BASKETBALL
Slow start, Ohio’s second-chance shooting haunt Ball State in loss
By Connor Smith / 2 days agoWhenever the Cardinals tried to catch up with the Bobcats, they couldn’t.
Whenever the Cardinals tried to catch up with the Bobcats, they couldn’t.
Led by a double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds) from RedHawks’ redshirt junior forward James Beck, Ball State (6-6, 4-3 MAC) couldn’t match Miami’s (5-4, 2-2 MAC) physicality the rest of the way in its 81-71 loss to Miami (Ohio).
However, just like they have routinely for weeks, the Cardinals didn’t let that get in their way against Northern Illinois (2-10, 1-6 MAC). Ball State used depth to its advantage in a 78-58 victory at Worthen Arena, completing a season sweep of the Huskies.
Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" echoes how Ball State Football finished 2020, following years of adversity dating to the team's 2-10 finish in 2017 — when many of its 22 senior players were freshmen.
When senior safety Bryce Cosby takes the field for the Cardinals Dec. 31 in Tucson, Arizona, he’ll have the same mentality he had when he first stepped on the gridiron this season in Oxford, Ohio.
Brent Baldwin, 1996 Ball State graduate and former Cardinal quarterback, knows a thing or two about playing for high stakes.
The Cardinals have accepted an invitation to participate in the Arizona Bowl, taking place Dec. 31 in Tucson, Arizona. Ball State will face the No. 25 San Jose State Spartans (7-0 MWC) in their 10th all-time bowl appearance and first since their 23-20 loss to Arkansas State in the 2014 GoDaddy Bowl.
Playing in an empty Ford Field, Ball State (6-1 MAC) accomplished its ultimate goal Friday night, capping off a season the MAC initially postponed last August. The Cardinals defeated No. 23 Buffalo (5-1 MAC) 38-28 and are Mid-American Conference Champions for the first time since 1996.
Twenty-seven years following his senior season, Neu is guiding the Cardinals from the sideline and has a chance to win another championship — this time as head coach. In this season's MAC Championship game, Ball State (5-1 MAC) faces the No. 23 Bulls (5-0 MAC) Dec. 18 at Ford Field in Detroit for a rematch of the 2008 title game.
Playing in a de facto MAC West Championship game, the Cardinals defeated the Broncos 30-27. For the first time since George W. Bush was in the White House, Ball State won the MAC West division and will play in the MAC Championship Dec. 18 against Buffalo in Detroit.
Eagles' head coach Chris Overholt delivers his postgame remarks following Delta's victory over Wayne at Delta High School Oct. 30, 2020. The Eagles defeated the Generals 49-18. Connor Smith, DN.
Eagles' senior wide receiver and cornerback Carson Neu walks off the field during Delta's game vs. Wayne Oct. 30, 2020, at Delta High School. The Eagles defeated the Generals 49-18. Connor Smith, DN.
Eagles' senior wide receiver and cornerback Cody Howard catches the ball vs. Wayne Oct. 30, 2020 in sectional action at Delta High School. The Eagles defeated the Generals 49-18. Connor Smith, DN.
Wayne Generals' junior quarterback and slotback Shawn Collins runs the ball vs. Delta Oct. 30, 2020, at Delta High School. The Eagles defeated the Generals 49-18. Connor Smith, DN.
Delta football players run onto the field prior to their home game vs. Wayne Oct. 30, 2020, at Delta High School. The Eagles defeated the Generals 49-18. Connor Smith, DN.
