The Ball State Daily News Online

Section: SPORTS
Originally published: 10/1/07 at 12:46 AM EST
Last update: 10/1/07 at 12:50 AM EST

Saturday's football game had been over for more than 30 minutes, but about 40 students lingered outside Fisher Football Training Complex to cheer the Ball State players leaving the facility.

It isn't unusual to see a crowd, mostly composed of family and friends, hang around after a home game to offer support to the players. This time, however, a small smattering of the 3,800 students that attended the game scattered in the after crowd.

After a 49-14 victory against Buffalo - the largest margin of victory at home since a 44-point win against Kent State in 1996 - each fan applauded the Ball State players as they exited the building. One of those fans, senior Daniel Martin, who traveled to Annapolis, Mary., to watch Ball State beat Navy, said the scene showed how students are more excited about the Ball State football program.

"The student section when I got here as a freshman was really small, maybe one section at the most," Martin said. "This year it's been four or five sections. Everyone used to leave at halftime, but not so much anymore. This year everybody stays here for the whole game because there's a lot of excitement."

Martin said the playmakers on the Cardinals' offense are a big reason for the increased excitement. Rarely do fans get the chance to see as many fireworks at Scheumann Stadium as they did against Buffalo.

Ball State produced 507 yards of total offense, the third consecutive week it has reach that mark. After losing starting running back MiQuale Lewis to a season-ending injury the week before, the Cardinals scored a season-high 49 points against the Bulls. It was the most points Ball State has scored at home in coach Brady Hoke's five-year tenure.

Ball State junior Mike Grenwalt, whose bare chest was turned into a No. 21 Chris Allen jersey Saturday, said the Cardinals' offensive production against the Bulls was stunning.

"I can't remember the last time we were up 28-0," Grenwalt said of Ball State's 28-0 halftime lead.

Sophomore quarterback Nate Davis led the way offensively, along with his two favorite targets, juniors Darius Hill and Dante Love. Davis was 21-of-30 for 233 yards and three touchdowns - two thrown to Hill and one tossed to Love. Hill and Love also combined for 10 receptions and 118 yards.

Grenwalt said one of the reasons more students have been coming to games is because they want to see the offensive playmakers the Cardinals have to offer.

"[Davis, Hill and Love] are obviously the best players on the team, and it's great to see them make some of the plays they make," Grenwalt said of Ball State's version of the triplets. "Having a crappy opponent like Buffalo doesn't hurt [their production] either. But it's really exciting to see the plays they make."

Hill is in the top five nationally in receptions and touchdown receptions among tight ends and leads all tight ends in Division I with 381 receiving yards. The junior said he feels the buzz around campus throughout the week for the playmakers on the Ball State offense.

"There's definitely a buzz around campus about our offense," Hill said. "It's good to know that people are going to come out and support us strong like they did [Saturday]. Hopefully they'll all be back next week for another show."

After "The Sporting News" named Davis "the next great MAC quarterback" last year, there has been much hype surrounding the second-year player. Davis said he knows his fellow students expect him to generate big plays.

"It feels great to have all the students here and offering their support," Davis said. "We know we've got to perform well on the field. We want to give the fans a good show every week."

Hoke, who was a defensive coach at the University of Michigan for eight years before coming to Muncie, said he gets just as excited over a 3-0 score if his team wins. However, Hoke said he knows how important the influence of a high-powered offense is on fan support.

"We want our fans to have a good time," Hoke said. "We know the only way for them to have a good time is if [the players] execute and play hard. We have an offense that is exciting because of some of the guys who are involved in that offense."

As good as Davis, Hill and Love have been this year, Ball State junior Ryan Smith said the trio's on-field production isn't the scariest thing for opposing defenses.

"What's really exciting is [Davis, Hill and Love] all have at least one more year of eligibility left," Smith said. "So as good as they are this year, they're going to be even better next year."

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