="width:8%">Runs Ag.</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Ball State Cardinals
</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">58</td>
<td align="right">55</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Western Michigan Broncos
</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">92</td>
<td align="right">77</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Miami RedHawks
</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">87</td>
<td align="right">91</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Toledo Rockets
</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">39</td>
<td align="right">74</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Ohio Bobcats
</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">53</td>
<td align="right">61</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Akron Zips
</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">44</td>
<td align="right">78</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Eastern Michigan Eagles
</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">67</td>
<td align="right">62</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Kent State Golden Flashes
</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">55</td>
<td align="right">79</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Central Michigan Chippewas
</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td align="right">53</td>
<td align="right">113</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Northern Illinois Huskies
</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td align="right">73</td>
<td align="right">128</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Bowling Green Falcons
</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">56</td>
<td align="right">87</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p id="zvL3kf">Ball State bats took off this week, with the Cardinals winning three of their four games while averaging 7.50 runs. They had a seven-run inning in their midweek matchup that earned the win and a six-run seventh inning in Game 2 over the weekend. Maybe they still have some consistency issues to work out, but for now, the big inning is working. </p>
<p id="4gRpF9">Western Michigan held the top spot a week ago, but a weekend in South Carolina against major conference opponents knocked them out. Florida State is a good, undefeated team in the second-best conference in the nation. There isn’t any shame in taking a loss in that game, and there isn’t any in losing to Michigan State or Illinois either. The Big Ten teams already lost to MAC teams and Western didn’t exactly play them close. The First Pitch Invitational was a disappointing weekend for the Broncos. </p>
<p id="LmBOnn">Miami posted football scores in their sweep of Oakland and got their run differential back to even after a poor opening weekend against South Carolina. The RedHawks scored 46 runs in three games and their starting pitchers had the third-best ERA in the MAC. Maybe they’ve found their stride just in time for conference play.</p>
<p id="LjygU7">On the other side of things, Central Michigan and Kent State are on the wrong side of the table. Kent State won their weekend series but failed to split their midweek series with Troy, blowing a 10-4 lead in the second game. They got two quick outs in the bottom of the ninth, and had the Trojans down to their final strike twice. They ended up giving up four runs to lose. </p>
<p id="Iui5GN">Central Michigan got beat up by Oklahoma State in Stillwater. The offense only put five runs on the board in the three-game series and the pitchers found bats when they found the strikezone. The Chippewas and the Flashes play each other to open conference play this weekend, but it still might be a couple of weeks before we know if either (or both) are the MAC favorites they usually are. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="2NZ1uJ">
<h3 id="38vANV"><strong>Akron beats #12 Duke in Game 2</strong></h3>
<p id="6rm35Z">Before games started, the schedule for Week 3 was more difficult than in past weeks. The combined record was the worst of the three weeks so far, the lowest runs scored per game and the highest league ERA. </p>
<p id="zpkekT">Despite that, the obvious highlight was Akron’s win over #12 Duke on Saturday. The Zips gave the Blue Devils their first loss of the season and played well all weekend. Dawson Tourney started the second game, scattering six hits and two runs across four innings of work. He also struck out six Blue Devils and walked none. </p>
<p id="caJhg5">Sean Perkins took over on the bump in the fifth, gave up a hit and retired the next ten hitters. Perkins's five innings of relief was the key to this game for the Zips. His two-seam fastball was running all over the place and keeping hitters off balance.</p>
