Supporting their favorite team, Ball State University football fans eagerly prepared for Thursday night's season-opening contest. Cardinals fans started celebrating the new season hours before the opening kickoff, across the street from the stadium at Arby's Tailgate Town.
"We're always ready," said Ball State alumnus Mark Hood, 51. "It's game time. There are six home games this year, so there's six chances to come out and have a good time."
Tailgaters started arriving early, around 4:30 p.m., and they brought with them all the pre-game essentials. Hot dogs, corn-hole toss and beverages of choice were the most common sights, as good times were at a premium.
"I've never tailgated before, so this is a new thing," Ball State student Dan Nitsch said, "I'm a big fan of the game, so it's kind of like the total package for me. Hang out here with friends before the game, and then go to the game and have some fun."
Once the fans got into Scheumann Stadium, the enthusiasm continued to flow out of the Ball State student section. Though rain had drenched the grounds early in the day, there was no dampening the spirits of the Cardinals' faithful fans.
The crowd support reached a climax in the first half after freshman quarterback Nate Davis threw the first touchdown pass of his college career. The play was a halfback direct snap that was lateralled back across the field to a wide-open Davis, who proceeded to throw a 46-yard bomb to Louis Johnson for the score.
"I think the play worked pretty good," said Ball State senior Chris Hagerty of the trick play. "I think that using those kind of gadget plays are great, especially when they work for us like they did there."
Few things excite a home crowd like a well-designed gadget play, and the long touchdown was no exception. But Ball State student Lindsey McNeely said the entire night was great.
"The whole game excites me," McNeely said. "It's been a really good crowd. It's been really loud. I love [this atmosphere]."
While there was a strong fan showing of (attendance), Hagerty believes there is still room to improve. Though loud, the student side was only about 80 percent full.
"I think it could be better," Hagerty said. "I'd like to see us fill up the stands. I realize it's not good weather tonight, but we got to have some type of pride on campus."
And at the end of the day, that's what Thursday night was all about - building on-campus pride for Cardinal football.
"I think our football [team] is going to be good this year," Johnny Karch said. "I love the game, and I want to see us do well. The student section is always chirping, and if we could get the win tonight it would be perfect. It would make a lot of people late to their first class tomorrow."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
