Ball State hopes to down Bowling Green's division title hopeswhen the Falcons bring their high-flying attack to Ball StateStadium for a 1 p.m. contest.
The Cardinals (4-7, 3-4 Mid-American Conference) have no hope ofa winning record going into their season finale, but an upset ofNo. 22 BG would boost the program heading into offseason recruitingand conditioning, as well as send the team's 17 seniors out on apositive note.
"We want to win this football game for them," head coach BradyHoke said of his first group of seniors as a head coach. "Most ofthem will never put a helmet and pads on again.
"This senior class, I'm proud of them. Anytime there's change inphilosophy or anything, it's not easy. They responded to theadversity, and I think they've done a nice job of leading. At timesI've questioned their fight, but for the most part, attitude-wise,they've been outstanding mentors."
One of the seniors, offensive guard Travis Barclay, said theteam's three-game losing streak does not diminish the excitement ofhis last game.
"They're a really good team, so it's going to be there," he saidof playing the Falcons. "The seniors will have an emotionalattachment to this game because it's our last game, especiallysince it's the last game in our stadium."
A victory in their last game would also be one of their biggestwins ever. The Falcons (8-2, 5-1) boast one of the nation's mostpotent offenses.
Bowling Green averages 520 yards with quarterback Josh Harris asthe ringleader. The 6-3, 238-pound senior has thrown for 2,789yards, rushed for 531 and accounted for 26 touchdowns.
"For what they do and their offense, he's as good as anyoneyou're going to see," Hoke said. "(With Harris) you've got tworunning backs back there. He's really improved throwing thefootball. He's tremendous. We've got our hands full."
Joining Harris in the backfield is sophomore tailback P.J. Pope(1,148 total yards). Cole Magner (74 catches for 916 yards) leadssix receivers with at least 23 catches. On defense, Mitch Crossleyhas racked up 10 sacks, and Janssen Patton has seveninterceptions.
Both of Harris' counterparts, Talmadge Hill and Andy Roesch, arefifth-year seniors. Hill has passed for 1,673 yards and 13touchdowns but struggled last week at Eastern Michigan beforegiving way to Roesch, who threw for 236 yards and twotouchdowns.
Despite the lack of a winning season, Hill said he believes theprogram has made strides during his career.
"We've had some ups and downs, but it's been a very goodexperience," Hill said. "I would say we're definitely improved.From not winning a game (my) true freshman year, being at thebottom of the league, to knocking off Top 25 teams, to playing withthe top teams, I think we've really made improvements.
"I've seen improvements in the facilities and things like that.It's something you're proud to see and hope it will continue. Maybewe'll come back in a few years for Homecoming and the stadium willbe finished."
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