<p id="RUl88v">Designated hitter Max Bowman got the offense started with a leadoff single in the sixth. The Zips were down 2-1 and immediately started playing for a run. Sam Seeker dropped down a bunt with two strikes to move Bowman to second and a passed ball moved him to third. A walk to Andrew Horvath put runners on the corners and a sacrifice bunt tied the game. Nicky Sackett got the bunt down and Duke tried to cut down the runner at the plate but were late. Fisher Pyatt hit a double down the right-field line to score another run and take the lead. </p>
<p id="PuRPlX">The fourth and final run was scored on a Charlie Rhee sacrifice fly. After that, it was all up to Perkins and the defense and they delivered. The lead got razor-thin when Devin Obee hit a home run to lead off the bottom of the ninth for Duke, but three batters later, the game was over and Akron had their win over a ranked ACC opponent in the books. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ZYFIj3">
<h3 id="2G3Yg4"><strong>Quick Notes:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li id="DAdOQG">Akron has been on a solid upward trajectory since the program has come back. Last year they were a much better team than the previous season and it didn’t show up in the standings. This season the Zips could frustrate some teams.</li>
<li id="4WnWv7">Ball State looked like the MAC favorite finding ways to win this week. Their offense was explosive and the pitching was great for three of their four games. Merritt Beeker had a great debut for the Cardinals but has struggled as the day-three starter since. </li>
<li id="bcKy4R">Bowling Green ran into a buzzsaw named the Tennessee Volunteers this weekend. None of the games went a full nine innings. </li>
<li id="WN5a7a">Central Michigan also played a 2023 NCAA Tournament Regional host and got swept. CMU batters struggled and managed a max of four runs, they also struck out 18 times in that game. </li>
<li id="2cHjqa">Eastern Michigan took the opening contest against Houston Christian behind a near-complete game by Bobby Jones and then lost the three remaining games of the series. They were competitive, but Eastern kept giving their opponents chances and they paid the price.</li>
<li id="AG2QEC">Kent State probably should have swept their weekend series, but they couldn’t get the bats going in Game 3. Jacksonville State scored three runs in the first and that was too much for the Flashes.</li>
<li id="TUTdS9">Miami dominated their series with Oakland and the whole team contributed. The batters drove in at least eight runs in each game and when the starting pitching struggled, the bullpen picked up the slack. It is easier to pitch when there is a 14-run cushion.</li>
<li id="UWTjg7">Northern Illinois had a weird weekend. No pitcher escaped untouched in their first game, with catcher Colin Summerhill driving in all five runs. They lost their second-game on a bases-loaded hit by pitch in the bottom of the seventh in a contest where they walked 12 total Cincinnati hitters. They did, however, manage to win the third game of the series thanks in large part to Cooper Cohn hitting a three-run bomb. They lost their fourth game due to a lack of pitching.</li>
<li id="tUI9tu">Ohio needed a win in Game 3 to win the series with Illinois-Chicago but couldn’t buy a hit. They walked once and struck out once but had only seven hits to show for it. That’s a lot of balls in play.</li>
<li id="iFCVRV">Toledo’s offense struggled again against Southeast Missouri State. Their pitchers had an off weekend too which made matters worse. The offense did score ten runs in their game four win, but before that game, they were being outscored 8-31.</li>
<li id="bk5OWV">Western Michigan had a golden opportunity to beat Illinois but couldn’t get a runner home from third base with one out in the ninth of a tie game. Florida State and Michigan State were hit machines and the Broncos couldn’t keep up.</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ysSugw">
<h3 id="HVDD6u"><strong>Notable Performances</strong></h3>
<div id="WwWWzh"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th colspan="4" align="left">MAC Team of the Week</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">C</td>
<td align="left">Colin Summerhill</td>
<td align="left">Northern Illinois</td>
<td align="left">4-11, 4 Runs, 7 RBI, 3 HR, BB</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Corner IF</td>
<td align="left">Ryland Zaborowski</td>
<td align="left">Miami</td>
<td align="left">9-14, 8 Runs, 9 RBI, 2 2B, 3 HR, BB, Sac Fly</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Corner IF</td>
<td align="left">Ryan Novak</td>
<td align="left">Miami</td>
<td align="left">7-12, 5 Runs, 10 RBI, 3 2B, 3B, 2 BB, 2 HBP</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Mid IF</td>
<td align="left">Cory Taylor</td>
<td align="left">Eastern Michigan</td>
<td align="left">5-12, 2 Runs, 4 RBI, 2 3B, HR, 3 BB, 2 SB</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Mid IF</td>
