Should MiQuale Lewis worry? He's Ball State's 5-6, 184-pound running back dealing with a brand-new offensive line.

Should Stan Parrish worry? He's Ball State's new head coach trying to maintain winning form after massive graduation losses (11 lost starters) from a 12-2 team and the most successful football season in school history.

Of course they should worry, although don't expect them to say that. There is too much work to do.

For Lewis, the former Snider standout, opportunity remains. He's a candidate for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's best running back. He's coming off a first-team All-Mid-American Conference season with a school-record 1,736 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. He gained at least 100 yards in 11 games.

That was with one of the nation's most experienced offensive lines. Losing four starters - including Dallas Cowboys third-round pick Robert Brewster - hurts, although there was good improvement last spring. Still, getting Lewis in the open field via the pass might be the way to go.

“MiQuale Lewis is an outstanding player who is versatile and who can help us in many ways,” Parrish said. “With that being said, we have to block so the backs can run. We have got to protect the quarterback so he can throw to the receivers and give us some options in the running game. The running backs and receivers should be the strength of our offense, but it all starts with that offensive line.”

For Parrish, the challenge is formidable. The Cardinals had one of the nation's best offenses behind record-setting quarterback Nate Davis, now with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. Now the quarterback will likely be Kelly Page, last year's backup. Tanner Justice and Aaron Mershman also are in the picture.

“We have to get that position taken care of right away,” Parrish said. “We will have an open competition. Kelly Page will have the chance to win the starting position. He has earned that right.

“Tanner Justin has been part of our program for a while. He's got to be a coach on the field and in the film room. He knows the system better than the other guys. Aaron Mershman is ready to go.

“We have to find out what they can do and what we have in our system that works for them.”

The defense could be a strength. Seven starters return, including defensive end Brandon Crawford, a former South Side standout. Doug Graber is the new defensive coordinator.

“We have a ways to go to be the defense we want to be,” Parrish said. “We are not very big up front, so we are going to have to play very sound. We lost some quality seniors, but we have to transition with our new players. We have to grow quickly.”

Graber is one of six new assistant coaches, plus a new strength and conditioning coach, as part of the transition in the wake of former coach Brady Hoke's move to San Diego State.

“We are going to be a very young team,” Parrish said, “but we want to be a very good young team.”