Dunner, White Look for MAC-Opening Win in Front of Family, Friends

Game 5
Battle for the Bronze Stalk
Ball State (1-3, 0-0 MAC) at Northern Illinois (1-3, 0-0 MAC)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 5
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.
Location: DeKalb, Ill. (Huskie Stadium)
Watch: ESPN3 | Listen: WLBC 104.1 FM | Live Stats
Social: @BallStateFB, @BallStateSports, #ChirpChirp, #WeFly, #OTM
Game Notes: Ball State (PDF) | Northern Illinois (PDF)

Malik Dunner and Jacob White have been asking for lots of tickets.

Sure, they have their typical allotment of four. But that won't nearly be enough for this game. Between the two of them, they expect to have somewhere in the neighborhood of 75 friends and family members on hand for Ball State's visit to Northern Illinois. They're hoping to cover as many as they can with unused tickets from teammates.

It's the last chance for both guys to play in front of basically a hometown crowd. Dunner hails from 45 minutes way in Carpentersville, White from about an hour away in Clarendon Hills. Both are seniors.

"It's kind of an annoying process to ask everyone on the team, but I'm excited to go home," White said. "Once I get the pads on Saturday, I'm sure it will sink in a little more, but for now it's just business as usual."

Both guys wound up in Muncie despite their close proximity to the DeKalb, Illinois, campus. Dunner once attended a Huskies' Junior Day, but his first offer was from Ball State and he never looked back. His fans back home will see the former running back and two-time All-MAC return man lined up at receiver for the first time.

White, whose parents went to school at NIU, took an official visit there as a fullback but committed to the Cardinals at linebacker after a late offer. His 11.5 tackles per game this year (17.5 per over the past two) rank fifth in the country.

The chances to play close to home have been few and far between … really just the games at Illinois and NIU two years ago. White got to make the trip to Northwestern in his redshirt season but didn't play.

"It's great to have the chance for people to come out … coaches from high school, family, friends," Dunner said, "to be able to go back home and show them I can play Division I football."

Saturday's game also provides an opportunity for the duo and their teammates to do some big things on the field, namely snapping an ugly streak.

It's no secret the Huskies have held the upper hand lately in this Bronze Stalk rivalry, riding a 10-game series winning streak into this matchup. And while every week is important, that fact is not lost on these guys.

"That's way too long," White said. "It's definitely added motivation. We've been seeing pictures of the trophy around the facility. That's the goal. We're going to do everything we can to get it."

A win would also start Ball State at 1-0 in MAC play with a key road victory over a program always in contention for the league crown. The Cardinals flashed a lot of good signs in the non-conference slate despite a 1-3 start, and now is when it really matters. Their goals all stand right in front of them.

"They were MAC champions last year, and it's our first MAC game," Dunner said. "We're looking at it like we're 0-0, so it's a big game."

Dunner, White Look for MAC-Opening Win in Front of Family, Friends

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Malik Dunner

Jacob White

Dunner, White Look for MAC-Opening Win in Front of Family, Friends

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Malik Dunner

Jacob White

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