DEKALB, Ill. – The third quarter of Tuesday night's crucial Mid-American Conference West game between Ball State and Northern Illinois was certainly not lacking on excitement. It had everything from a 68-yard fake punt run by Cardinals punter Scott Kovanda to an on-side kick attempt by the Huskies.
After the offensive fireworks, Ball State takes a 31-28 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals' lone score of the quarter came after Kovanda's 68-yard run, the longest rush of the season for Ball State, gave the Cardinals first-and-goal from the two-yard line. After running back Jahwan Edwards lost a yard on first down and an incomplete pass on second down, quarterback Keith Wenning found wide receiver Jack Tomlinson over the middle for a three-yard touchdown pass. Tomlinson's second touchdown of the season gave Ball State a 31-14 lead, its biggest of the game.
Northern Illinois' offense was undeterred, however. Quarterback Chandler Harnish led the Huskies on back-to-back touchdown drives. The first covered 60 yards in just three plays, ending with a 49-yard touchdown run by Harnish.
The Huskies then attempted an onside kick, which was recovered after a few tense moments by wide receiver Connor Ryan. But the Cardinals offense went nowhere and was forced to punt. The Huskies took over at their own nine-yard line and drove 91 yards in nine plays for a touchdown.
As the third quarter ended, Northern Illinois was driving had once again moved into Ball State territory.
Wenning has completed 17 of 29 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns.
Harnish leads the Huskies with 110 rushing yards and has thrown for 261 and two touchdowns.
Continue to read bsudailynews.com for updates throughout the game.
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