The air around the Fisher Football Training Complex was a bit fresher Monday as Ball State University returned to practice.
Ball State defeated Eastern Michigan University 29-27 last Saturday to leave the winless ranks behind.
"The albatross that hangs around your neck is always there when you're coaching, but it's better," Parrish said. "We've been lifting weights since last January with no rewards. Winning goes a long way."
The Cardinals tried to find a good balance between reveling in their first victory of the season and focusing on Saturday's game against Ohio University.
"I put it behind myself after the game," running back MiQuale Lewis said. "Just got to stay humble."
But Lewis was clearly still excited about his record-setting day in Ypsilanti, Mich. The senior ran for a school-record 301 yards, surprising even himself.
"I never saw it coming in my life," Lewis said. "I saw [former Northern Illinois University running back] Garret Wolfe when he had 353 here. I don't know if I could ever accomplish that."
The win ended Ball State's nine-game losing streak, the second longest in school history. After the game, Lewis said it felt like the Cardinals won the Super Bowl. Parrish, who won the 2003 Super Bowl with Tampa Bay, did little to disagree with that comment.
"I've been in a Super Bowl locker room, I've been in a National Championship locker room, I've been in a conference title locker room and this one may have been happier than all of them," Parrish said.
Captain Brandon Crawford said he just tried to enjoy the celebration Saturday.
"I just sat in the locker room before I took my equipment off," the senior said. "I just sat and looked at everybody. All the young guys, all the work they put in, a lot of these got their first college win."
Despite the win, the Cardinals have a "laundry list" of things to improve before Saturday's game against the Bobcats.
"We have a lot of areas to get cleaned up this week, which is the good part," Parrish said. "I think the kids will do it with a lot of vim and vigor."
Ball State is expected receive a boost this week with the return of running back Eric Williams. The freshman strained his knee in the first quarter last Saturday and did not return to the game. The injury did not require an MRI and Williams will practice this week.
Read More
Cardinals elect a new pope, the first American pope in history
By Staff Reports / 8 hours agoCardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church, according to the Associated Press (AP).
'A blue-collar team:' Ball State run rules Akron in opening game of MAC Softball Championship
By Zach Carter / YesterdayNo. 4 Ball State topped No. 5 Akron 9-1 in the Cardinals' first game of the Mid-American Conference Softball Championship Wednesday afternoon.
9-1-1 What's Your Hot Take E8: Season 4 Recap
By Willow Emig and Sam Jasionowski / YesterdayIn this episode of 9-1-1 What’s Your Hot Take, Sam and Willow discuss the events of season 4 of 9-1-1.
