Memorial Stadium won't be the only place where Ball State University and Indiana University take the gridiron to continue an in-state rivalry Saturday.
Ball State Turf Field will also play host to a matchup between the Cardinals and Hoosiers when the field hockey team takes the field.
The meeting will be the 17th between the two teams, making the tradition deeper than the two schools' football history. Indiana holds a 13-3 advantage in the series.
"We play them every year, so we know them very well," coach Annette Payne said. "It's going to be a good matchup."
Ball State enters the game on a five-game losing streak and an overall record of 1-6. Saturday's game will be the Cardinals' last tune-up before entering the Mid-American Conference schedule, which begins Sept. 28, at Missouri State University.
"I want the team to feel good [before MAC play]," Payne said. "I want them be confident and play hard."
The Cardinals might have to dig deeper in their tanks Saturday as they end a nine-day stretch where they faced four games. The stretch is the most compact part of Ball State's schedule and includes three Big Ten teams, all of whom are receiving votes in the coaches' poll.
"We're going to take it light here," Payne said. "It's definitely a situation where we're getting a little bit tired."
The Hoosiers are also in a difficult portion of their schedule. Saturday's game will be their fourth in eight days, all on the road. Indiana is 1-2 on the trip, losing to MAC opponent Ohio University and No. 1 Wake Forest University before defeating the University of the Pacific 4-3 in overtime Thursday. Payne said she still expects the 4-3 Hoosiers to be a difficult team.
"They will have good possession," Payne said. "They're very good at working the ball in the middle and on the outside."
Junior midfielder Meg O'Connell leads the Hoosier attack with five goals and 21 shots this season. Goalkeeper Alex Mann was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 8, after recording her first career shutout against St. Louis University. Mann has 20 saves this season and has a goals-against average of 1.71.
Ball State is looking to regroup after its 5-0 loss at Ohio State University on Wednesday. The team was outshot 20-1, and the Buckeyes held a 16-1 advantage on penalty corners.
"We're young," Payne said. "They are growing and learning a lot. The team is committed to the process."
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