Ball State keeps record clean w/ win over NIU

From NCAA College Football Information & Resource

November 06, 2008

BCS hopes still within reach for the Cards.

No.16 Ball State continues to sport a spotless record with a 45-14 win over Northern Illinois Wednesday at Scheumann Stadium to keep its hopes of earning a berth for a BCS bowl game alive.

Nate Davis anchored the Cardinal offense after throwing for four touchdowns and running for another with tailback MiQuale Lewis providing ample support with his ninth straight 100-yard game of the season. Davis finished the game completing 18-of-22 passes for 300 yards while Lewis had 19 carries for 119 yards and 1 TD for the Cards (9-0, 5-0).

With his 18 completions, Davis has now improved his career record to 592, breaking Mike Neu's 580.

The Cardinals' offensive onslaught got some huge assistance from its defense which forced the Huskies to a couple of turnovers and five penalties.

One of these penalties practically resulted into a Ball State touchdown in the first quarter. The Cards were facing a 4th and 1 on their own 32 and were ready to punt when Kiaree Daniels was penalized 15 yards for roughing the kicker. What was supposed to be an NIU possession instead extended BSU's drive, ending with Lewis' one-yard scoring plunge.

The Huskies never really got their offense to get going early as Chandler Harnish was intercepted once and the BSU defense forced the NIU offense to punt four times in the second quarter. The Cardinals meanwhile were busy throwing to the endzone with Davis connecting with Darius Hill and Daniel Ifft for a 6 and a 25-yard TD, respectively as they raced to a 3-TD lead at halftime.

NIU finally found the endzone early in the third with a 25-yard TD run from Harnish, but it was one of the few bright spots for the Huskies as the team failed to follow that scoring drive up, atleast not until the Cardinals were already holding a 38-point advantage late in the game.

Louis Johnson led all receivers with six receptions for 165 yards and 1 TD while Hill caught a pair of TD passes for the Cardinals, who outgained the Huskies, 529 to 275.

Harnish, who was 14-for-22 for 115 yards with an interception, also led the Huskies (5-4, 4-2) in rushing with 12 carries for 59 yards.

[edit]