DeKALB, Ill. – Not too long ago, Ball State University had been penalized for the fewest yards in the Mid-American conference. That was before the Cardinals racked up 18 times for 146 yards in their last two games.
Ball State was called for nine penalties in Thursday's 26-20 loss at Northern Illinois University. The Cardinals were whistled for five false starts, including one on a fake field goal attempt at the end of the first half.
"[Cody Muhlenkamp] has been snapping PATs and field goals for four years and they call him for moving the ball," Parrish said with a laugh. "I said ‘Guys, I've been doing this 40 years and I haven't seen one of those.'"
Parrish wasn't thrilled with the officiating, but caught himself before he went too far.
"I thought … no I'm not allowed to comment," he said. "I thought the officiating was very good."
Thursday was very windy in DeKalb and Parrish elected to have the wind at Ball State's back in the fourth quarter.
He said it may have cost the Cardinals, when the Huskies scored 10 points in the third quarter, to extend their lead to 26-13. Ball State was unable to move the ball at all in the quarter, finishing with no yards of offense.
"We were playing in the wind, because like a fool, I took it in the fourth quarter," Parrish said. "I've got to quit thinking that's the only way you can win."
MiQuale Lewis ran for 68 yards Thursday. That leaves Lewis with 853 yards on the season and in reach of second 1,000 yard season. He would be the first Cardinal to have back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons since Marcus Merriweather in 2000-2002.
Lewis is also chasing Bernie Parmalee for second place on Ball State's career rushing list. He is 228 yards behind Parmalee with 3,255 yards.
Roommate rivalry
A playoff showdown between two of Ohio's best high school teams likely was closely monitored in at least one room on Ball State's campus.
Glenville (Cleveland) High School upset St. Ignatius (Cleveland) High School 30-13 in the second round of the state playoffs Saturday night.
Wide receiver Connor Ryan, a former St. Ignatius Wildcat, and linebacker Travis Freeman, a former Glenville Tarblooder, are roommates.
Freeman expected the room to be tense Saturday.
"We'll be fighting in the room probably," Freeman said with a laugh. "We come from two great high school programs in Cleveland."
St. Ignatius finished the season 11-1 and was the top-ranked team in Ohio before the playoffs. The Tarblooders are ranked sixth in the state and is 11-1. Glenville avenged their earlier loss was to St. Ignatius and will play third-ranked and undefeated Solon High School next week.
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