Brandon Crawford sat in the Atrium trying to steal time for a quick lunch between the classes and football practices that clutter his daily routine.
A Ball State University football fan had a different idea. The student walked up to Crawford to tell the defensive captain how much the football team's success meant to him.
"He said he really liked what we're doing," Crawford said. "He appreciates it because it's bringing notoriety to the university. It's helping put us on the map and get noticed."
The two talked for 10 minutes about the football season, which has reaped an 8-0 record and No. 17 ranking in the latest BCS standings. Then the fan was on his way and Crawford finished his meal.
Crawford said he didn't mind that the conversation slowed his lunch down. Those 10 minutes - and the many other pleasant words he's heard from fans this year - are priceless to him. It's the most meaningful reward he and his teammates have received this season.
"It sends chills up me because I remember a time when I would hear people talk about how much of a joke the football team is," Crawford said. "For them to go from saying that to saying, 'We appreciate it. Thank you guys for going out there and competing and giving a good game.' It's a great transition, and we appreciate it."
Crawford isn't the only player Ball State fans have showered with praise.
Senior left tackle Andre Ramsey's phone was filled with congratulatory voicemails and text messages after the Cardinals beat Navy on ESPN2 earlier this season. Offensive captain and starting center Dan Gerberry said he receives constant encouragement when he's at Wal-Mart or eating at a restaurant.
The students and community combined for an attendance of at least 20,000 for the last three home games. At Ball State's last game - Saturday, Oct. 25 against Eastern Michigan University -ยก- almost 21,000 people filled the stands for a noon kickoff. The same game conditions produced an attendance of less than 10,000 in a home game against Central Michigan University last season, which ended with a 58-38 loss.
Senior right tackle Robert Brewster said he isn't surprised there are more people on game days now than in past seasons.
"It comes along with winning," he said. "When you win, there's a lot of things you get. Fan support is one of them."
The way Ramsey sees it, he said, Ball State's 8-0 record and national ranking is the reward for the fans. The team's reward will come at the end of the season.
"We don't get a ring for being 16th," Ramsey said. "If we lose to Northern Illinois, we won't be in the top 25. We'll see at the end of the season what rank we are, and we can worry about it then. Right now we're so worried about Northern it doesn't matter what we're ranked, or if we're even ranked at all."
In actionBall State at Northern Illinois
Time: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Venue: Scheumann Stadium
Television: The game will air live on ESPN2 and will be rebroadcast on ESPN2 at 12:30 a.m. Thursday
BCS Standings1. Alabama2. Texas Tech 3. Penn State4. Texas5. Florida6. Oklahoma7. USC8. Utah9. Oklahoma St.10. Boise State11. Ohio State12. TCU13. Georgia14. Missouri15. BYU16. LSU17. Ball State18. Michigan St.19. UNC20. Georgia Tech21. California22. Florida State23. Maryland24. Northwestern25. W. Virginia
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