Thursday, 7 p.m. ET/Huskie Stadium/DeKalb, Ill. /CBSSN
It took a fourth quarter touchdown for Northern Illinois to overcome a Ball State Cardinals challenge in last year’s Battle for the Corn Stalk trophy. The Huskies prevailed 31-24 in that game. Such a scenario would be unexpected this time around as NIU is heavily favored.
Ball State (2-7, 0-5 MAC) has . . .
Ball State (2-7, 0-5 MAC) has . . .
. . . lost its last six outings. All five MAC outings were by wide margins. That can happen when a team ranks 11th of 12 in scoring offense (18.6 ppg) and is last in scoring defense (39.7 ppg).
Northern Illinois, on the other hand, tops the entire conference in defense (19.0 ppg) and is fifth in scoring offense (26.7 ppg).
The Huskies (6-3, 4-1 MAC) lead the all-time series with BSU 22-20-2. Much of that advantage is of recent vintage, with NIU winning the last eight meetings.
Northern Illinois, on the other hand, tops the entire conference in defense (19.0 ppg) and is fifth in scoring offense (26.7 ppg).
The Huskies (6-3, 4-1 MAC) lead the all-time series with BSU 22-20-2. Much of that advantage is of recent vintage, with NIU winning the last eight meetings.
Here is more on the two teams:
NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES (6-3, 4-1 MAC)
>>> NIU is bowl eligible for the 10th time in 11 season, with the Huskies missing out last year.
>>> The Bronze Stalk Trophy was created by a DeKalb artist, with a nod to the agricultural areas near both schools.
>>> Sophomore defensive end Sutton Smith continues to lead the FBS in tackles for loss (2.2 TFL per game), although he was shut out in last week’s loss at Toledo.
>>> Freshman QB Marcus Childers completed 23 of 43 passes for 235 yards with two interceptions at Toledo.
>>> Sophomore Marcus Jones led Northern rushing with 14 carries for 80 yards. He also led the team in receptions (5 for 51 yards).
>>> Tre Harbison and Childers provided NIU’s only touchdowns last week – both on 1-yard runs. Christian Hagin knocked through one of two field goal attempts for the other score.
>>> Three Northern defenders led NIU with nine tackles: Junior CB Albert Smalis, sophomore LB Antonio Jones-Davis and senior LB Bobby Jones IV.
BALL STATE CARDINALS (2-7, 0-5 MAC)
>>> The Cardinals last MAC win was a 31-21 victory at Buffalo Oct. 15, 2016. The last time BSU had more than two MAC wins was 2014, when it won the last two outings to finish 4-4 in MAC play.
>>> Freshman Drew Plitt got the starting call last week against NIU, completing 11 of 21 for 169 yards with two TDs and one interception.
>>> Ball State has used four quarterbacks this year. Collectively, the group has completed 57.1 percent of their passes with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
>>> Quarterback Riley Neal, who is out with an injury, threw for a career-best 393 yards at NIU in 2015.
>>> Freshman Caleb Huntley leads BSU rushers, totaling 137 rushes for 633 yards and 3 scores.
>>> Freshman Justin Hall tops BSU receivers in receptions 57 and receiving yards (605). Freshman tight end Nolan Given has the most receiving touchdowns (3).
>>> Sixteen true freshmen have seen action for the Cardinals through nine games.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES (6-3, 4-1 MAC)
>>> NIU is bowl eligible for the 10th time in 11 season, with the Huskies missing out last year.
>>> The Bronze Stalk Trophy was created by a DeKalb artist, with a nod to the agricultural areas near both schools.
>>> Sophomore defensive end Sutton Smith continues to lead the FBS in tackles for loss (2.2 TFL per game), although he was shut out in last week’s loss at Toledo.
>>> Freshman QB Marcus Childers completed 23 of 43 passes for 235 yards with two interceptions at Toledo.
>>> Sophomore Marcus Jones led Northern rushing with 14 carries for 80 yards. He also led the team in receptions (5 for 51 yards).
>>> Tre Harbison and Childers provided NIU’s only touchdowns last week – both on 1-yard runs. Christian Hagin knocked through one of two field goal attempts for the other score.
>>> Three Northern defenders led NIU with nine tackles: Junior CB Albert Smalis, sophomore LB Antonio Jones-Davis and senior LB Bobby Jones IV.
BALL STATE CARDINALS (2-7, 0-5 MAC)
>>> The Cardinals last MAC win was a 31-21 victory at Buffalo Oct. 15, 2016. The last time BSU had more than two MAC wins was 2014, when it won the last two outings to finish 4-4 in MAC play.
>>> Freshman Drew Plitt got the starting call last week against NIU, completing 11 of 21 for 169 yards with two TDs and one interception.
>>> Ball State has used four quarterbacks this year. Collectively, the group has completed 57.1 percent of their passes with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
>>> Quarterback Riley Neal, who is out with an injury, threw for a career-best 393 yards at NIU in 2015.
>>> Freshman Caleb Huntley leads BSU rushers, totaling 137 rushes for 633 yards and 3 scores.
>>> Freshman Justin Hall tops BSU receivers in receptions 57 and receiving yards (605). Freshman tight end Nolan Given has the most receiving touchdowns (3).
>>> Sixteen true freshmen have seen action for the Cardinals through nine games.
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