DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Two things seem certain about tonight's season opener at Ball State's renovated Scheumann Stadium.

There will be lots of passes. And most of them will be on target.

Two of the top returning quarterbacks in the Mid-American Conference will be pitted against each other in Miami senior Mike Kokal, who was second in the MAC in total offense a year ago, and BSU sophomore Nate Davis, the MAC leader in pass efficiency.

"They have a very explosive offense with one of the top, if not the top, returning quarterbacks in the Mid-American Conference," Miami coach Shane Montgomery said. "It's a very formidable passing game."

Davis passed for 1,975 yards and 18 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2006 despite starting only seven games, and Davis has his top two receivers back in wideout Dante Love and tight end Darius Hill.

BSU coach Brady Hoke said Davis has the potential to become an even better downfield passer.

"He's been blessed with a very strong arm," Hoke said. "His vision and what he sees is better, and his pre-snap reads and knowing where the weaknesses of a defense may lie are better."

Ball State's running game wasn't much better than Miami's last season. The Cardinals averaged just 3.0 yards per rush (compared to Miami's 2.7), though sophomore starter MiQuale Lewis showed promise as a backup in 2006.

Defense has been a problem area for the Cardinals. Last year they ranked last in the MAC in total defense, last in pass defense and 10th in run defense.

"Defensively, they feel like they need to improve a lot," Montgomery said. "I know that's something they've worked on during the offseason."

The Cardinals finished the 2006 season with a flourish, winning three of their last four, including two on the road (Miami and Toledo). They nearly pulled off the upset of the year at Michigan, where the Wolverines survived 34-26 on Nov. 4.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197

or pconrad@coxohio.com.