When Ball State University travels to Lincoln, Neb., Saturday to play one of the most historical programs in college football, most fans won't be giving the Cardinals a legitimate chance of winning.
Perhaps the ones who will believe Ball State can win will be the players on the Ball State roster. However, Cardinals junior captain and starting center Dan Gerberry said that's all the people his team needs to believe.
"It's not so much who you're playing, it's how you believe you're going to do," Gerberry said. "If you feel like you're going to go up to Nebraska and get your butts kicked, you're going to. But if you feel like you can go out there and compete with them and play to the best of your ability - no matter if it's Nebraska or anybody - you're going to do better."
The Cardinals' morale is already higher than usual after a 34-31 overtime victory at the Naval Academy last Saturday. The win improved Ball State's record to 2-1 for the first time since 1995, the first year Bill Lynch was the coach at Ball State.
For a program that hasn't had a winning record since 1996, sophomore receiver Dante Love said last week's win made his team even hungrier for success.
"Coming off the big win last week gives us a big confidence boost," Love said. "But we're not going to rest on that. Us beating Navy makes us want to come out and play even harder."
The Cardinals have also been able to compete with bigger programs last season. Ball State lost to Indiana University by one point at home and dropped a 34-26 decision at then-No. 2 University of Michigan last season.
Love said one of the reasons the Cardinals have been able to compete well against programs in power conferences is because the players have risen to the challenge.
"I just want to show everybody that I want to play with the best," Love said. "And I think that's the way the other players on this team feel. We're not going to go in and be frightened about a big crowd. I'm really looking forward to this game. I pray I bring my A game."
Since the loss to Michigan the Cardinals have won four consecutive road contests. Ball State coach Brady Hoke hopes that trend continues Saturday in Lincoln.
"I think there's less distractions you have to deal with on the road," Hoke said. "I also think our guys get excited about playing in different venues and we've been fortunate enough to play in some awfully traditional and storied programs the last couple years."
Though he didn't promise a fifth straight road victory, Hoke said his team has prepared for Nebraska with the intention of winning.
"Why would you work as hard as you work 12 months a year not to go out every Saturday with the visions of winning?" Hoke asked rhetorically. "Why would you do it? We've [worked hard every day this week] so that come [kickoff] Saturday we go out there with the intent of winning a football game. It would be ridiculous not to have that attitude. They're a good football team and a great program. They're well coached and tough guys and everything that you want in a team. So it's our opportunity to go out there and see what kind of team we are."
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