DEKALB, Ill. – Facing fourth-and-three from the Northern Illinois 38-yard line late in the second quarter, Ball State coach Pete Lembo kept his offense on the field. Quarterback Keith Wenning and wide receiver Jamill Smith rewarded his bold decision with a 38-yard touchdown pass and the Cardinals took a 24-14 lead at halftime.
The touchdown ended the Huskies' streak of 14-unanswered points to start the second quarter. Northern Illinois tied the game with a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chandler Harnish to wide receiver Martel Moore and a four-yard touchdown run by Jasmin Hopkins.
The Cardinals responded with a seven-play, 72-yard drive, highlighted by Wenning's touchdown strike to Smith. Ball State extended its lead to 10 points with a 40-yard field goal by Steven Schott in the final minute of the first half.
Ball State's defense held the powerful Northern Illinois offense largely in check in the first half. The Cardinals became just the fourth team in 11 games to 14 points or less. The Huskies entered the game averaging 41.6 points per game, ninth best in the nation.
Offensively, Wenning has completed 13 of 18 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown. He also has a rushing touchdown. Torieal Gibson leads the Cardinals with four receptions for 51 yards.
Continue to read bsudailynews.com for updates throughout the game.
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