Cardinals Drop Nonconference Matchup at Northwestern

Saturday, October 10

Evanston, IL

12:30 p.m. ET (11:30 a.m. CT)

Ball State University

1-5 , 0-2

Northwestern

4-1 , 1-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Ball St.	0	14	0	0	14
Northwestern	14	17	14	0	45

Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics

Cardinals Drop Nonconference Matchup at Northwestern

October 10, 2026 | Football

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. – The Ball State football team took a break from conference play to meet Big Ten foe Northwestern at Ryan Field Saturday afternoon, falling 45-14.

The Cardinals' (1-5, 0-1 MAC) 14 points scored against the Wildcats (4-1, 1-1 B1G) marks the most by Ball State against a B1G opponent since recording 24 versus Indiana in 2019. Further reflecting the Cardinals' offensive success is a comparison with Northwestern's defense against last week's opponent, Penn State. The Wildcats raced past the Nittany Lions 34-13 in their grand opening of the New Ryan Field last week. Penn State managed 20 first downs and 291 yards of total offense against the Wildcats' juggernaut defense. Ball State, despite its defeat, produced 22 first downs and 360 yards behind Keldric Luster and an offense that held the ball for nearly 34 minutes, converted five third-down plays, and four fourth-down chances.

Ball State saw its longest drives of the second half during its final two series in the fourth quarter. Before an 83-yard drive that ended inside the red zone as the game clock reached zero, the Cardinals attempted a 51-yard field goal that went wide left at the end of a 43-yard possession. While the Cardinals were unable to get on the board in the second half, the unit covered 168 total yards, surpassing Northwestern's 148.

The Cardinals had a slow start inside Ryan Field, totaling 57 yards compared to 152 yards by the Wildcats in the opening quarter. Northwestern capitalized on Ball State's struggle to move down the field, jumping ahead with 14 unanswered points. Ball State found a groove in the following quarter, compiling 135 total yards -- just one yard shy of Northwestern's 136. The Cardinals captured two touchdowns in the second quarter, strung together by TJ Horton and Jamarion McDougle.

Horton's fifth rushing touchdown of the season gave the Cardinals their first successful series inside the red zone of the day. The score was set up by a 46-yard connection between Donovan Hamilton and Luster -- the longest completed pass of Luster's collegiate career. Alex Scherle initially ended the drive with a 21-yard reception that was ruled a touchdown but was ultimately called one yard from the goal line.

The Cardinals nearly outscored Northwestern, 14-10, in the second quarter, but a Ball State interception gifted the Wildcats a pick-six opportunity, feeding a 31-14 gap to conclude the first half.

Luster threw for over 200 yards in the second straight game, tallying 209. He completed 27-of-41 passes with one touchdown. Tyler Mizzell and Mason Atkins also made appearances, with Mizzell completing 4-of-5 passes for 51 yards throughout the day. Atkins came in for a snap late in Ball State's final drive of the contest, completing a short pass to Elijah Jackson for 10 yards in his first collegiate appearance.

Jabari Smith led the receivers with a career-high seven catches for 64 yards, followed by McDougle who had 28 yards from his own career-high of six receptions.

Defensively, the Cardinals were paced by Kaleb Stewart who had eight tackles, including one sack for a loss of two yards in the third period. Along with the sack, five different Cardinals recorded a tackle for loss.

The offense proved its value in week six of the 2026 campaign while the defense was outmanned by the Big Ten Wildcats. But the Cardinals' biggest Achilles' heel on Saturday was its collection of penalties -- a program record 15 yellow flags for a total of 119 yards.

Ball State stays on the road as it returns to conference action next week, at Bowling Green on Oct. 17, with kickoff slated for noon.