On a weekly basis, Ball State has prided itself in moving on from one game to the next. Whether it’s an emotional win or a tough loss, by the first practice on Tuesday the previous game is a thing of the past.
But for Saturday’s game against Central Michigan, Ball State might want some carry-over from the defense that played perhaps its best half of football all season.
The team held Western Michigan to only a last-second field goal in the second half. In the third quarter, Western Michigan’s offense didn’t even cross midfield.
“Since I’ve been here, that half has to be one of top three defensive performances I’ve been apart of,” linebacker Tony Martin said.
Of course, the field goal wouldn’t have happened had Martin just fallen to the ground following his interception in the last seconds of the game. Since Ball State got the win, Martin was able to laugh off the fumble that led to the field goal. The interception was the first of his career, and he admitted he may have been a little more excited than he should have been.
“When you get your first interception, it’s just human nature you want to run,” Martin said. “Then your mind says ‘hey, the game’s going to be over get down.’ And before that could happen [the ball] came loose.”
He said his defense did an excellent job of getting refocused after the fumble, which allowed the team to force another field goal attempt in overtime.
There’s no guarantee that Ball State will replicate its play in the second half for Saturday’s game against Central Michigan. But one thing is certain, the defense is playing with a lot more confidence than it has in previous weeks. And defensive coordinator Jay Bateman could see the confidence in his players growing Saturday.
“I think our confidence has grown and we’ve become a little more veteran,” Bateman said.
The last two games Bateman has been on the sidelines rather than up in the coaches’ box. The only distinct difference between the two is being up in the box allows him to see what the opposing offense is doing and how the defense is responding. On the sidelines, he can’t see as much but it allows him to give direct coaching to the players.
“I settle them down a little bit,” Bateman said. “I don’t know if it’s made any difference, I think it’s just us getting a little bit older to be honest.”
Bateman said neither he nor coach Pete Lembo coached any differently or any harder leading up to Western Michigan or this week as Central Michigan looms. The improvement of the defense comes from playing hard and growing together more as a unit.
And he hopes that continues against Central Michigan Saturday.
“For a pretty long stretch, we were consistent,” he said. “We didn’t coach any harder and our kids didn’t compete any less. We probably matched up a little bit better, but hopefully that continues against Central.”
