‘A lot left to accomplish’ as Cardinals return home to face Chippewas

MUNCIE, Ind. – When Ball State takes the field Wednesday night against Central Michigan inside Scheumann Stadium, the Cardinals (5-5, 3-3 MAC) will be in search of becoming bowl-eligible for the second consecutive season. Ball State has gone to bowl games in back-to-back campaigns twice in program history: 2007-08 and 2012-13.

Many of the preseason goals are still in play, despite the quest to repeat as Mid-American Conference champions ending last week as Northern Illinois kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired.

"I'm proud of the guys for having a good attitude and regrouping this week," Ball State head coach Mike Neu said. "Last Wednesday was difficult, but we challenged the guys when we got together Friday to make sure that we move full speed ahead. I like where are guys are at. We've got a good football team coming here in Central Michigan."

The team has approached the practice field and meetings this week with the same laser-like focus, keeping in tune with the team's motto "one at a time."

"Right now, all we can control is how we finish the season," Neu added. "We've got two games left that are guaranteed together. Our focus is only on Central Michigan right now, and it's a good team. Coach (Jim) McElwain has done a good job there. We've got to play our best brand of football Wednesday night."

The Chippewas (6-4, 4-2) come into the mid-week matchup with one of the most explosive offenses in the conference with the MAC's top passing attack (282.9 yards per game) and the league's leading rusher in Lew Nichols III, who averages 129.7 yards per game, including 152.2 in league play.

The Cardinals had success in stopping Central Michigan's offense in last season's 45-20 win in Mount Pleasant, Mich. Ball State limited the opposition to just 342 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers, highlighted by interceptions from Brett Anderson II and J.T. Wahee.

While the loss last week may sting, it hasn't deterred the Cardinals' leadership heading down the home stretch of the 2021 season.

"We can't change anything that has happened," Neu said. "It is in the rearview mirror. We're moving ahead. The younger guys are going to take the lead of our veterans and I'm proud of those guys. We've got a lot left to play for. There's a lot left to accomplish."

The game will be carried on 104.1 WLBC, online at BallStateSports.com and on the Varsity Network app with the Ball State Radio Network trio of Joel Godett, Rich Spisak and Jack McMullen breaking down the action. The game will also be available on ESPNU with Mike Couzens and Dustin Fox on the call.

Inside the Series: Central Michigan

Ball State and Central Michigan are scheduled to face off for the 54th time in series history Wednesday night inside Scheumann Stadium. The all-time series is tied 26-26-1. The Cardinals have won eight of the last 13 overall, including two of the last three. However, the Chippewas have won the last three that have taken place in Muncie.

Home field has not necessarily been an advantage for each program as the road team has won 27 of 53 meetings all-time. In fact, each team holds a winning record on the opposition's home turf. Ball State's best stretch in the series came between 1987-2003 when the Cardinals won 13 of 17 against the Chippewas.

Coach Neu on Central Michigan...
"Lew Nichols is one of the best young running backs in this league. He's been very consistent week in and week out. They've got weapons around him with Kalil Pimpleton and JaCorey Sullivan. Those guys are playing well. They good a job of mixing it up offensively, spreading the ball around. We've got to play good defense. We saw a lot of these guys a year ago when we had an opportunity to play them a year ago. Defensively, they're a good football team. My hat goes off to the job that Coach McElwain has done. For us, we've got to make sure that we play good, sound and complete team football. We need to play well in all phases to have an opportunity to win on Wednesday night."

Winning the Turnover Battle

After beginning the year minus-5 in turnover margin through first four games, Ball State has been plus-9 since then with only two turnovers over the last six games. In the first four games, the Cardinals were outscored 31-0 in points off turnovers. In the past six games, Ball State has scored 48 points off turnovers while allowing only seven.

Finally Back Home

Ball State is set to play second home game in over a month as the Cardinals spent four of the previous five games on the road. Ball State is one of just four teams in the country to play four road league games in a span of five games overall in the 2021 season, joined by fellow MAC opponent Kent State, as well as NC State and Virginia Tech.

‘A lot left to accomplish’ as Cardinals return home to face Chippewas

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Players Mentioned

Brett Anderson II

J.T. Wahee