It turns out Ball State's upset victory at Central Michigan last week was just an illusion, a tease to better times in the program's history.
Saturday was a throwback to another time in Cardinals' history, one fans would like to forget. Western Michigan got some revenge for Ball State crashing its Senior Day last season, ruining Homecoming with a 45-16 victory.
The game was out of hand before most students found their way into the bleachers on the east side of Scheumann Stadium. The Broncos capitalized on two quick turnovers for a 14-0 lead 59 seconds into the game.
"We made it easy on them," MiQuale Lewis said. "They came in, and they were ready, and we weren't."
The Cardinals turned the ball over four times in the first quarter and five times overall. Their ball control problems began on the opening kickoff when running back Eric Williams fumbled, giving the Broncos the ball on the 23-yard line.
After quarterback Alex Carder's first of three rushing touchdowns, Ball State got the ball back. But on its first offensive play, Keith Wenning threw an interception to cornerback Lewis Toler. The freshman returned it 24 yards for a touchdown.
Down 14-0 after just one offensive play, Lewis said the Cardinals were disheartened.
"It was very discouraging," he said. "The leaders have to keep the team up and stay positive."
No amount of positive energy was going to save Ball State (2-4, 1-1) on Saturday.
Parrish said after the Cardinals got down by three touchdowns and had turned the ball over so many times, he had to throw much of the game plan out.
"We gave them the ball, we gave them the field position," he said. "We're not that good of a team to be able to play through that."
Ball State showed signs of life in the second quarter when a 41-yard touchdown run by Williams put it on the scoreboard. The play completed a seven-play, 98-yard drive that featured five rushes.
During the drive, Lewis passed Bernie Parmalee for second place on Ball State's all-time rushing list. Lewis led the Cardinals with 67 yards and finished the game with 3,523 career rushing yards, 479 behind Marcus Merriweather.
"It's a big accomplishment," Lewis said. "The records are good, and they're meant to be broken, but I'll look at that at the end of the year."
The Cardinals' offensive struggles continued through the second quarter, prompting Parrish to replace Wenning with Kelly Page. He played the second half, finishing 9-of-16 for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Parrish said he made the switch because he didn't want Wenning's confidence to be shaken any more after starting 1-of-8 with two interceptions and a fumble.
"I didn't see it in his eyes," Parrish said. "Keith just looked like he was in a fog out there. He was trying."
Parrish said Wenning is still Ball State's starting quarterback, and he expects the freshman to bounce back next week.
The disparity in quarterback play was clear throughout the game. While Wenning and Page struggled, Carder excelled. The sophomore threw for 265 yards and a touchdown. He also led the Broncos with 66 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
"I don't think he gets the credit he deserves as a running quarterback," middle linebacker Travis Freeman said. "He's very good on his feet. I don't think we did everything to prepare for his running ability. There were plays where we could have had him, and we missed the tackles. You can't do that against athletes like that because they'll take advantage of that, and he did today."
Despite the loss, the Cardinals remain confident about their ability to meet their goal of winning the division.
"We're capable of winning this MAC West," Lewis said. "Our season is not over. We've got to try and get this win so we can be 2-1 in our conference."
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