The last time Ball State ventured out of Muncie, it drove five hours north and defeated Central Michigan, the reigning Mid-American Conference champions.
It was hailed the Cardinals' biggest victory since 2008 and a sign they could contend for this year's MAC West title. Two winnable home games loomed on the schedule and staying undefeated in the conference became the way Ball State put its 1-3 nonconference record in the past.
Three weeks later, the dialogue couldn't be more different. A pair of embarrassing losses has left the Cardinals (2-5, 1-2) reeling and fans clamoring for results. It would seem like the last place Ball State would want to be was on the road again, facing Toledo (4-3, 3-0), a MAC championship contender.
But Stan Parrish says that's just what a struggling team needs sometimes.
"You're more secluded, you're away," he said. "You've got a less distracted audience with your group. Other than stadiums that are really hard, I think football teams enjoy the road. There's a camaraderie on the road, particularly if you're not doing well."
It seems to have helped Ball State recently. The Cardinals have won three of their past four MAC road games. They are 0-4 in home in conference games in that same stretch.
It will take more than getting away from whatever distractions or bad fates have befall en the Cardinals to beat the Rockets on Saturday night. Toledo is undefeated in the MAC this season and beat Purdue in West Lafayette. The Rockets are just a few wins from going to their first bowl game since 2005.
"They're one of the most talented teams in the league," Parrish said. "They're playing well."
Parrish said he will play a bigger role in creating the defensive game plan this week and has given his coaches free reign to make personnel changes.
He also has set about to solve the problem of what has become an increasingly predictable offense.
After Saturday's loss to Eastern Michigan, Parrish said defenses have figured out how to stop Ball State's run-heavy attack and a lack of speedy wide receivers are preventing a better adjustment. Monday, Parrish said the key would be improving the Cardinals' misdirection plays.
"We have to have as much diversion as we can," he said. "We've got to take some shots down the field. We'll have a diverse plan."
That won't be easy this week, as Ball State will be without running back Cory Sykes. The junior plays a key role in the wildcat, which thrives on misdirection.
Injuries to Sykes and Eric Williams put even more pressure on their backfield-mates MiQuale Lewis and David Brown. Lewis said he has noticed other teams cheating against the run more, but thinks quarterback Keith Wenning has the ability to keep opponents honest.
"At times, Eastern [Michigan] had eight or nine in the box," Lewis said. "We moved the ball through the air last game, so that was a start. Now we've got to keep it going."
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