Even President Jo Ann Gora wasn't ready to let the moment go. During the press conference following Ball State's 31-27 comeback victory Saturday, Gora pulled out a small black camera and walked to the front of the room. Click.
Her camera framed coach Pete Lembo and three of his players in the aftermath of the game that tied for the fourth-largest comeback in school history. Ball State had just overcome a 17-point deficit to defeat Central Michigan University in front of 7,160 fans at Scheumann Stadium. It left the Cardinals (5-3, 3-1 Mid-American Conference) just one victory shy of bowl eligibility for the first time since 2008 and kept them tied for second place in the MAC West.
To even be talking about bowl games and division races after the first eight games of Lembo's career at Ball State was almost unthinkable before the season. The Cardinals were picked to finish fifth in the MAC West after winning a combined six games in the last two years.
Now, however, Ball State is tied for the best overall record in the conference and controls its own destiny in the MAC title race. Junior middle linebacker Travis Freeman said the Cardinals belong among the MAC's best teams.
"We're a good football team," Freeman said. "When we're playing complete football, we're a great football team."
Ball State didn't play complete football for 60 minutes against Central Michigan, but it was able to overcome a dreary first half with a thrilling performance after halftime.
Down 20-3 after Central Michigan kicked a field goal on the opening drive of the second half, Ball State finally went to work. Sophomore quarterback Keith Wenning led the Cardinals on a 12-play, 88-yard drive that ended with a 28-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Briggs Orsbon. It was the first touchdown Ball State had scored in Scheumann Stadium in seven quarters, dating back to its victory against Army on Sept. 24.
The Cardinals wouldn't have to wait long for another touchdown. On the Chippewas' next drive, sophomore running back Zurlon Tipton fumbled after a hit by sophomore defensive tackle Nathan Ollie. Freeman fell on the ball, and four plays later, Ball State had cut the deficit to three points after a one-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Jahwan Edwards.
The two touchdowns, less than 90 seconds apart, gave the Cardinals new life. Before the end of the quarter, they also would have their first lead of the day thanks to a two-yard touchdown pass from Wenning to sophomore tight end Aaron Mershman.
Lembo said he never felt Ball State's confidence drop during the first half, as he had in previous games, and thought the gap could be overcome in the second half.
"It was just good to see our guys not panic or not get too down on themselves and have some faith that we could battle our way back into it," Lembo said.
Though the Chippewas would retake the lead at the start of the fourth quarter, the Cardinals took it back on the next drive. Wenning found sophomore wide receiver Jamill Smith running wide open over the middle of the field for a 34-yard touchdown.
It would prove to be the winning score, but for the second week in a row, Ball State's defense had to fend off a last-ditch attempt by its opponent. Last week, Ohio missed a 41-yard field goal that would have tied the game with 36 seconds left. Saturday, Central Michigan junior quarterback Ryan Radcliff heaved a Hail Mary into a crowd of players in the end zone, but safety senior Sean Baker came down with the ball, ending the game.
Freeman said he thinks the experience last week may have helped the Cardinals.
"No one says anything, but I think it's always in the back of your mind, just thinking about the situation," Freeman said. "Guys did what they had to do, we never panicked at all."
Ball State will now try to leverage its experience into a strong push toward a bowl game and more snapshots in Gora's photo album.
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