MUNCIE - Ball State will face its most severe shortcoming in personnel this season when it finishes its non-conference football schedule Saturday at Boston College.
Cardinals coach Brady Hoke was informed Sunday that 16 players will be suspended or recommended for suspension pending NCAA approval for obtaining free textbooks that they weren't entitled to have. The books were provided under terms of their scholarships.
When suspensions were originally announced on Sept. 2 for the violation of NCAA rules, five players were supposed to miss this week's game. Ball State's ongoing investigation of the book-loan program more than tripled that number.
"The expectations are still there for the players who are playing," Ball State coach Brady Hoke said. "The guys who are in there have to perform. They'll take that as a challenge and an accountability to this football team."
The group of 16 suspended players includes nine starters, five on defense and four on offense.
The position most affected is the defensive line, where all four starters - ends Cortlan Booker and Blair Kramer and tackles Tom Kellar and Temidayo Macarthy - are suspended. The Cardinals will play at Boston College with just five defensive linemen instead of the customary eight.
Also out of action on defense will be starting strong safety Erik Keys.
Four starters on offense will be out: tailback Charles Wynn, wide receiver Bryan Williamson, right guard Bryan Smith and fullback Brad Salyer.
Key backups Larry Bostic at tailback and receiver, Amara Koroma at defensive end and Donta Smith at linebacker also will miss the game.
Ball State has played without several players - some have missed multiple games - in every contest this season.
Booker is the only player at this point who must sit out Ball State's game on Oct. 8 at Western Michigan. But because the investigation is continuing, others could be included.
The Cardinals are 0-3 and coming off an open date last weekend. They have been outscored 122-3 in two non-conference games.
Hoke said the suspensions have disrupted the team's preparation for games.
"The only thing I'll say is there is a distraction," Hoke said. "Whether it carries over to the field, I don't know, but we're playing 10 true freshmen, (some of whom) probably wouldn't be playing if this situation hadn't happened."
This week's opponent, Boston College, is 3-1 after winning 16-13 in overtime Saturday at Clemson for its first victory as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Eagles moved into The Associated Press national rankings at No. 21 this week.
"They will by far be the best football team we've played this year," said Hoke, whose team lost 56-0 at Iowa and 63-3 at Auburn.
Contact sports writer Doug Zaleski at 213-5813.
16 players suspended
Ball State suspended 16 players for Saturday's football game at Boston College for their roles in obtaining free textbooks that they weren't entitled to have:
Starters
Cortlan Booker (DE), Tom Kellar (DT), Erik Keys (SS), Blair Kramer (DE), Temidayo Macarthy (DT), Brad Salyer (FB), Bryan Smith (OG), Bryan Williamson (WR), Charles Wynn (TB)
Backups
Larry Bostic (RB/WR), Eddie Burk (S), Amara Koroma (DE), Ryan McKee (OG), Lavell Mosley (CB), Todd Racine (TE), Donta Smith (MLB)
Cardinals coach Brady Hoke was informed Sunday that 16 players will be suspended or recommended for suspension pending NCAA approval for obtaining free textbooks that they weren't entitled to have. The books were provided under terms of their scholarships.
When suspensions were originally announced on Sept. 2 for the violation of NCAA rules, five players were supposed to miss this week's game. Ball State's ongoing investigation of the book-loan program more than tripled that number.
"The expectations are still there for the players who are playing," Ball State coach Brady Hoke said. "The guys who are in there have to perform. They'll take that as a challenge and an accountability to this football team."
The group of 16 suspended players includes nine starters, five on defense and four on offense.
The position most affected is the defensive line, where all four starters - ends Cortlan Booker and Blair Kramer and tackles Tom Kellar and Temidayo Macarthy - are suspended. The Cardinals will play at Boston College with just five defensive linemen instead of the customary eight.
Also out of action on defense will be starting strong safety Erik Keys.
Four starters on offense will be out: tailback Charles Wynn, wide receiver Bryan Williamson, right guard Bryan Smith and fullback Brad Salyer.
Key backups Larry Bostic at tailback and receiver, Amara Koroma at defensive end and Donta Smith at linebacker also will miss the game.
Ball State has played without several players - some have missed multiple games - in every contest this season.
Booker is the only player at this point who must sit out Ball State's game on Oct. 8 at Western Michigan. But because the investigation is continuing, others could be included.
The Cardinals are 0-3 and coming off an open date last weekend. They have been outscored 122-3 in two non-conference games.
Hoke said the suspensions have disrupted the team's preparation for games.
"The only thing I'll say is there is a distraction," Hoke said. "Whether it carries over to the field, I don't know, but we're playing 10 true freshmen, (some of whom) probably wouldn't be playing if this situation hadn't happened."
This week's opponent, Boston College, is 3-1 after winning 16-13 in overtime Saturday at Clemson for its first victory as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Eagles moved into The Associated Press national rankings at No. 21 this week.
"They will by far be the best football team we've played this year," said Hoke, whose team lost 56-0 at Iowa and 63-3 at Auburn.
Contact sports writer Doug Zaleski at 213-5813.
16 players suspended
Ball State suspended 16 players for Saturday's football game at Boston College for their roles in obtaining free textbooks that they weren't entitled to have:
Starters
Cortlan Booker (DE), Tom Kellar (DT), Erik Keys (SS), Blair Kramer (DE), Temidayo Macarthy (DT), Brad Salyer (FB), Bryan Smith (OG), Bryan Williamson (WR), Charles Wynn (TB)
Backups
Larry Bostic (RB/WR), Eddie Burk (S), Amara Koroma (DE), Ryan McKee (OG), Lavell Mosley (CB), Todd Racine (TE), Donta Smith (MLB)
