FOOTBALL: Bring on a bowl
On national television, Cardinals become bowl eligible for the first time since 1996
Ryan Wood
- Page 1 of 1
Playing host to its first national audience in team history on the night 10 Ball State University seniors played their final game at Scheumann Stadium, the Cardinals earned a monumental victory for their program.
With a 41-20 win against the University of Toledo, Ball State became bowl eligible for the first time in 11 years and locked up its highest single-season win total since 2002, when the program finished with a 6-6 record. The Cardinals are attempting to earn their first bowl invitation and winning record since 1996. Even though Ball State had six wins in 2002, seven victories were required to be bowl eligible.
Cardinals coach Brady Hoke said Tuesday's victory was a perfect way for his team to celebrate Senior Night.
"It was really important for us as a team to win for our seniors," Hoke said. "You've got guys who have ground it out for four or five years, and you want to step up for those guys. Then we also wanted to get ourselves in position to play 13 games this season."
Trailing 34-20 early in the fourth quarter, Toledo looked to be mounting a comeback. However, after the Rockets had driven the ball inside the red zone, Toledo quarterback Aaron Opelt injured his ankle and was forced to leave the game.
The first pass Rockets' backup quarterback D.J. Lenehan threw was intercepted by defensive end Brandon Crawford, a 31-year-old former Marine.
"It was a dream come true," Crawford said of his game-clinching interception. "You watch those plays a lot. When you're sitting back and seeing everybody making those plays on ESPN, you think, 'Wow, if I could ever get a chance to do that.' I'm just happy I got that opportunity."
Most fans anticipated a shoot out from two of the more prolific offenses in the Mid-American Conference. The game certainly began that way, with both Ball State and Toledo scoring touchdowns on its first drive of the game. The Rockets scored 17 points in their first three possessions, taking a 10-point lead with 1:47 left in the first quarter.
From that point, Ball State outscored Toledo 34-3 to close the game, pulling away with 21 unanswered second-half points.
"We thought it would be a fourth-quarter game," Hoke said. "When you play two teams that are evenly matched, there's some critical plays in the game that need to be made. I thought there were some critical plays in the game today on both sides of the ball, and I was excited with how our kids kept fighting and stayed together."
Toledo running back Jalen Parmele, who entered Tuesday's game 10th in the nation in rushing yards, record 97 yards on 16 carries in the first half. However, Ball State held the senior to 26 yards on eight carries in the second half. Hoke said he thought Parmele wasn't playing 100 percent healthy in the final 30 minutes.
"One of our guys in the box said he was kind of gimping around a little bit," Hoke said. "I think it was his shoulder. But I think more of [him not producing in the second half] was because our offense kept scoring points and made [Toledo] be one dimensional having to throw the football." Ball State will attempt to wrap up its first winning record since 1996 when the Cardinals play their last regular-season game of the year Nov. 24 at Northern Illinois University.
As thrilling as Ball State's Senior Night victory was to the players and coaches, Hoke was already encouraging his team to focus on its final game of the season immediately after Tuesday's win.
"I told the [seniors] in the locker room, it's always nice to win your first home game," Hoke said. "But there's nothing like winning your last game that you ever get a chance to play. That will be a big emphasis ... because we've got a lot to do to get better."
With a 41-20 win against the University of Toledo, Ball State became bowl eligible for the first time in 11 years and locked up its highest single-season win total since 2002, when the program finished with a 6-6 record. The Cardinals are attempting to earn their first bowl invitation and winning record since 1996. Even though Ball State had six wins in 2002, seven victories were required to be bowl eligible.
Cardinals coach Brady Hoke said Tuesday's victory was a perfect way for his team to celebrate Senior Night.
"It was really important for us as a team to win for our seniors," Hoke said. "You've got guys who have ground it out for four or five years, and you want to step up for those guys. Then we also wanted to get ourselves in position to play 13 games this season."
Trailing 34-20 early in the fourth quarter, Toledo looked to be mounting a comeback. However, after the Rockets had driven the ball inside the red zone, Toledo quarterback Aaron Opelt injured his ankle and was forced to leave the game.
The first pass Rockets' backup quarterback D.J. Lenehan threw was intercepted by defensive end Brandon Crawford, a 31-year-old former Marine.
