The shining Cardinal and White skyscraper, at one point the 12th highest in the nation, has crumbled to the ground.
Ball State University lost 23-16 to the University of New Hampshire, a Football Championship Subdivision member, to open the season 0-2.
Coach Stan Parrish said he likened his offense's performance to an engineer's failure.
"Probably like building a building that falls down the next morning," Parrish said. "I'm not doing very well."
Parrish said he was most disappointed with the offense's play.
Ball State managed nine first downs and 13 rushing yards. All-Mid-American Conference running back MiQuale Lewis was held to 21 yards and a fumble by the Wildcats. The total was the fewest yards Lewis has gained since Sept. 23, 2006 when he lost one yard on one carry in a loss to North Dakota State University.
"Credit the New Hampshire defense," Lewis said. "Playmakers got to make plays and hold on to the ball."
The lack of a rushing attack stunted Ball State's offense. The Cardinals were in many third-and-long situations all night, allowing the Wildcats to blitz freshman quarterback Kelly Page.
"When you can run, you can throw," Parrish said. "We're not doing either very well."
Page had an almost identical stat line to his debut against the University of North Texas. He again completed 15-of-34 attempts and was intercepted. He threw for 114 yards this week, down from 140 against the Mean Green.
"I probably didn't have him as well prepared as I should," Parrish said. "He didn't play very well, but he didn't have a chance."
Ball State has scored 26 points this season, still more than a touchdown shy of its average last year. Most of the key players are gone from last year, but Lewis said he doesn't want to use that excuse.
"You've got to go out there and play ball," Lewis said. "You've got to make plays."
The Cardinals' longest play from scrimmage was a 25-yard reception by wide receiver Dan Ifft. The big gain helped to set up Ball State's lone touchdown of the night, a 21-yard pass to wide receiver Seth White.
"You've got to make plays," Parrish said. "Right now we can't make any plays."
Momentum was something Ball State didn't have much of Saturday night. They took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter with a pair of Ian McGarvey field goals, but the damage could have been much greater. The Cardinals twice took control of the ball in New Hampshire territory, but had to settle for field goals.
"If we were any good on offense it would have been 17-0," Parrish said. "But we're not running it or throwing it right now."
Starting with a safety on the first play of the second quarter, New Hampshire scored 16 straight points.
Ball State attempted a second half comeback, but for the second consecutive week was unable to finish it. After the White touchdown, the Cardinals drove down to the New Hampshire 20-yard line before the drive stalled.
"As bad as we played, I thought we had a chance again late in the game," Parrish said.
After the surprisingly poor start to the season, Parrish said he must control the team's emotions.
"What we can't do is point fingers right now," Parrish said. "I've got to try to keep this club together."
With the possibility of a lost season staring the Cardinals in the face, Parrish spoke to the importance of this week's game at Army.
"This might be the most important week I coach here," Parrish said. "You have to keep the players."
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