Ball State Football came out of its first non-conference game with confidence through the roof. The Cardinals had floored Central Connecticut State, set a handful of school records and were ready to face a highly ranked Notre Dame squad in South Bend.
The record may say 1-3, but Ball State Football is approaching the first week of Mid-American Conference play like it’s a new season.
The temperature may have cooled down Saturday, but redshirt junior Riley Neal did not as he was the offensive driving force for Ball State against Western Kentucky.
After leading for the majority of the first half and late in the fourth quarter, Ball State (1-3, 0-0 MAC) fell to visiting Western Kentucky (1-3, 0-0 Conference USA), 28-20.
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After dropping two straight road games, the Ball State Cardinals look to right the ship against Western Kentucky.
The Cardinals (1-2, 0-0 MAC) have come out on every side of the spectrum already in the first three weeks of the season. They blew out Central Connecticut State in their home opener, went toe-to-toe with No. 8 Notre Dame and took a lopsided loss at Indiana.
It wasn’t until the 2:08 mark in the third quarter that Ball State (1-2, 0-0 MAC) was able to find the end zone Saturday.
From North to South, Ball State Football (1-2, 0-0 MAC) has been all over the state in this early season. This weekend, the Cardinals were in Bloomington to take on Indiana (3-0, 0-0 Big 10) in their ninth all time matchup. After a stalemate first quarter, the Hoosiers would come out running to take the game 38-10.
Having proved it has what it takes to play with the big boys after a 24-16 loss to No. 8 Notre Dame, Ball State Football (1-1, 0-0 MAC) will head to Bloomington with all the confidence in the world.
Ball State Football faced a heavy task today in taking on No. 8 Notre Dame. Not only was this the first time both teams have met, but this is the first time in three season that the Cardinals have faced a ranked opponent. While the score may have not favored the Cardinals, the team was able to limit one of the top offenses in college football for the majority of the game.
Ball State Football (1-1, 0-0 MAC) fell to Notre Dame (2-0) 24-16 in its first meeting with the Irish in school history.
It has been booming through the speakers at Scheumann Stadium all week at practice. It can be heard down the halls and throughout the building from the weight room. The melody is engraved in the minds of Ball State Football players leading up to their Saturday showdown with Notre Dame. It’s “Victory March,” the fight song of the Fighting Irish.
In the sea known as the FBS, 130 schools are battling for the top spot in their respected conference. However, 12 schools are looking to fly the crescent of the Jolly Roger among their rivals in mark of a dominant performance on the field.
Ball State Football (1-0, 0-0 MAC) opened up its season with a dominant win over Central Connecticut State (0-1, 0-0 NEC), 42-6. While the Cardinals held it down on both sides of the ball, it was their rushing game that proved to be the biggest difference of the game.
Ball State Football (1-0, 0-0 MAC) won its ninth straight home opener Thursday, taking down the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (0-1, 0-0 NEC) in record-breaking fashion.
Danny Pinter gained 27 pounds in 23 days last winter, not because he was making a sequel to “Super Size Me,” but because it was confirmed he would be changing his position from tight end to offensive line.
It’s game week. Ball State football head coach Mike Neu has preached that all week long, making sure his players know all their hard work is about to come into play.
On a day when all other Ball State outdoor athletics were called off, a light, steady rain couldn’t keep Ball State football off the field.
