Photo by: Bobby Ellis/Ball State University
Cardinals Look to Improve Road Performance in Bronze Stalk Clash at NIU
October 20, 2025 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – As the Ball State football program prepares for week eight's rivalry game at Northern Illinois Oct. 25, head coach Mike Uremovich, Darin Conley and Qua Ashley discussed the importance of energy and consistency in front of the media Monday morning.
The Cardinals enter this week looking to improve their road performance, going 0-4 in road contests so far in 2025. Uremovich emphasized that focus and discipline against the Huskies is required to find a win in Dekalb, Ill.
"We are trying to play better on the road than we have up to this point," Uremovich said. "It's part of growing up as a team and being mature to handle different changes in environment. We need to have a good week of practice and then go out and play well on Saturday."
The Bronze Stalk Trophy adds another layer of motivation for Ball State, as this year's meeting could be the last between the programs for several seasons, with NIU joining the Mountain West Conference in 2026 as a football only member.
"To me personally, it means a lot, because this is going to be the last time we play NIU for a long time," Conley said. "The history with this trophy, what it means — we want to have this trophy. It's important to have it in the building for as long as possible."
Ashley expressed the key to success on the road will be maintaining energy and focus throughout the week.
"It's going to be a big game, and we're going to have a different mentality this week," Ashley said. "If we have good energy, then we can come out victorious."
Ball State and Northern Illinois meet Saturday at Huskie Stadium, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT. The Cardinals then return home for the program's only mid-week Mid-American Conference game versus Kent State Nov. 5. Tickets to the game are available here.
The Cardinals enter this week looking to improve their road performance, going 0-4 in road contests so far in 2025. Uremovich emphasized that focus and discipline against the Huskies is required to find a win in Dekalb, Ill.
"We are trying to play better on the road than we have up to this point," Uremovich said. "It's part of growing up as a team and being mature to handle different changes in environment. We need to have a good week of practice and then go out and play well on Saturday."
The Bronze Stalk Trophy adds another layer of motivation for Ball State, as this year's meeting could be the last between the programs for several seasons, with NIU joining the Mountain West Conference in 2026 as a football only member.
"To me personally, it means a lot, because this is going to be the last time we play NIU for a long time," Conley said. "The history with this trophy, what it means — we want to have this trophy. It's important to have it in the building for as long as possible."
Ashley expressed the key to success on the road will be maintaining energy and focus throughout the week.
"It's going to be a big game, and we're going to have a different mentality this week," Ashley said. "If we have good energy, then we can come out victorious."
Ball State and Northern Illinois meet Saturday at Huskie Stadium, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT. The Cardinals then return home for the program's only mid-week Mid-American Conference game versus Kent State Nov. 5. Tickets to the game are available here.
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