Line struggles: After not allowing a sack last week to the University of North Texas, Ball State University gave up five in Saturday's 23-16 loss to the University of New Hampshire.
Quarterback Kelly Page was on the run much of the night and when he did have time, the Wildcats secondary often had the Cardinals wide receivers covered. Page did not complete a pass to a wide receiver until the third quarter.
"The line went backwards probably," coach Stan Parrish said. "I thought they would play a lot better tonight."
The line cleared the way for only 13 total rushing yards, the lowest total for Ball State since 2006 when the Cardinals rushed for nine yards against Western Michigan University.
At one point in the third quarter, Page was chased out of the pocket by New Hampshire and was forced to throw the ball away. Page's momentum kept him going and he had to hop the fence that separates the sideline from the stands.
Replacing Grant: With tight end Madaris Grant out for the year with a torn ACL, Parrish knew he would have to get creative to replace him.
Freshman Zane Fakes started the game and made his first catch for six yards in the fourth quarter. Fakes was a running back in high school, but is being converted to H-back this year. Wide receiver Dan Ifft also took snaps at tight end.
Grant is also a captain and still went to midfield for the coin toss. He and defensive end Brandon Crawford were joined by running back MiQuale Lewis.
Eddins breakout: Slated to be the breakout player of the year for the Cardinals by Parrish, defensive end Robert Eddins had a big game against New Hampshire.
The junior blocked a punt, had two sacks and recorded seven tackles. He also had 2 1/2 tackles for a loss. Eddins leads the team with four tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. His 17 tackles rank second.
Upset alert: New Hampshire will look to extend their now five-game winning streak against Football Bowl Subdivision teams next year at the University of Pittsburgh. The Wildcats also have already announced games against the University of Minnesota in 2012 and Boston College in 2014. With their past history against the FBS and big paychecks for the games, New Hampshire will likely try and find opponents for 2011 and 2013.
Big boot: Junior Ian McGarvey kicked a career-long 48-yard field goal in the first quarter Saturday. The kick ranks fifth all-time for the Cardinals. McGarvey would add two more field goals during the game, making it the fifth time in Ball State history a kicker connected on three field goals in one game. McGarvey also performed the feat against Rutgers University in the 2008 International Bowl.
Former kicker John Diettrich holds the record with five field goals against Indiana State University in 1985.
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