Ball State brings their 3-1 football team to Norman to take on the No. 1 (or No. 2 depending on your favorite poll) for a 6 pm game on Saturday. This is the first time Ball State has played Oklahoma.
So, understandably, most Sooner fans know little about them.
Here are the answers to the key questions about Ball State, courtesy of Soonerguys Hunter and Alex:
Q: Just where is Ball State University?
Hunter: It’s in Ohio.
Alex: Yes, it’s in Ohio. Or it might be Illinois. One of those states up there.
(Answer: Municie, Indiana).
Q: What is Ball State’s mascot?
Hunter: It’s a bird. Some bird. A falcon, I think.
Alex: Cardinals. I say that because I know I’m right. David Letterman is an alum and he wears that Cardinals cap.
(Answer: Charlie Cardinal)
Q: In what conference is Ball State?
Hunter: The “Whack” Conference.
Alex: Conference USA. Or the MAC.
(Answer: The Mid-American Conference.)
Q: What is the Ball State coach’s first name?
Hunter: It’s Peter.
Alex: John. John something.
Answer: Close enough, Hunter. It’s Pete Lembo.
Q: How many Ball State alums are in the NFL?
Hunter: Exactly four.
Alex: Five. Max.
Answer: Four. Andre Ramsey (Ravens), Brad Maynard (Browns), Reggie Hodges (Browns) and Dan Gerberry (Lions).
Q: Who is Ball State’s most famous graduate?
Hunter: They have graduates? Oh, David Letterman, of course.
Alex: Yeah, it’s Dave.
Answer: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and former United States Ambassador to Lebanon, Jeffrey D. Feltman. Well, and Jim Davis, the cartoonist creater of Garfield. Oh, and David Letterman too.
Q: What is the most famous building on the Ball State campus?
Hunter: Who cares?
Alex: The gym (for the “Balls”).
Answer: The David Letterman Communication and Media Building.
Q: How many points will Ball State score on the Sooners?
Hunter: 10.
Alex: 17.
Answer: Hey, who knows? 7 at best.
Other facts about the Ball State football team:
This season: Defeated Indiana 27-20, lost to South Florida 37-7, defeated Buffalo 28-25, and defeated Army 48-21.
On October 5, 2008, Ball State was ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time in team history, and reached a ranking as high as 12th in the nation during the course of the season. Ball State completed their 2008 regular season games with a record of 12-1 and a conference record of 8-1.
They won the MAC West Division Championship before falling to Buffalo in the MAC Championship at Ford Field in Detroit. Shortly after the departure of the head coach, Brady Hoke, Ball State lost to Tulsa University in the GMAC Bowl on January 6, 2009 by a score of 45-13. Hoke later became the coach of the Michigan Wolverines.
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