The Cardinals were able to steal the win from NIU, hitting a field goal with just two seconds remaining.
The Northern Illinois Huskies (4-4, 1-3 MAC) looked like they were going to escape Muncie with a win and the Bronze Stalk Trophy after Kanon Woodill drilled a 47-yard field goal to give NIU a 23-22 lead with just fifteen seconds remaining in the game.
The Ball State Cardinals (3-5, 2-2 MAC) had other plans.
Quarterback Kadin Semonza found Malcolm Gillie for a 34-yard strike on the first play of the drive and then hit tight end Tanner Koziol for another five yard gain to set up a 52-yard field goal with just five seconds left in the game. Jackson Courville drilled the kick, his fourth field goal of the game, and the Cardinals stunned the Huskies 25-23.
This game was not like the other NIU games, however, as Ball State dominated in time of possession and yardage. They became the first team to outgain NIU, with 392 yards of total offense— a season high against this stout Huskie defense— and converted on 10 of their 18 attempts on third downs. The Huskies had come into the game first in the NCAA on third down defense, allowing teams to convert a mere 20 percent of the time before BSU hit on more than 50 percent of their attempts.
Ball State took an early lead, driving down and scoring on the first possession of the game with Semonza connecting with Koziol for a three-yard TD pass to cap it off. After the teams traded punts, the Huskies would counter with a solid seven-play, 90-yard drive of their own that ended when halfback Antario Brown spun away for a 34-yard touchdown run of his own.
The Cardinals would add a pair of field goals from 24 and 47 yards out, and a touchdown in between a pair of Huskie turnovers (an interception and a fumble.) The touchdown came on a six-yard completion to Koziol, this time but the extra point was missed, putting the margin at 19-7 in favor of Ball State.
Right before the half, NIU would attempt to climb back in the game. After Josh Holst had started for the Huskie, he was replaced by former starter Ethan Hampton. Hampton looked solid on his first drive and the Huskies quickly scored on a 54-yard connection from Hampton to Cam Thompson to cut the lead to five points.
BSU would add another field goal midway through the third quarter, this time from 50 yards out, to extend their lead to eight. The kick was Jackson Courville’s career-high to that point, soaring straight down the middle with plenty of room left. Antario Brown would score his second touchdown of the game on the very next possession, this time from six yards out, to get NIU to within two. On the crucial two-point attempt to try and tie the game up, Hampton found Cam Thompson wide-open in the back of the end zone, but Thompson juggled the ball and it fell behind him, keeping the Cardinals ahead at 22-20.
After a Ball State punt, the Huskies would turn the ball over a third time, this time on a batted pass which burst up into the air and right into the waiting arms of linebacker Joey Stemler. However, they wouldn’t be able to capitalize on the mistake, as Ball State botched the operation, allowing Santana Banner to block the 33-yard attempt.
NIU then went on a 12-play, 50 yard drive that led to the go-ahead Woodill field goal with fifteen seconds left. Courville’s walk-off 52-yard field goal would break the career-high he set earlier in the contest.
For the Cardinals, Semonza finished 20-of-33 with 211 yards and two TDs, while Koziol had nine grabs for 78 yards and both scores. Vaughn Pemberton and Braedon Sloan carried the ball well for BSU, with Pemberton having 69 yards on 14 rushes and Sloan netting 51 yards on 17 carries.
Hampton finished the day 17-of-32 with 176 yards and a touchdown and a pick while Holst was 7-of-10 with 64 yards and a pick. Brown had 62 yards on 11 carries with freshman Telly Johnson having a nice day, going 48 yards on six rushes. Thompson led all receivers with 125 yards on his seven grabs.
Up next for Ball State is the Miami RedHawks. That game will be on Tuesday, November 5th, with the time and channel yet to be announced.
The Huskies also get an extended week, as they are off until Wednesday, November 6th, when they head to Kalamazoo to take on Western Michigan. The game kicks off a 7 p.m. EST.