After observing Ball State University's football team for three hours on the opposing sideline, Kent State University coach Doug Jones became a quick believer in the Cardinals.
Jones said it didn't matter that Central Michigan University is the two-time defending Mid-American Conference champion. After suffering a 41-20 loss to Ball State on Saturday, the Golden Flashes coach was ready to dub the Cardinals this year's favorite to win the MAC title.
"We played a really good football team," Jones said. "I mean, Ball State's a really well-coached, excellent team. They've got a lot of weapons, particularly on offense, but also on defense, too. They are definitely the team to beat right now in my opinion."
The Cardinals' victory pushed their record to 5-0, the first time since 1988 they have opened a season with five wins.
Running back MiQuale Lewis rushed for 116 yards on 23 carries, an average of five yards per rush. The redshirt sophomore increased his season total to 645 rushing yards, which ranks fifth in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He also ran for three touchdowns and is tied for third in the nation with 10 on the season.
It was the fourth-straight game Lewis has surpassed 100 yards rushing, and he has seven touchdowns in his last two contests.
"I give all the praise to the offensive line," Lewis said. "Down on the goal line, they establish the line of scrimmage. They play on the [defense's] side of the ball. So it's easy for the backs to just punch it in."
Playing without its leading receiver, Dante Love, seven Ball State receivers caught a ball from quarterback Nate Davis. The junior quarterback completed 23 out of 35 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Briggs Orsbon led all receivers with 10 catches and 112 yards.
Jones said Davis and the Cardinals' defense - the second-best scoring defense in the MAC with 20.2 points per game - are the two reasons he can't see any team in the West Division keeping Ball State out of the MAC Championship Game. Perhaps more important than the football aspect, Jones said, is the Cardinals' ability to keep their focus in adverse situations, such as losing Love for the season.
"Things like that usually bring a team closer together," Jones said. "You can tell, they're tight-knit group. I think Brady has done a great job of flexing his own personality in that team. There doesn't look like there's any egos, and they've got a lot of stars. But it doesn't look like anybody begs for the ball. They just want to score points and win games."
The Cardinals have trailed twice this season - the largest deficit being three points at Indiana University - and have regained the lead both times on the next possession. They have also led at the end of every quarter.
Ball State is listed No. 29 in the Associated Press Poll this week after receiving 38 votes.
Regardless, Hoke said he's not ready view his team as the conference favorites.
"Believe me, I don't try to talk this way," Hoke said in a raspy voice from screaming on the sideline. "My voice doesn't get like this because I think we're playing well. ... There's so much improvement we need."
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