Ball State Football (5-6, 3-4 MAC) dropped its game against Central Michigan (7-4, 5-2 MAC), and now look ahead to the last game of the regular season next Tuesday against Buffalo.
If Ball State is able to secure the win against Buffalo, they have a chance to make a bowl game. If not, the season will come to an end for the Cardinals.
Next week’s game is a big one for the Cardinals, not only because it’s a win-or-go-home situation for the Cardinals, but because, win or lose, Tuesday will be the last game at Scheumann Stadium for the seniors at Ball State.
Senior Safety Bryce Cosby, who had 12 total tackles Wednesday night, said the game on Tuesday means everything to him.
“It seems like yesterday that I was a wide-eyed freshman that the coaching staff believed in,” Cosby said.
Cosby said he will not allow the nature of the game on Tuesday to affect how he prepares for the game. However, he did say the emotions for the seniors will be on full display come Tuesday.
Cosby said through his four-and-a-half years at Ball State, he believes he has become a better football player, and more importantly, a better man.
Cosby said his role as a leader on the team will be slightly altered, as he will use the numerous aspects of the game to his advantage as a leader.
“We kind of need that extra umph,” Cosby said. “For guys to buy into the fact that we have a lot of seniors who laid it all on the line.”
Head Coach Mike Neu said he is trying to have tunnel vision on winning the game Tuesday but admits he does have a special place in his heart for the departing group.
“It’s going to be emotional,” Neu said. “My concern is to give everything I have to those guys.”
Freshman running back Carson Steele, who had 95 rushing yards and a touchdown in Wednesday’s game, said the team needs to try to mentally prepare for Tuesday’s game.
“It’s a six-day comeback, so recover our bodies first and mentally focus in,” Steele said.
Steele said he would definitely be trying to win next Tuesday’s game for the seniors, who could be participating in their last game ever.
“They’ve put a stamped mark on Ball State and what Ball State is really about,” Steele said. “It would mean everything to win for them.”
Neu touched on what the group of seniors who will step into Scheumann Stadium for the last time as a player next Tuesday means to him.
“When you talk about simply doing things the right way on the field, off the field, in the community, in the classroom and representing Ball State University, I feel very strongly in saying all these guys have done that,” Neu said.
Contact Kyle Smedley on Twitter @smedley1932 or via email at kmsmedley213@gmail.com
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