No wins and two losses.
That wasn't supposed to be the way Ball State University opened the season against the University of North Texas and the University of New Hampshire.
"You don't practice for that," captain Brandon Crawford said. "You don't game plan to lose."
Coach Stan Parrish knew his first season on the job would be difficult. He had to replace Nate Davis, the Cardinals' career passing leader, and almost the entire offensive line. Before the season, Parrish said both North Texas and New Hampshire would be difficult teams, but he was surprised at the carnage after a 23-16 loss to the Wildcats on Saturday.
"We certainly haven't started out the way everyone anticipated we would, including myself," Parrish said. "I was more shocked last week because I saw where we were and that shocked me a little bit."
At Mid-American Conference Media Day in July, All-MAC running back MiQuale Lewis said the Cardinals had a good chance to start the season 3-0.
Saturday, he blamed himself for the loss.
"Coach Parrish preached to us, 'Don't point the finger at nobody else, point the thumb back,'" Lewis said. "I fumbled and they recovered, got the momentum and scored the next play. That's seven points right there and we lost by seven."
Parrish and Crawford also took the blame for Ball State's first loss to a Football Championship Subdivision team since 2006. But there was no question that the team isn't where it wanted to be after two games.
"I'd say we're very much on the wrong way right now," Parrish said. "We desperately need a win."
The Cardinals will get their next shot at that Saturday at Army (1-1). The road trip could be a positive for Ball State.
"Playing on the road sometimes when things are going like this is better for you," Parrish said. "'Cause it's just us."
Parrish said his team will try to turn the season around, but there won't be much support from the outside in that endeavor either.
"We're going to be in this alone," Parrish said. "We realize that. Those people that want to put a nail in our coffin this early in the year are certainly going to do it."
More than distractions, Ball State may need to fight frustration.
"In some players there is," Crawford said. "The older guys, we expect more. There's more frustration with the older guys."
Even with the poor start, Parrish has forced himself to provide a positive forecast for his players.
"It's sunny and 82," Parrish said. "The sun has got to come up. I don't have any options."
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