"It was a dream come true," Crawford said of his game-clinching interception. "You watch those plays a lot. When you're sitting back and seeing everybody making those plays on ESPN, you think, 'Wow, if I could ever get a chance to do that.' I'm just happy I got that opportunity."
Most fans anticipated a shoot out from two of the more prolific offenses in the Mid-American Conference. The game certainly began that way, with both Ball State and Toledo scoring touchdowns on its first drive of the game. The Rockets scored 17 points in their first three possessions, taking a 10-point lead with 1:47 left in the first quarter.
From that point, Ball State outscored Toledo 34-3 to close the game, pulling away with 21 unanswered second-half points.
"We thought it would be a fourth-quarter game," Hoke said. "When you play two teams that are evenly matched, there's some critical plays in the game that need to be made. I thought there were some critical plays in the game today on both sides of the ball, and I was excited with how our kids kept fighting and stayed together."
Toledo running back Jalen Parmele, who entered Tuesday's game 10th in the nation in rushing yards, record 97 yards on 16 carries in the first half. However, Ball State held the senior to 26 yards on eight carries in the second half. Hoke said he thought Parmele wasn't playing 100 percent healthy in the final 30 minutes.
"One of our guys in the box said he was kind of gimping around a little bit," Hoke said. "I think it was his shoulder. But I think more of [him not producing in the second half] was because our offense kept scoring points and made [Toledo] be one dimensional having to throw the football." Ball State will attempt to wrap up its first winning record since 1996 when the Cardinals play their last regular-season game of the year Nov. 24 at Northern Illinois University.
As thrilling as Ball State's Senior Night victory was to the players and coaches, Hoke was already encouraging his team to focus on its final game of the season immediately after Tuesday's win.
"I told the [seniors] in the locker room, it's always nice to win your first home game," Hoke said. "But there's nothing like winning your last game that you ever get a chance to play. That will be a big emphasis ... because we've got a lot to do to get better."
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 14
Jan Wilson
posted 11/14/07 @ 8:40 AM EST
Brady Hoke has done what seemed to be impossible. Remember the days (not so long ago) when the football team suffered 70-0 losses by Big10 teams? Hopefully we can get that last win at Northern and see the Cards play in one of those lucrative bowl games!!
David Baker
posted 11/14/07 @ 8:41 AM EST
Saw the game on ESPN2 last night, what a game! It's been a long time since the Fiesta Bowl, so hang in there Cards! Great job!
Cedar
posted 11/14/07 @ 10:02 AM EST
GO BSU!!
I am so happy we finally got past this point! I can see this momentum rolling for several years to come! Hoke has done a GREAT job pulling this team out of the gutter. (Continued…)
BSU Me Too!
posted 11/14/07 @ 11:12 AM EST
Great game, great season, great job Cardinals! What a way for the seniors to finish their last home game. Hope we're bowl-bound after Northern. And just wait 'til next season!!!
Wayne Williams
posted 11/14/07 @ 12:41 PM EST
After breaking a nationally recognized losing streak a few years ago, the Cardinals have seemingly overhauled their image by redesigning the stadium and appealing more to its fans. (Continued…)
Jason
posted 11/14/07 @ 3:08 PM EST
Is it just me or does it seem like the majority of bowl games are useless? Let's be honest...Ball State in a bowl game simply because they won 6 games (or any other team with 6 wins) is ridiculous. (Continued…)
Matt Houston
posted 11/14/07 @ 3:46 PM EST
Last night was a land mark win for Ball State, but something was missing, half the stadium was empty.
What does it say about our fans and our college when the game Vs. (Continued…)
cedar
posted 11/14/07 @ 5:12 PM EST
JASON:
I understand what you are saying about 6 win bowl teams.. The fact of the matter is that 6 is just the minimum.. BSU is definatnly going to need 7 to go bowling! Bowl games are VERY important for recuiting and plus they have major payouts!! Most MAC bowls pay about $300K!! Plus national exposure, but bandwagon fans jump on, plus more alumni donate. (Continued…)
jplescher
posted 11/16/07 @ 1:31 PM EST
Snap back to reality!
Never be satisfied with a .500 record.
Big step forward? YES.
Launching pad for a 10 win season? YES.
Bowl Game for the Cards? Dream on. (Continued…)
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