Ball State University
4-8 , 3-5
Northern Illinois
9-2 , 7-0
Football Suffers Loss to Northern Illinois
November 20, 2010 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State football team (4-8, 3-5 MAC) ended its season with a 59-21 loss to Mid-American Conference leader Northern Illinois (9-2, 7-0 MAC) Saturday afternoon at Scheumann Stadium.
"Well that wasn't what I was expecting," Ball State head coach Stan Parrish says. "They are a very good team, but you cannot make it easy for them. They make you play sloppy because they are aggressive. To have a chance you have got to play your "A" game and we did not."
After falling behind 35-7 at the half, Ball State received the ball to open the second half. Sophomore quarterback Kelly Page, who replaced an injured Keith Wenning in the first half, took the Cardinals down the field with a scoring drive that included nine plays and 80 yards, while shaving 3:39 off the clock. The drive ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Eric Williams, making the score 35-14.
"When your number is called, you have to go out there and make plays," Page says. "You are playing the game you love, you play through some pain if you have to. We just did not get the job done today, but give them credit, Northern Illinois has a very, very good defense."
The Cardinals fell behind in the first half, but made some big plays to keep the game close. For the second time in the game Ball State's defense forced NIU to kick a field goal with 7:11 left to play in the third quarter. Senior defensive tackle Robert Eddins blocked the kick and on the ensuing Cardinals offensive possession Page would connect on a career long 80-yard scoring strike to freshman wide receiver Jack Tomlinson closing the Cardinals gap to 34-21. The touchdown also marked a career long reception for Tomlinson and the sixth TD of the season for the freshman.
Ball State's defense in the final quarter was highlighted by senior Davyd Jones intercepting the first pass of his career.
Page completed 7-of-13 passes for 131 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Williams was the team's top rusher with 63 yards and two TDs on 13 carries. Tomlinson led the Cardinals with six catches for 106 yards and one touchdown.
GAME NOTES:
Ball State's punt was blocked with 1:53 left in the first quarter vs. NIU . . . The last time this happened was October 31, 2009 vs. Ohio.
Robert Eddins forced a fumble for the third time of the season and seventh time in his career with 34 seconds left in the first vs. NIU.
Eric Williams had his fifth rushing touchdown of the season and tenth of his career with 11:21 left in the third quarter vs. NIU.
NIU's 35-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Rene Perry with 7:11 left in the third quarter vs. NIU. The last time this happened was September 11, 2010 vs. Liberty.
Kelly Page had a career long 80-yard pass that went for a touchdown to Jack Tomlinson with 6:59 left in the third quarter. It was also Tomlinson's career long reception and sixth career touchdown.
Kelly Page is good for a season high for yards with 131 yards vs. NIU.
Davyd Jones had his first career interception with 14:08 left in the fourth quarter vs. NIU.
Team Stats
NIU 7, BALL 0
NIU - PALMER, Nathan 37 yd pass from HARNISH, Chand (CKLAMOVSKI, M kick) 6 plays, 69 yards, TOP 2:54
NIU 14, BALL 0
NIU - WARD, Jimmie 15 yd blocked punt return (CKLAMOVSKI, M kick)
NIU 14, BALL 7
BALL - WILLIAMS, Eric 2 yd run (McGARVEY, Ian kick), 4 plays, 7 yards, TOP 1:02
NIU 21, BALL 7
NIU - PALMER, Nathan 47 yd pass from HARNISH, Chand (CKLAMOVSKI, M kick) 7 plays, 79 yards, TOP 3:24
NIU 28, BALL 7
NIU - SPANN, Chad 2 yd run (CKLAMOVSKI, M kick), 7 plays, 55 yards, TOP 3:15
NIU 35, BALL 7
NIU - SPANN, Chad 7 yd run (CKLAMOVSKI, M kick), 8 plays, 28 yards, TOP 2:34
NIU 35, BALL 14
BALL - WILLIAMS, Eric 3 yd run (McGARVEY, Ian kick), 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:39
NIU 35, BALL 21
BALL - TOMLINSON, Jack 80 yd pass from PAGE, Kelly (McGARVEY, Ian kick) 1 plays, 80 yards, TOP 0:12
NIU 42, BALL 21
NIU - SPANN, Chad 12 yd run (CKLAMOVSKI, M kick), 4 plays, 44 yards, TOP 1:44
NIU 45, BALL 21
NIU - CKLAMOVSKI, M 40 yd field goal 4 plays, 5 yards, TOP 1:45
NIU 52, BALL 21
NIU - CLARK, Tyrone 16 yd interception (CKLAMOVSKI, M kick)
NIU 59, BALL 21
NIU - SKARB, Kyle 4 yd pass from LYNCH, Jordan (CKLAMOVSKI, M kick) 3 plays, 5 yards, TOP 1:28
