The first time Ball State lost two games in a row this season,the Cardinals came home and put together a convincing 27-14 winover Central Michigan.
Now they must go on the road to Ypsilanti, Mich., to end theircurrent skid. Ball State (4-6, 3-3 Mid-American Conference) facesan Eastern Michigan team (2-8, 1-5) that just won its first game,19-13 against Central Florida, since the season opener.
"Any time you win, it's good," head coach Brady Hoke said. "I'msure they have more confidence because of that. It's hard to saywhat their mindset is, but I'd think they'd be more confident aboutwhere they are once you get a victory."
It was EMU's first game with interim coach Al Lavan at the helmafter Jeff Woodruff was relieved of his duties on Nov. 3.
Although Eastern is still just stepping on the ladder out of thecellar, Hoke sees improvement in the Eagles, both from last yearand during the year.
"I thought before this week, looking at them every week, theywere a much-improved team," he said. "Talking with (assistants) Ted(Huber) and Brent (Baldwin), who have been in this league, theythought they were much improved from a year ago on both sides ofthe ball."
EMU's sharpest contrast from last year is on defense. In 2002,the Eagles placed last in the nation in yards (520) and points (47)allowed per game. With new coordinator Tim Rose at the helm, thosefigures are down to 403 and 32, respectively. Central Floridagained just 181 yards on Eastern.
Offensively, sophomore Anthony Sherrill has emerged as one ofthe top running backs in the MAC. He leads the team in both rushing(1,131 yards and six touchdowns) and receiving (40 catches for 293yards).
"Anthony got hurt last year, but he's really grown and improvedeach ballgame," Lavan said. "He's a very good vision runner. He'saverage size, but (with) his foot quickness and balance, if you cangive him a little daylight, he can really be an upper-level back,which is what he's proven to be for us."
According to Hoke, Eastern has favored spread formations tocreate room for Sherrill, but against Central Florida it lined upthree tight ends numerous times.
"They were bound and determined (to run)," Hoke said. "They gotin 43 carries and 155 yards. He's a good running back."
Lavan elected to play true freshman Ken Bohnet at quarterbacklast week, and Bohnet responded with a serviceable 116 yards on8-of-17 passing.
"Considering the limited progress he'd made and where we wereand the type of performance we were getting from the quarterbackposition, it was time to go in another direction," Lavan said.
"He's going to have some growing pains," he said, "but thebattle has started, so you've got to grow up fast."
Ball State quarterback Talmadge Hill will likely get thestarting nod after passing for 255 yards and rushing for 51 againstWestern Michigan. In the rushing attack, Hoke said he wants to seemore improvement from the tailback shuttle system of Scott Blair(481 yards), Charles Wynn (329 yards) and Brad Seiss (142yards).
"I think we've done a better job of running the ball," Hokesaid, "and that improvement has come up front. I think the fiveguys up front are starting to take a lot of pride, and they'redoing a much better job of blocking at the point of attack.
"We've got to get more from our backs. We're in a position tomake one guy miss and have a 5-yard run instead of a 20-yard run,or run over a guy. We're not getting that done enough."
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