<td align="left">Andre Demetral</td>
<td align="left">Northern Illinois</td>
<td align="left">5-14, 3 Runs, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 2 HBP, Sac Fly</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">OF</td>
<td align="left">Zach MacDonald</td>
<td align="left">Miami</td>
<td align="left">8-11, 9 Runs, 4 RBI, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 BB, HBP</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">OF</td>
<td align="left">Tim Orr</td>
<td align="left">Kent State</td>
<td align="left">7-12, 3 Runs, 6 RBI, 2B, 2 HR, BB, 2 SB, HBP</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">OF</td>
<td align="left">Josh Johnson</td>
<td align="left">Kent State</td>
<td align="left">8-17, 5 Runs, 8 RBI, 3 2B, HR, 6 BB, 5 SB, HBP, Sac Fly</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Extra Hitter</td>
<td align="left">Scott Mackiewicz</td>
<td align="left">Toledo</td>
<td align="left">4-10, 2 Runs, RBI, 2B, HR, 2 BB, SB</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">SP</td>
<td align="left">Bobby Jones</td>
<td align="left">Eastern Michigan</td>
<td align="left">Win, 6.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, ER, BB, 7 K, 2 HBP</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">SP</td>
<td align="left">Patrick Mastrian IV</td>
<td align="left">Miami</td>
<td align="left">Win, 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 3 HBP</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">SP</td>
<td align="left">Ty Brachbill</td>
<td align="left">Northern Illinois</td>
<td align="left">Win, 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K, 4 HBP</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">RP</td>
<td align="left">Sean Perkins</td>
<td align="left">Akron</td>
<td align="left">Win, 5 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 2 K</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">RP</td>
<td align="left">Josiah Ross</td>
<td align="left">Akron</td>
<td align="left">3 IP, H, BB, 5 K</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">RP</td>
<td align="left">Lucas Letsinger</td>
<td align="left">Ball State</td>
<td align="left">Win, Save, 2 App, 5.2 IP, 4 H, BB, 5 K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p id="xwj1oJ">Unsurprisingly, the Akron relief pitchers have found their way onto this list. Josiah Ross’s performance in game one gets overlooked due to the offense not being much of a factor, but three innings of shutout work against a ranked team is awesome, regardless of circumstance.</p>
<p id="dWI4XO">Sean Perkins is the hero of Game 2 and got the win. He protected a two-run lead for four of his five innings pitched. Akron might have a back end that MAC teams are not going to have any fun dealing with.</p>
<p id="YiBmGG">Ball State’s Lucas Letsinger appeared twice and rescued a game against Southern Indiana that was getting off the rails for a win. He also settled down a back-and-forth game against Jacksonville and got the save. Sometimes relief painting stat lines can be weird. The few hits can allow inherited runners to score on a different pitcher's stat line, but that’s not the case with Letsinger. He was clean all weekend.</p>
<p id="TL20SA">Miami’s offense showed up in a huge way and three hitters got their way onto the Team of the Week. Ryland Zaborowski, Ryan Novak and Zach MacDonald were all over the bases and drove in 23 combined runs. The only thing they didn’t do was steal bases, but going 24-37 with 12 extra-base hits makes stolen bases not necessary. MacDonald has been on this list twice in three weeks and is a bat that everyone in the MAC is going to get to know. </p>
<p id="yCCnTT">At this point, the catcher spot is Colin Summerhills until further notice. He hit another three home runs for a MAC-leading season total of seven. Seven home runs is good for fifth in the nation. He’s fifth in qualified hitters in wOBA and fourth in OPS in the MAC, which is insane for a catcher. Compared to the other catchers in the MAC, the next best in quality stats is Dom Kibler from Kent State with 12 plate appearances while catching. Greg Budig is having a great season as the starting catcher for Western Michigan but unfortunately for him, his slugging percentage is only 0.690 while catching. Summerhill’s is 1.161 and with seven home runs, he could go 0-21 and it would still be 0.692. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="PjFaFu">
<h3 id="MZSIPs"><strong>Week 4: Conference Games Start</strong></h3>
<p id="SUAIrW">Finally, conference play starts. I think the MAC is one of the earlier conferences to start their conference games, the Big Ten doesn’t start until March 22, but I’m excited for games that are going to mean something later in the year. </p>
<p id="h4X6Eu">Weather is always a factor in the early part of the MAC season, it is early March in the Midwest. It’s not uncommon to see some snow during these games. </p>
