The mental toughness of the young Ball State University football faced its biggest test of the season Saturday.
Ball State took a one-point lead against the University of Toledo with a gutsy two-point conversion on the Statue of Liberty play. All that separated the Cardinals from their first victory of the season was 42 seconds.
But, Ball State was unable to close the door. With 27 seconds left in the game, quarterback Aaron Opelt threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Stephen Williams to give Toledo a 37-30 victory.
The Cardinals lack the mentality necessary to finish off a good team like the Rockets, coach Stan Parrish said.
"It's a confidence problem," he said. "We can't be afraid of that moment. We have to embrace it."
Captain Brandon Crawford said it is time for Ball State to get over the hump.
"There are no moral victories," the defensive end said. "We've got to get the job done. We've got to tighten down and learn how to win."
Not since 1999 have the Cardinals started the year 0-5, and it is the third time in program history the team has been winless so late in the season. The previous two times it happened, Ball State finished the season without a victory.
The Cardinals have lost seven-straight, dating back to last year's Mid-American Conference Championship Game. It ties the Cardinals' longest losing streak since the team lost 21 in a row from 1998-2000.
Parrish said he feels the pressure to win and has to be on top of his game every day. That lesson was reinforced Sunday when Parrish saw an interview given by Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
"The pressure is what you make it," Parrish said. "I have to bring my A-game every week. I have to keep these guys going and hopefully get it turned around."
Parrish and Tomlin worked together from 2002-2003 when they were with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tomlin is trying to help the defending Super Bowl champions met expectations the season after a slow start - much like Parrish and Ball State.
Crawford said the Cardinals are still united as a team.
"Each week the coaches point out what they think is wrong, and we've been attacking that," he said.
Ball State now must do its best to put past results behind them and focus on the remainder of the season.
"You've got to put the present ahead of what's in the past," Parrish said. "You can only control what's in the future. It's very difficult to do that, but you've got to do it."
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