Cardinal Red Shines Brighter than Hoosier Crimson

**Posted for Mike P.**

Saturday night was one for the ages. It was a game that you could watch your team come out, be well prepared, and execute their game plan with poise and confidence. That is, if your team is Ball State (BSU).

Before I go any farther, I want to send my thoughts and prayers out to Dante Love for a full and speedy recovery. Dante was involved in a collision in the 2nd quarter with Chris Adkins from IU. Unfortunately Dante lowered his head to try and power a couple more yards out of the play. The result of this was a very hard hit, their helmets hit off each other and the crown of Love’s helmet was hit square by Adkins’ shoulder. This hit resulted in a cervical spine fracture for Love.

Love fell limp to the ground, and was immediately tended to by members of the IU and Ball State medical and training staffs. The stabilized him on the field, he was took to Bloomington Hospital and then transferred to Methodist. Love had to undergo 5 hours of surgery to stabilize the fracture in his spin. The good news came after the surgery. Love has been able to move all of his extremities. There has not been a long term prognosis given yet, but things are look promising.

From this Hoosier fan, my prayers and best wishes to you Dante Love.

And now, back to the game.

It is hard to decide what really went on in that game. Were we not prepared, or were we truly outmatched by BSU? I think it was a little of both. Their skill guys had incredible speed and field vision, and they appeared ready for the challenge and to get their first win against IU and their first win against a BCS school on the road.

The game did start out with some promise. Ball State got the opening kick, quickly went 3 and out, and was forced to punt. Jerimy Finch from IU got around the corner and blocked the BSU punt out of bounds. This gave IU a 1st & 10 at the Ball State 31 yard line. Kellen Lewis completed 2 passes, and Thigpen was stuffed for a loss. What should have been a huge momentum push for IU resulted in a field goal and a quick swing back to BSU.

BSU was able to get in the end zone on their next 2 possessions. While IU settled for a field goal on their next one. At this point BSU had jumped out to a 14-6 lead, and seemed well in control of the game.

The next points to be scored were 6 of the scariest points any fan, player, or coach can ever witness. Nick Polk scooped a fumble and returned it 31 yards for a TD after the hit on Dante Love by Chris Adkins. Making the game 14-13 and for a blink of an eye shifting the momentum back to IU.

What happened next showed exactly the kind of character and belief that BSU has in them. They had just lost their best receiver get carted off the field and rushed away in an ambulance. In 5 plays, BSU moved the ball 80 yards on the strength of 35 and 45 yard pass plays from Nate Davis to Myles Trempe.

IU got the ball back, drove the field and brought the score back to with in 1 point at 21-20. They then forced a BSU punt (for only the 2nd time) and had the ball back to try and gain momentum. Kellen then threw his 2nd pick of the day, one that was returned for a TD and made the score 28-20 at half.

One thing to note, Kellen Lewis was 3-5 for 57 yards in the 1st quarter. He would go 0-7 the rest of the half and not make his next completion until the last play of the 3rd quarter, one of only 2 attempts for the entire quarter.

The 3rd quarter didn’t provide much action by either offense. IU had to punt the ball away twice. BSU missed a field goal and fumbled the ball away deep in Indiana territory. Entering the 4th, BSU had a 28-20 lead and there was still a slim amount of hope for IU to get the win.

IU started the 4th with the ball, after a holding penalty they were faced with a 1st & 18 on their own 8. In the next 4 plays, IU moved the ball 61 yards to the BSU 31. The drive stalled at the BSU 26 and out came the field goal team. Austin Star missed a field goal and walked away from that drive with no points.

BSU then drove the field, added a TD and made it a 35-20 ball game with just over 6 minutes left. IU comes out, gets a 4th and short, and brings out Chappell for the short yardage push. After a false start, IU is backed up facing a 4th & 5 with over 5 minutes left. Any coach knows, PUNT the ball away. You are only down 2 scores, have 3 time outs, and plenty of clock time. Instead we go for it. Lewis throws another incomplete pass and IU turns the ball over on downs at their own 27 yard line.

It only took 2 plays and the game was 42-20, and all hope was now lost.

My thoughts on the coaching staff and individual performances will be coming later this week.

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