CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Ball State preview

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Ball State Cardinals

Losing streak at 17 and counting

College Football: The New Century

'99: 0-11, 0-8 MAC

Coach

Bill Lynch (sixth season, 21-35; 57-43-3 overall)

Key offensive players

Brian Conn, QB, Jr.
Completed 62.8 percent of his passes in the last five games of 1999.

Nick Dunbar, TB, So.
Started the final seven games in 1999 and led the team in rushing with 590 yards and four touchdowns.

Aaron Johnson, OT, Sr.
He has started 32 of 33 games in his career.

Key defensive players

Shaka Johnson, LB, Jr.
Second on the squad with 98 tackles in 1999.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Brad Maynard, P, 1993-96
"Biggest defensive weapon for '96 MAC champs. He averaged 46.5 yards per punt."

Brightest Moment: The Cardinals finished 7-3-2 in 1989, won the MAC championship and made it to their first Division I-A bowl game, the California Raisin Bowl, where they lost 27-6 to Fresno State.

Lowest Moment: The current winless streak is an embarrassment to the program, which spent most of the '90s in contention for the conference crown.

Jade Winchell, S, So.
Tied for the team high with four pass breakups and was third on the team with 91 tackles.

Key newcomer

Kenny Sanders, QB, Fr.
He completed 535-of-918 passes for 7,808 yards and 61 touchdowns during prep his career in Indianapolis.

Throwback player

Aaron Johnson, a senior offensive tackle, has started 32 of 33 games during his career.

21st century player

Nick Dunbar started the last seven games of 1999 at tailback and led the team in rushing with 590 yards.

Fast fact

The Cardinals were outscored 361-157 during their winless 1999 campaign.

Outlook

After going 0-11 last year and 1-10 in 1998, progress will be measured in small steps this season. A trip to Florida is not a good way to start the process. The Cardinals will have a tough time avoiding the West Division cellar this season, but a more favorable schedule could help them win at least two or three games and be competitive in some others. For sure, Lynch's job is on the line.

--Stan Crawley