Amongst a sea of red, a sign is visible as it adds a comic relief to the otherwise blue coated concrete of the second level seating at the once popular Skydome (now just another concrete eyesore of Toronto’s landscape that was renamed the Rogers Centre when Canada’s media mogul Ted Rogers and his Rogers Communication Inc. purchased the building). The sign reads Go Balls in encouragement for the Ball State Cardinals football team as they play in their first International bowl game against the Scarlet Knights from Rutgers University.
The domed stadium has not been treated to such an exciting atmosphere since the Blue Jays captured their second consecutive World Series. The Rutgers fans seem to far outnumber those supporting the opposing Ball State University as the lyrics of their fight song “The Bells Must Ring” are heard clearly above the seemingly quiet din of the Cardinals cheers. The beer lines are the only things longer than the side-lines while the anticipation of opening kick-off reaches its peak as the school’s marching bands take to the field one after the other adding to the pre-game drama.
The domed stadium has not been treated to such an exciting atmosphere since the Blue Jays captured their second consecutive World Series. The Rutgers fans seem to far outnumber those supporting the opposing Ball State University as the lyrics of their fight song “The Bells Must Ring” are heard clearly above the seemingly quiet din of the Cardinals cheers. The beer lines are the only things longer than the side-lines while the anticipation of opening kick-off reaches its peak as the school’s marching bands take to the field one after the other adding to the pre-game drama.
Once the game begins, the Scarlet Knights don’t disappoint their minions and quickly take control of the game as they “march to another score”. Rutgers ends the first half of the game up 24-9 and has no intentions of letting up in the second half. Ray Rice runs for a Rutgers school record 280 yards complete with four touchdowns in his eighth straight game rushing 100-yards or more (another school record). Rice also becomes the fifth player in the history of NCAA Division 1 football to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season as he leads Rutgers to a dominant 52-30 victory and their second consecutive bowl game win.
As the gatorade splashes over the coaches at the end of the game, the chant of "one more year" echoes throughout the building while the Ball State portion of the 31,455 fans make the long walk up the stairs. As a junior, the star of the game, Ray Rice, has the option of entering the NFL draft and hence forefeiting his last year of eligible play in NCAA sports. But that question will have to wait, for now, he will enjoy every moment of the victory for that sparkling grape juice will taste even sweeter out of the International Bowl. Congratulations Rutgers, your flag will definately fly high tonight.
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