At a different school, students would respond to a 49-3 Homecoming Game loss with anger or dejection, but most Ball State University students laughed knowingly at their team's futility following Saturday's drubbing.
Fortunately, the game is over and Coach Brady Hoke, his staff and his players can begin worrying about their next Mid-American Conference game against the University of Toledo.
Hoke, in his first year, has guided another coach's players to a 3-4 overall record. And with a 2-1 record in the MAC, now is not the time for mutiny. After all, Ball State has shown it has quality performers; according to espn.com, sophomore Dante Ridgeway is 8th in the nation in receptions per game. And as a team, Ball State is 14th nationally in turnover margin.
But while some MAC schools, like Toledo, can compete with, and defeat, nationally ranked opponents, Ball State continues to struggle to win in its own league, as shown by Saturday's blowout.
In 2003, many MAC schools have proven their worth against ranked opponents from powerhouse conferences. In September, Bowling Green State University beat Purdue, then ranked 20. Marshall beat Kansas State, then ranked 6. Northern Illinois, who is currently undefeated, beat Maryland, then ranked 14. And Toledo beat Pittsburgh, then ranked 11, the same team that beat Ball State 42-21.
Still, Ball State might end the season with a winning record and the 49-3 defeat at Homecoming will be forgotten. But finishing the season on an impressive note is more crucial than merely securing the chance to boast.
Ball State must prove to recruits and to potential student athletes that it will be competitive in the next few years. Hoke has to draw top athletes to complement his current underclassman and needs time to integrate his system.
Success, along with moral victories, might come Ball State's way, but it's going to take a few seasons.
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