Ball State University Athletics
Gameweek: Bronze Stalk Trophy On the Line This Week
October 07, 2015 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State football team aims to return to the win column this weekend when the Cardinals travel to one of the premier programs in the Mid-American Conference, Northern Illinois.
Saturday afternoon's game in DeKalb, Illinois will air ESPN3 beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Beginning in 2008, Ball State and Northern Illinois began playing for the Bronze Stalk Trophy. Designed by nationally recognized sculptor and DeKalb artist Renee Bemis, the trophy depicts several cornstalks in tribute to the prevalence of maize around the respective home states of the rivals.
The Cardinals (2-3, 1-1 MAC) won the initial meeting in 2008, 45-14, but have been looking to regain the trophy since that year. Northern Illinois (2-3, 0-1) capitalized on five Ball State turnovers last year to win in Muncie, 35-21.
Even though Ball State was held to a season low in rushing last week against Toledo, the Cardinals continue to lead the MAC in rushing at 190.8 yards per game. Sophomore RB Darian Green leads the rushing attack with 417 yards, four scores and a 6.5 yards per carry average.
On defense, Ball State continues to force turnovers. The Cardinals forced two more against Toledo and have now forced at least two turnovers in 10 of their past 12 games.
Northern Illinois is 2-0 at home this season, but is coming off three straight road losses. In fact, it is the first time NIU has lost three in a row since the end of the 2009 season. The Huskies committed a season-high four turnovers in last week's 29-19 loss at Central Michigan.
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