<p id="xl5BNK">With eleven teams in play, one is on a non-conference weekend and this week it’s Western Michigan. The Broncos head back to Greenville, South Carolina for the First Pitch Invitational II. They’ll play Michigan State again, VCU and Western Carolina before heading back to the mitten.</p>
<p id="RRkryV">The week is headlined by two critical matchups: Bowling Green at Miami and Central Michigan at Kent State. Bowling Green and Miami is a huge series for two teams looking to break into the postseason. Both will be in the mix and the opening series will put one team in front of the other. </p>
<p id="xkzGM0">Central Michigan and Kent State are both struggling and looking forward to conference play. Unfortunately, we might not be able to tell much if the series is as close as expected. There should be good, high-level baseball played in Kent, but no matter what happens, there are nine other series to play in the MAC schedule for both teams.</p>
<p id="pKYETG">The Toledo and Akron series feels like a toss-up. Toledo is traditionally better but they’ve struggled to score and their pitching has been either excellent or bad. Akron is improving without question but are they ready to make a big jump up the standings this season?</p>
<p id="SC7awr">Eastern Michigan at Ball State and NIU at Ohio have the home teams favored but baseball is weird. One big inning can flip a game and a series. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="EPXK2K">
<h3 id="3LtroQ"><strong>Series Scores:</strong></h3>
<div id="G0Se30"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left">Akron Zips</td>
<td align="center">0-6</td>
<td align="left"><b>#12 Duke Blue Devils</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-2</td>
<td align="left"><b>Akron Zips</b></td>
<td align="center">4-3</td>
<td align="left">#12 Duke Blue Devils</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-3</td>
<td align="left">Akron Zips</td>
<td align="center">2-7</td>
<td align="left"><b>#12 Duke Blue Devils</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td colspan="3" align="left">at Cincinnati (Tues), vs Toledo</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="cA9krG"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">2-27</td>
<td align="left"><b>Ball State Cardinals</b></td>
<td align="center">10-4</td>
<td align="left">Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left"><b>Ball State Cardinals</b></td>
<td align="center">9-2</td>
<td align="left">Jacksonville Dolphins</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-3</td>
<td align="left"><b>Ball State Cardinals</b></td>
<td align="center">10-9</td>
<td align="left">Jacksonville Dolphins</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-3</td>
<td align="left">Ball State Cardinals</td>
<td align="center">1-10</td>
<td align="left"><b>Jacksonville Dolphins</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td colspan="3" align="left">at Florida A&M (Tues, Wed), vs Eastern Michigan</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="sPb2TK"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left">Bowling Green Falcons</td>
<td align="center">1-11 F/8</td>
<td align="left"><b>#8 Tennessee Volunteers</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-2</td>
<td align="left">Bowling Green Falcons</td>
<td align="center">1-12 F/7</td>
<td align="left"><b>#8 Tennessee Volunteers</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-3</td>
<td align="left">Bowling Green Falcons</td>
<td align="center">6-16 F/7</td>
<td align="left"><b>#8 Tennessee Volunteers</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td colspan="3" align="left">at Miami</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="9lDgQ5"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left">Central Michigan Chippewas</td>
<td align="center">4-7</td>
<td align="left"><b>Oklahoma State Cowboys</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-2</td>
<td align="left">Central Michigan Chippewas</td>
<td align="center">1-8</td>
<td align="left"><b>Oklahoma State Cowboys</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-3</td>
<td align="left">Central Michigan Chippewas</td>
<td align="center">0-19</td>
<td align="left"><b>Oklahoma State Cowboys</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td colspan="3" align="left">at Oral Roberts (Tues, Wed), at Kent State</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="MUBIwW"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">2-29</td>
<td align="left"><b>Eastern Michigan Eagles</b></td>
<td align="center">14-4 F/7</td>
<td align="left">Houston Christian Huskies</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left">Eastern Michigan Eagles</td>
<td align="center">5-6 F/7</td>
<td align="left"><b>Houston Christian Huskies</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left">Eastern Michigan Eagles</td>
