Ball State University
2-8 , 0-6
Northern Illinois
7-3 , 5-1
Football Drops Final Road Game at NIU
November 09, 2017 | Football
Riley Miller, Malik Dunner score touchdowns for Cardinals
Sophomore receiver Riley Miller caught his first career touchdown pass for the Cardinals, and sophomore running back Malik Dunner scored his team-leading seventh touchdown of the year.
Northern Illinois (7-3, 5-1 MAC) managed touchdowns on its first four drives of the game and also blocked a punt for a touchdown on the way to a 35-7 halftime lead.
Ball State (2-8, 0-6 MAC) scored on its first possession of the second half when senior quarterback Jack Milas came off the bench to engineer an 11-play, 89-yard drive. Dunner capped it with a 4-yard touchdown run, as the Cardinals looked to build some momentum.
"We had some self-inflicted wounds and gave up some explosive plays," Ball State coach Mike Neu said. "We went in at half and challenged the guys to make sure we come out and fight, scratch and claw for 30 minutes in the second half. I'm proud of their effort in the second half."
But NIU answered with a 10-play touchdown drive and pulled away as the second half progressed. Huskie quarterback Marcus Childers hit only 10 passes for 141 yards in the game but completed four of those for touchdowns.
Milas and redshirt freshman Drew Plitt combined to complete 19 of 30 passes for 162 yards for Ball State, and Plitt connected with Miller for a score in the first quarter. But Northern Illinois out-gained BSU 222-83 on the ground and forced the Cardinals to punt 11 times on the night.
A pair of true freshmen led Ball State in receiving, with Khalil Newton catching six passes for 80 yards and Justin Hall, the MAC leader in receptions per game, hauling in eight grabs for 48 yards. Newton has nine catches for 155 yards over the past two games.
"Khalil has done a good job of taking on more of a role," Neu said. "He's worked hard. He's made some plays in practice, and I think he's seeing the results of his hard work all year long. We're seeing some explosive plays from him because of the skill set he has."
Ball State will return home to play its final two games of the season. The Cardinals will host Buffalo on Thursday, Nov. 16 on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m., and will welcome Miami on Tuesday, Nov. 21 for the season finale.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
Team Stats
BALL 0, NIU 7
NIU - WIMANN, Shane 4 yd pass from CHILDERS, Marcu (HAGAN, Christia kick) 12 plays, 55 yards, TOP 3:56
BALL 7, NIU 7
BALL - MILLER, Riley 23 yd pass from PLITT, Drew (HAGEE, Morgan kick) 7 plays, 66 yards, TOP 2:52
BALL 7, NIU 14
NIU - HUFF, Jordan 24 yd pass from CHILDERS, Marcu (HAGAN, Christia kick) 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:00
BALL 7, NIU 21
NIU - ABRESCH, Jackso 13 yd blocked punt return (HAGAN, Christia kick)
BALL 7, NIU 28
NIU - BROWN, D.J. 6 yd run (HAGAN, Christia kick), 8 plays, 61 yards, TOP 2:38
BALL 7, NIU 35
NIU - BRINKMAN, Mitch 5 yd pass from CHILDERS, Marcu (HAGAN, Christia kick) 3 plays, 41 yards, TOP 1:11
BALL 14, NIU 35
BALL - DUNNER, Malik 4 yd run (HAGEE, Morgan kick), 11 plays, 89 yards, TOP 5:15
BALL 14, NIU 42
NIU - BLAKE, Christia 19 yd pass from CHILDERS, Marcu (HAGAN, Christia kick) 10 plays, 71 yards, TOP 3:27
BALL 14, NIU 49
NIU - HUFF, Jordan 35 yd run (HAGAN, Christia kick), 1 plays, 35 yards, TOP 0:08
BALL 17, NIU 49
BALL - HAGEE, Morgan 21 yd field goal 4 plays, 2 yards, TOP 1:30
BALL 17, NIU 56
NIU - WESLEY, Jauan 70 yd pass from SANTACATERINA (HAGAN, Christia kick) 3 plays, 73 yards, TOP 1:33
BALL 17, NIU 63
NIU - ABRESCH, Jackso 0 yd blocked punt return (HAGAN, Christia kick)
