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FACTS & STATS: Site: Scheumann Stadium (22,500) -- Muncie, Indiana. Television: ESPN Game Plan. Home Record: Toledo 1-0, Ball State 0-2. Away Record: Toledo 1-1, Ball State 0-2. Neutral Record: Toledo 0-1, Ball State 0-0. Conference Record: Toledo 0-0, Ball State 0-0. Series Record: Ball State leads, 17-16-1.

GAME NOTES: Ball State will attempt to earn its first victory on the season when the Cardinals open Mid-American Conference action this Saturday afternoon at Scheumann Stadium against the Toledo Rockets.

This is also the conference opener for Toledo, which is coming off a hard- fought, 41-31 decision over Florida International. It was the second victory on the season for the Rockets, who also defeated Colorado, 54-38, earlier in the year. Toledo has suffered through three straight losing seasons in MAC play, recording an 8-16 ledger during that time frame.

As for the Cardinals, they have yet to taste victory in 2009. Ball State has dropped all four of its matchups thus far with the latest setback coming as the most embarrassing of the bunch; a 54-30 defeat at the hands of the Auburn Tigers. Last season the Cardinals were a perfect 6-0 at home, but the team has already dropped its first two matchups at Scheumann Stadium.

This will be the 35th consecutive season that Toledo and Ball State will meet on the gridiron. The Cardinals, who have won the last three showdowns by a combined score of 92-37, currently hold a slim 17-16-1 edge over the Rockets in the all-time series.

The Rockets could have one of the more surprising offensive unit in the MAC this season, as the team is producing 473.2 total ypg and that has led to an equally impressive 31.5 ppg. DaJuane Collins leads a ground attack that is averaging 152.8 ypg with 360 yards and four touchdowns on 6.5 yards per attempt. Quarterback Aaron Opelt has contributed 126 yards and three scores on the ground, but the signal caller has been even better with his arm, throwing for 1,282 yards and nine scores, while completing 57.5 percent of his throws. Toledo showcased its offensive prowess in the recent win over FIU, as the Rockets exploded for 566 total yards. Collins once again paced the team on the ground with 151 yards and two touchdowns, while Opelt finished with 343 yards through the air and three total touchdowns (two passing and one running). Stephen Williams and Eric Page also played big roles in the win, as Williams finished with 116 yards on six receptions, while Page hauled in both TD passes to go along with five catches and 113 yards.

Unfortunately the defense has done little to take pressure off the offensive unit, as the Rockets come into this weekend allowing 470.0 total ypg, and that has led to a whopping 39.8 ppg. Toledo has been unable to stop the run or pass, as the defense is being gashed for 201.2 rushing ypg, and another 268.8 ypg through the air. One bright spot for this unit has been its ability to force mistakes, as the Rockets have already collected 11 turnovers on the year (eight interceptions and three fumbles). In the win against FIU, the Rockets surrendered 372 yards and that led to 31 points, but fortunately the offense bailed out the defense from its lackluster performance. Toledo held the Golden Panthers to just 3.5 ypc, but still allowed 148 rushing yards and three scores on the ground and the inability to stop the run has to be a growing concern for coach Tim Beckman. However the defense did force two turnovers and also walked away from the contest with two sacks. Archie Donald had himself a fine game, as the linebacker collected 18 tackles in the win.

Last year the Cardinals possessed one of the most dangerous offensive units in the nation, but those days are long gone as Ball State heads into conference action averaging just 267.8 total ypg, and that has translated to only 18.2 ppg. MiQuale Lewis, who was on the All-MAC First Team last season, has struggled thus far in '09, rushing for just 185 yards and two scores on a pedestrian 3.3 ypc. Quarterback Kelly Page is second on the team with 100 rushing yards, and unfortunately those numbers are better than the ones he is putting up with his arm. After four games Page has completed less than 50 percent of his throws for only 509 yards and has just three touchdowns against five interceptions. Ball State's lack of success offensively continued in the team's recent loss to Auburn as the Cardinals tallied just 260 total yards. BSU rushed for 146 yards, but it was Eric Williams that led the way, churning out 59 yards on 11 totes. As for Lewis, him and Cory Sykes both rushed for 44 yards apiece, while Lewis also scored the first points of the game. Page also scored a rushing touchdown for the Cardinals, but the signal caller only finished with 101 yards and one score through the air.

On top of the minimal production put forth by the offense, the Ball State defense has also had a tough time finding its niche, as the team is currently surrendering 414.8 total yards and that has led to 30.2 ppg. Out of the 14 touchdowns allowed by this defense, eight have come through the air. The problem for this unit has not come against the pass, but instead against the run. With four games already played it is evident that the Cardinals are incapable of stopping the opponent's rushing attacks, as the team comes into this game allowing 216.8 ypg on 4.8 yards per attempt. The woes for Ball State's defense continued in the loss to Auburn, as the Cardinals were peppered for 54 points on 560 total yards of offense. Ball State had no answers for Auburn's passing or rushing attack, as the team allowed 254 yards on the ground and another 306 yards through the air. Ball State did force two turnovers in the loss, but finished the game with zero sacks and also allowed Auburn to convert on all three of its red zone chances.

The Cardinals showed some life offensively against Auburn, but as long as the defense is unable to stop the run, Ball State will continue to lose. Look for the Rockets to run right through BSU en route to their first league win on the year.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Toledo 45, Ball State 30