<td align="center">0-4 F/7</td>
<td align="left"><b>Houston Christian Huskies</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-2</td>
<td align="left">Eastern Michigan Eagles</td>
<td align="center">4-8</td>
<td align="left"><b>Houston Christian Huskies</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td colspan="3" align="left">at #9 Vanderbilt (Tues), vs Ball State</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="cHJYFm"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">2-27</td>
<td align="left">Kent State Golden Flashes</td>
<td align="center">2-6</td>
<td align="left"><b>Troy Trojans</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">2-28</td>
<td align="left">Kent State Golden Flashes</td>
<td align="center">11-12</td>
<td align="left"><b>Troy Trojans</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left"><b>Kent State Golden Flashes</b></td>
<td align="center">8-4</td>
<td align="left">Jacksonville State Gamecocks</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-2</td>
<td align="left"><b>Kent State Golden Flashes</b></td>
<td align="center">10-4</td>
<td align="left">Jacksonville State Gamecocks</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-3</td>
<td align="left">Kent State Golden Flashes</td>
<td align="center">2-5</td>
<td align="left">Jacksonville State Gamecocks</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td colspan="3" align="left">vs Tiffin (Tues), vs Central Michigan</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="BChOIG"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">2-27</td>
<td align="left">Wright State Raiders</td>
<td align="center">PPD</td>
<td align="left">Miami RedHawks</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left">Oakland Golden Grizzlies</td>
<td align="center">7-21</td>
<td align="left"><b>Miami RedHawks</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-2</td>
<td align="left">Oakland Golden Grizzlies</td>
<td align="center">6-8</td>
<td align="left"><b>Miami RedHawks</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-3</td>
<td align="left">Oakland Golden Grizzlies</td>
<td align="center">9-17</td>
<td align="left"><b>Miami RedHawks</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td colspan="3" align="left">at Wright State (Tues), vs Bowling Green</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="Ia9PQv"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">2-27</td>
<td align="left">Northern Illinois Huskies</td>
<td align="center">6-14</td>
<td align="left"><b>Iowa Hawkeyes</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left">Northern Illinois Huskies</td>
<td align="center">5-13</td>
<td align="left"><b>Cincinnati Bearcats</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left">Northern Illinois Huskies</td>
<td align="center">5-6 F/7</td>
<td align="left"><b>Cincinnati Bearcats</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-2</td>
<td align="left"><b>Northern Illinois Huskies</b></td>
<td align="center">6-4</td>
<td align="left">Cincinnati Bearcats</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-3</td>
<td align="left">Northern Illinois Huskies</td>
<td align="center">1-14 F/7</td>
<td align="left"><b>Cincinnati Bearcats</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td colspan="3" align="left">at Ohio</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="MK8H7m"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left"><b>University of Illinois-Chicago Flames</b></td>
<td align="center">5-0</td>
<td align="left">Ohio Bobcats</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-2</td>
<td align="left">University of Illinois-Chicago Flames</td>
<td align="center">2-3</td>
<td align="left"><b>Ohio Bobcats</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-3</td>
<td align="left"><b>University of Illinois-Chicago Flames</b></td>
<td align="center">7-3</td>
<td align="left">Ohio Bobcats</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td colspan="3" align="left">vs Youngstown State (Tues), vs Northern Illinois</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="WUJ7Fa"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left">Toledo Rockets</td>
<td align="center">5-6</td>
<td align="left"><b>SE Missouri State Redhawks</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-2</td>
<td align="left">Toledo Rockets</td>
<td align="center">0-12 F/7</td>
<td align="left"><b>SE Missouri State Redhawks</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-2</td>
<td align="left">Toledo Rockets</td>
<td align="center">3-13 F/7</td>
<td align="left"><b>SE Missouri State Redhawks</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-3</td>
<td align="left"><b>Toledo Rockets</b></td>
<td align="center">10-9</td>
