TOLEDO, OHIO - In years past, three points in a first half spelled defeat for Ball State University's football team.
Times have changed.
While the offense struggled against a University of Toledo scoring defense that ranks last in the Mid-American Conference, the Cardinals' defense provided one of the most dominating performances in school history. The defense pitched its first shutout in eight years, and the offense scored four touchdowns in the second half to spoil the Rockets' homecoming with a 31-0 win.
"It feels good to get a win here at Toledo because it's a tough place to play," coach Brady Hoke said in the raspy voice he's had after each game his team has played this season. "I think our kids, defensively, kept us in the game in the first half. In the second half, our offense got on track."
It's the first time since 1965 the Cardinals have begun a season 6-0. That record was good enough for Ball State to crack into this week's Associated Press Poll with a No. 25 ranking. The win also dropped Toledo's record in the Glass Bowl to 41-9 since 2000.
The Cardinals produced three three-and-outs and didn't allow the Rockets' offense to penetrate past their 46-yard line in the first half. Ball State held Toledo to 14 rushing yards on 19 carries and forced a season-high six punts in the game.
It was the first shutout the Cardinals' defense has produced since a 29-0 win against Connecticut in the 2000 season finale.
"They won the game for us," quarterback Nate Davis said of the defense. "I always think the defense can stop everybody. I have belief in my team."
The offense had averaged more than 41 points per game entering the contest. However, the Cardinals missed two field goals and punted twice in their last four possessions of the first half after scoring three points on their first series.
It was Ball State's lowest-scoring first half since being shut out in the opening 30 minutes at Central Michigan University in 2006, and offensive coordinator Stan Parrish made his displeasure known at halftime.
"Coach Parrish came in and started ripping us," Davis said. "We wasn't doing our job. The defense was doing their job, and we wasn't responding. We just kept on working. Coach Hoke said it was up to us, and we stepped up."
Parrish's stern message sparked Ball State's offense in the second half. The Cardinals scored touchdowns on their first two possessions, jumping out to a 17-point lead with 3:41 left in the third quarter.
"I knew, in time, the offense would come around and get back to their old self," fifth-year senior linebacker Bryant Haines said. "And they did, it just took them a little bit longer than usual. There was never a doubt in my mind that the offense would come out and do what they needed to do."
Freshman Cory Sykes recorded 90 rushing yards on seven carries, including a 57-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that provided the final score.
Lewis is tied for first in the country with 12 rushing touchdowns, and his 802 rushing yards on the season ranks fourth in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Lewis knew after the game his team's performance gave it the chance to crack the top 25, but he said none of the players are concerned with what happens in the national poll.
"We're not worried about those rankings," Lewis said. "We're trying to come in each game, win and go out. We want to be undefeated in the MAC. We're on a mission."
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