When analyzing why No. 25 Ball State is a perfect 6-0, the easiest answer is junior quarterback Nate Davis.

Davis threw for a school record 3,667 yards and 30 touchdowns last season and already has racked up 1,662 yards and 11 scores this year.

But perhaps equally important are the contributions of Davis’ 5-foot-6 backfield mate, junior halfback MiQuale Lewis.

Lewis has rushed for a whopping 802 yards and 12 scores this season. Because of that, Ball State is balanced and extremely potent on offense.

“The difference for them this year is MiQuale Lewis,” WKU coach David Elson said. “He’s a great back, and they’re obviously blocking well for him, but he’s also making people miss.”

WKU found itself in a similar situation at the end of last season against North Texas and its pass-happy attack. But the difference that day didn’t come through the air. Senior Jamario Thomas ran over, through and around the Hilltoppers for 147 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-26 Mean Green win.

The Cardinals should be even more daunting. That North Texas group was ranked toward the bottom of the Football Bowl Subdivision last year, while Ball State is a legit Top 25 team.

“We’ve got to always be mindful not to make the mistake of starting with the pass in our defense – we’ve got to always start with the run,” Elson said. “And after watching film, you don’t have any problems keeping that priority because (Lewis) is the real deal.

“We’ve got to be balanced … (Ball State) has some tendencies, but they execute well and so we have to execute well.”

For WKU on Saturday, perhaps the biggest focal point might be Lewis, one of the shortest players on the field.

“We’re sticking to our basics and not doing anything special and playing with our technique,” senior defensive end Jon Belcher said. “We need to do that, and then play hard like we always do – and hopefully we’ll be fine.”

K.J. Black update

Recently departed WKU quarterback K.J. Black said Thursday that reports suggesting he’s transferring to Eastern Kentucky are little more than speculation at this point.

“I’d say it’s more of a rumor than anything,” Black said by telephone. “I’ve sent some of my stuff there but I haven’t talked to anyone from there yet.”

Black said he’s sent highlight tapes to several schools – though he wouldn’t specify which – and has yet to hear back from any of them.

He said he currently has no plans to visit other schools any time soon. Black is still enrolled at WKU and plans to attend classes until the end of the semester in December.

Getting healthier

Elson said he has hopes many of the Hilltoppers who were inactive last week against Virginia Tech will return Saturday for Ball State.

Sophomore wide receiver Quinterrance Cooper (foot/ankle) has had a full week of practice and should be ready to play after missing last week. The same goes for senior inside linebacker Alonzo Higgins (ankle/knee), who wasn’t as active as Cooper this week but is still expected to see time this weekend. Also returning will be freshman offensive guard Shelley Anthony.

Senior defensive tackle Terald Clark remains out with a broken bone in his leg, as does junior cornerback Rashad Etheridge (dislocated shoulder).