Ball State University Athletics
Football Team in Marathon MAC Championship Game Friday
December 05, 2008 | Football
Marathon Mid-American Conference
Championship Game
Ball State Cardinals (12-0; MAC 8-0)
MAC West Division Champions
vs. Buffalo Bulls (7-5; MAC 5-3)
MAC East Division Champions
Fri., Dec. 5, 2008
Detroit, Mich. -- 8 p.m. (ET)
Ford Field (Capacity: 65,000)
? ESPN2 -- Sean McDonough (Play-by-Play), Chris Spielman (Color Commentary), Rob Stone (Sideline) ?
? Radio: Ball State Radio Network ? Additional Radio: WCRD 91.3 FM ? Pregame Shows: ? Live Stats: www.ballstatesports.com BALL STATE FOOTBALL QUICK HITS: ? Brady Hoke is one of only 18 coaches in the country to be head coach of their alma mater in 2008. ? Ball State completed the regular season with a 12-0 record. This marks only the third undefeated regular season in Ball State's 84 campaigns. The 1949 squad completed the year at 8-0. The 1965 team posted a perfect 9-0 regular season before tying Tennessee State in the Grantland Rice Bowl to end the year at 9-0-1. ? This year's 12 straight victories is the third longest winning streak in school history. The longest winning streak in school history is 14, which was the last six games of 1948 and all eight in 1949. Ball State also won 13 straight in 1977 and 1978. ? Ball State's football program has had two 10 plus win seasons in 84 campaigns, and head coach Brady Hoke has been a part of both. He was a player on the 1978 team which posted a 10-1 overall record. ? The 8-0 Mid-American Conference season marks the second undefeated league campaign in Ball State history. The 1978 squad also completed the league slate at 8-0 ? The Cardinals 10 straight MAC wins is the second best streak in BSU annals. The school record is 12 -- the last four in 1977 and all eight in 1978. ? Ball State's national rankings this season are the first in school history. ? Ball State is one of only four of the 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the nation still undefeated in 2008 (Ball State, Alabama, Boise State, Utah). ? Ball State's 12 game winning streak is tied for the third longest in the nation. ? Ball State's eight straight home victories ties the fifth best mark in school history. ? Ball State's six straight road victories ties for the second best in BSU annals. ? The Cardinals have gone 44 straight games without being shutout, which is the third longest stretch in Ball State history. The last time a Ball State team did not score in a game was Oct. 1, 2005, at Boston College. ? Ball State has won 11 of its 12 games this season by double-digit margins. ? The closest an opponent has come to the Cardinals was the 31-24 win at Central Michigan. Other than that, the closest an opponent has come was Navy, 35-23. ? Ball State has won its 12 games by an average of 21.0 points per contest. ? Ball State's defense has allowed 20 points or fewer eight times this season. ? The Cardinals have scored 49-of-56 (.875) times in the Red Zone this year, including 40 touchdowns and nine field goals. ? Ball State ranks seventh in the country in third down conversion percentage. The Cardinals have converted on 67-of-130 (.515) third downs. ? Ball State ranks first in the nation for fewest penalties (2.5) and fewest penalty yards (25.33) per game. ? Ball State has not been behind at the half in a game this season. The Cardinals were tied with Central Michigan, 10-10, at the half. The Cardinals have only been behind in three games this season -- 3-0 at Indiana, 3-0 at Miami University and 10-7, 17-10 and 24-17 at Central Michigan. ? Ball State's secondary has 16 interceptions this season. The Cardinals have posted two or more interceptions in four games and at least one interception in 10 outings. Ball State has three interception returns for touchdowns this year. ? Ball State has 29 rushing touchdowns this season, which is the third best single season mark in school history, behind the school standard of 32 in 1965 and 1977. ? The Cardinals have scored a school record 407 points this season.
- Muncie: WLBC 104.1 FM
- Fort Wayne: 1380 AM
- Indianapolis: XL950 AM
- Internet: www.ballstatesports.com
* Morry Mannies - 53rd Season (PBP)
* Mark O'Connell - 8th Season (Color)
- ESPN 1340 AM (5:30-7 p.m.)
* Hosts: Dan Ross and Doug Zaleski
- WLBC 104.1 FM (7-8 p.m.)
* Host: Jeff Weller
