Ball State Football Holds Media Day

CLICK ON VIDEO TAB TO SEE WANE'S EXTENDED INTERVIEWS WITH HEAD COACH PETE LEMBO, RB BARRINGTON SCOTT (CLIP 2), QB KEITH WENNING (CLIP 3) AND OT AUSTIN HOLTZ (CLIP 4).

MUNCIE, IN. - The Ball State football program officially ushered in the 2012 season with its annual media day and fan fest on Saturday afternoon. Players and coaches were on hand to speak with reporters and interact with fans.

The Cardinals are coming off a 6-6 campaign in year one of the Pete Lembo era - but the prospects of improving on that mark will be difficult. Ball State has the toughest schedule in the MAC this season and can lay claim to having one of the tougher ones in the nation. In addition to playing three BCS conference opponents, the Cardinals will play seven of their 12 games this fall on the road.

Despite that fact - Ball State may have the personnel to withstand such a brutal schedule. It all begins up front, where the Cardinals offensive line collectively boasts more starts than any other unit in the nation. That group will protect promising junior quarterback Keith Wenning who threw for nearly 2,800 yards and 19 touchdowns last year.

There's bigger question marks at the skill positions however. Junior running back Barrington Scott returns after missing seven games with a broken leg last season. The Cardinals also lacked an explosive downfield receiver last season - something Lembo and Wenning both referenced with members of the media.

Ball State opens its season at home on August 30th when they host Eastern Michigan.