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Age irrelevant for Ball State's Crawford, 32: He may be a ?father figure? on team, but he's a defensive force.
by Pete DiPrimio, The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind. , The News-Sentinel
The fact the No. 23 Cardinals are playing their school-record 14th game and that Crawford is at least a decade older than his teammates is as relevant to him as Alabama's national title chances.
"Age has never been a factor for me," he said. "I think it's more an issue for everyone else because it's not ... "the norm," but I take care of my body. You have to take care of it. If something is hurting, go to the trainers and let them know something is wrong."
There is nothing wrong with Crawford. At 6-3 and 260 pounds, he is a defensive force. He has 29 tackles, three sacks, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.
"I run around with the guys and don't get winded. I keep pushing myself. I keep going hard. I feel great."
Crawford's path to college football opportunity is well-documented. He graduated from South Side in 1996, worked in an automotive factory, joined the Marines, received an honorable discharge, enrolled at Ball State at the beginning of summer 2004, left Ball State by the end of summer 2004, returned to Ball State in the fall of 2006 and joined the football team.
As a result, Crawford avoided the nonstop pounding associated with football. That, he said, has left him fresh.
"I was away from the game. A lot of these kids played high school and went straight into college. I was in the military for a while. I didn't take on all that wear and tear they were taking. I had a break and I came in a little more mature."
Maturity carries a teasing cost. Former coach Brady Hoke called Crawford "Craw Daddy." New coach Stan Parrish calls him "Soldier." Teammates call him "Craw Father" or "Old man."
"It's all fun and games," Crawford said.
Tailback MiQuale Lewis can't imagine having that fun when he's 32.
"I can't see myself playing that long," he said. "If I try, I probably wouldn't be able to walk. (Crawford) is a leader, a father figure. He's everything you want in a teammate. He knows what it takes to be successful in life."
Crawford and the rest of the defensive Cardinals face one of the nation's most potent offenses. Tulsa averages 47.4 points a game and has scored at least 45 points eight times, at least 50 points six times.
The Golden Hurricanes (10-3) have impressive balance. They average 254.8 yards rushing and 310.2 yards passing.
Tulsa quarterback
"Any game you play you have to get pressure on the quarterback, but this quarterback even more because if he has time to throw, he can make plays and has playmakers around him," Crawford said. "We have to get him off his launchpad. Get him uneasy. Don't let him throw at will. If we can do that we can make it difficult for him."
Tailback Tarrion Adams has rushed for 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns. Jamad Williams rushed for 457 yards. Four other runners gained at least 215 rushing yards.
Ball State (12-1) has allowed 20 or fewer points eight times, and gives up 18.6 a game. It has 16 interceptions and returned three for touchdowns.
"We don't expect it to be easy," Crawford said. "They're a really good team. We have to bring our 'A' game."
To see more of The News-Sentinel, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.FortWayne.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
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