Stan Parrish knows Ball State's fans are restless. He knows the Cardinals' three-game losing streak has many wondering if this season will be just another disappointing fall in Muncie.
Coming off a 45-0 loss at No. 17 Iowa last Saturday, Parrish craves a victory this afternoon at Central Michigan more than anyone. The teams meet today at 3:30 p.m. in Mount Pleasant, Mich. He knows how much it would mean for Ball State's morale to start its Mid-American Conference schedule with an upset against the reigning champions.
"It's not easy to be all in all the time," he said. "Especially when you play have a game like we played Saturday."
After their worst loss since 2005 and a 1-3 nonconference record, the Cardinals are focusing on their clean MAC slate this week. Ball State tried to take a similar approach last season after an 0-4 start without much success. It ended the year 2-10 and finished fifth in the MAC West.
Still, the Cardinals know they have plenty left to play for, including making a bowl game.
"There's a good level of optimism," tight end Aaron Mershman said. "Our goals are still intact."
Standing between Ball State and the potentially season-changing victory it needs is Central Michigan (2-2). The Chippewas have won three of the past four MAC titles, only failing in 2008 when the Cardinals beat them in the MAC West.
Central Michigan has gone through a lot of change in the last year, however. Coach Butch Jones left for Cincinnati, MAC Offensive Player of the Year Dan LeFevour graduated and wide receiver Antonio Brown gave up his senior season and entered the NFL Draft.
The Chippewas have hardly missed a beat, ranking first in the MAC in scoring offense and defense.
"They've got a good football team," Parrish said. "They're throwing more than I thought they would. I thought Dan Enos would bring a Michigan State style, but he hasn't."
Enos was the running backs coach at Michigan State before taking over at Central Michigan in January. So far, he has let new quarterback Ryan Radcliff throw the football plenty. Radcliff already has 1,142 yards and five touchdowns.
Containing the Chippewas' passing attack will be critical to the Cardinals' success Saturday.
For success in the rest of the season, though, Ball State feels a victory Saturday would put them right back on track even after a disappointing start.
"It's like Coach P said, we win this weekend and we're in the driver's seat," offensive lineman Austin Holtz said. "It would be huge for us to get a win."
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