<td align="left">SE Missouri State Redhawks</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td colspan="3" align="left">at Dayton (Wed), at Akron</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<div id="kuBSis"><table width="75" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left" style="width:15%">Date</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Away</th>
<th align="center" style="width:15%">Score</th>
<th align="left" style="width:35%">Home</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-1</td>
<td align="left">Western Michigan Broncos</td>
<td align="center">3-13 F/8</td>
<td align="left"><b>Michigan State Spartans</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-2</td>
<td align="left">Western Michigan Broncos</td>
<td align="center">6-8 F/10</td>
<td align="left"><b>Illinois Fighting Illini</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">3-3</td>
<td align="left">Western Michigan Broncos</td>
<td align="center">3-8</td>
<td align="left"><b>Florida State Seminoles</b></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'">
<td align="left">Next Opp.</td>
<td colspan="3" align="left">vs Presbyterian (Tues), vs Western Carolina, VCU, Michigan State </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
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https://www.hustlebelt.com/2024/3/7/24085626/2024-mid-american-conference-baseball-week-3-recap-scores-analysis-notable-performancesandrewpearson132024-03-05T11:55:13-05:002024-03-05T11:55:13-05:00MAC releases 2024 football schedule
<figure>
<img alt="MAC Football Championship - Ball State v Buffalo" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-WSlIZsKtHlLqmFukqRJxNiqNAw=/3x0:3498x2330/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73183846/1292179861.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Midweek MACtion returns with a 17-game slate, and the conference championship is set for December 7 in Detroit.</p> <p id="lJtWhm">Our anticipated slate of MACtion in 2024 is officially set.</p>
<p id="uHoG3D">On Tuesday morning, the Mid-American Conference became the final of the nine full FBS conferences to release its 2024 football schedule.</p>
<p id="J2zsce">This marks the first year of a division-less MAC since 1996. On Nov. 30, conference commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher revealed the league’s <a href="https://www.hustlebelt.com/2023/11/30/23982931/mid-american-conference-to-scrap-divisions-in-football-starting-in-2024">plan to scrap divisions in favor of a pod system</a>. In 2024, the MAC will operate with four separate pods, guaranteeing round-robin matchups between the teams of each pod:</p>
<ul>
<li id="kamEWU">Akron, Buffalo Kent State</li>
<li id="xcAAAt">Ball State, Miami (OH), Ohio</li>
<li id="aSyWxt">Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Toledo</li>
<li id="UhHhHe">Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan</li>
</ul>
<p id="62imjN">It is currently unknown how the pod system will sustain with the upcoming addition of UMass, <a href="https://www.hustlebelt.com/2024/2/29/24085209/umass-minutemen-formally-accepts-invitation-to-join-mid-american-conference-as-full-member">which joins for the 2025 football season</a>.</p>
<p id="bMHVjQ">Without pods, the 2024 MAC Championship Game at Ford Field will feature the two teams with the best conference record, as opposed to the traditional MAC East champion vs. MAC West champion format. The 2024 title game is set for Saturday, Dec. 7.</p>
<p id="zvuOU7">Additionally, we are treated to the return of midweek MACtion, where the conference takes center stage of the college football universe on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The 17 midweek games commence Tuesday, Nov. 5 and continue through Tuesday, Nov. 26 — covering the final four weeks of the regular season as usual. Midweek MACtion is typically broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and CBS Sports Network.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Os1wDG">
<div id="Qmn634"><div data-anthem-component="table:12270232"></div></div>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="tXONGK">
<h2 id="Fv5NMB"><strong>Midweek MACtion schedule</strong></h2>
<p id="WhwfTh"><strong>Week 11</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="7CDrBv">Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Miami (OH) at Ball State</li>
<li id="KUwBw2">Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Bowling Green at Central Michigan</li>
<li id="OBtQKo">Wednesday, Nov. 6 — Ohio at Kent State</li>
<li id="MmRAcJ">Wednesday, Nov. 6 — Northern Illinois at Western Michigan</li>
</ul>
<p id="fESQfb"><strong>Week 12</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="o4Mumf">Tuesday, Nov. 12 — Ball State at Buffalo</li>
<li id="MjiDuJ">Tuesday, Nov. 12 — Western Michigan at Bowling Green</li>
<li id="YTeKBk">Tuesday, Nov. 12 — Central Michigan at Toledo</li>
<li id="YGJAGo">Wednesday, Nov. 13 — Akron at Northern Illinois</li>
<li id="17nCZI">Wednesday, Nov. 13 — Eastern Michigan at Ohio</li>
<li id="X54LCH">Wednesday, Nov. 13 — Kent State at Miami (OH)</li>
</ul>
<p id="MoVDb6"><strong>Week 13</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="KJAAsD">Tuesday, Nov. 19 — Akron at Kent State</li>
<li id="ygyLqZ">Tuesday, Nov. 19 — Western Michigan at Central Michigan</li>
<li id="7Fd2hU">Tuesday, Nov. 19 — Northern Illinois at Miami (OH)</li>
<li id="oOtOKk">Wednesday, Nov. 20 — Buffalo at Eastern Michigan</li>
<li id="77Rjid">Wednesday, Nov. 20 — Ohio at Toledo</li>
</ul>
<p id="iNwsHf"><strong>Week 14</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="cnIIp7">Tuesday, Nov. 26 — Toledo at Akron</li>
<li id="KBw7Tl">Tuesday, Nov. 26 — Kent State at Buffalo</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="b4Kh4Z">
<h2 id="v8RpYT"><strong>MAC rivalry and trophy games</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li id="pO1AaF">Anniversary Award — Kent State at Bowling Green — Saturday, Oct. 19</li>
<li id="leY7Hv">Battle of the Bricks — Ohio at Miami (OH) — Saturday, Oct. 19</li>
<li id="h0Nx1I">Battle of I-75 — Bowling Green at Toledo — Saturday, Oct. 26</li>
<li id="bYTVEl">Bronze Stalk — Northern Illinois at Ball State — Saturday, Oct. 26</li>
<li id="uylXvB">Red Bird Rivalry — Ball State at Miami (OH) — Tuesday, Nov. 5</li>
<li id="SlmA74">Wagon Wheel — Akron at Kent State — Tuesday, Nov. 19</li>
<li id="AuDl4o">Battle for the Cannon — Western Michigan at Central Michigan — Tuesday, Nov. 19</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="iGeflr">
<h2 id="zBQ5My"><strong>Schedule notes and trivia</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li id="hYMF1O">The 2024 MAC Championship Game will be held at Ford Field in Detroit for the 21st consecutive year. For the first time since the event’s inception in 1997, the conference championship will not feature the MAC East champion vs. the MAC West champion. Instead, the two teams with the best conference records will partake in this neutral-site contest. Scheduled Saturday, Dec. 7, this is the fourth consecutive year the game will be played on Saturday.</li>
<li id="JG2Uxq">The MAC officially kicks off its season Thursday, Aug. 29 with three teams in action that night against FCS opponents. Bowling Green hosts Fordham, Buffalo hosts Lafayette, and Toledo hosts Duquesne. The MAC went a perfect 12-0 against FCS competition in 2023.</li>
<li id="fQEJsm">Midweek MACtion kicks off Tuesday, Nov. 5 with a two-game slate and continues for four weeks through Tuesday, Nov. 26. There are 17 midweek games on the docket this year. All 12 teams partake in Midweek MACtion during Week 12, with a three-game Tuesday slate and three-game Wednesday slate. Kent State is the only MAC team to play four midweek games in 2024.</li>
<li id="t0LCuz">Excluding Thursday of Week 1 and Midweek MACtion, every single MAC game transpires on a Saturday in 2024.</li>
<li id="MlfjHy">UMass does not join the MAC until the 2025 football season, but the Minutemen are a staple on the schedule. Five of UMass’ first six games are against MAC opponents — hosting Eastern Michigan for the opener before road trips to Toledo, Buffalo, Miami (OH), and Northern Illinois. The Minutemen played three non-conference games against MAC teams in both 2023 and 2022, as well as two in 2021. They ride an 8-game losing streak versus the conference, last claiming victory Sept. 28, 2019 over Akron.</li>
<li id="BbT8TE">No MAC team plays more than two home games in the non-conference slate. Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH), Northern Illinois, Ohio, and Toledo each have two home non-conference games. Akron, Ball State, Kent State, and Western Michigan host one FCS opponent and play the rest of their non-conference slates on the road.</li>
<li id="eE1fgZ">Miami (OH) is the only MAC team to have 12 FBS opponents on its regular season schedule. In their non-conference schedule, the RedHawks host Cincinnati and UMass, with visits scheduled to Northwestern and Notre Dame. The crosstown rivalry with Cincinnati is the fourth-most played FBS matchup with 127 meetings — only interrupted by COVID-19 and World War II in the last 100 years. The all-time series heading into this year’s matchup at Yager Stadium is 60-60-7, after Miami (OH) snapped a 16-game skid against the Bearcats on the road last fall.</li>
<li id="LHyjIU">Ball State has an atypical Week 1 bye. Last season, every college football team played Week 0 or Week 1. The Cardinals make their 2024 debut in Week 2 on Saturday, Sept. 7 against Missouri State of the FCS.</li>
<li id="hpaRXa">MAC play opens Week 4 with Northern Illinois hosting Buffalo and Central Michigan hosting Ball State.</li>
</ul>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2024/3/5/24090997/mac-releases-2024-football-schedule-maction-midweek-games-conference-championship-detroitSteve Helwick