DEKALB, Ill. – Ball State again was 15 minutes from a real shot at beating Northern Illinois University.
But like the previous two seasons, Ball State fell apart again in the fourth quarter, losing 48-27 Wednesday night.
Along with the loss, Ball State’s dream at a Mid-American Conference title game is realistically gone while the crowd at Huskie Stadium chanted “B-C-S.”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to dwell on it,” quarterback Keith Wenning said. “Anytime you lose it sucks.”
Ball State (9-2, 6-1 MAC) and Northern Illinois entered the fourth quarter tied at 27-27. Wenning couldn’t convert a short third down, giving the ball back to Northern Illinois. Two plays into the drive, it appeared the Cardinals’ fourth quarter luck against the two-time defending MAC Champions had changed.
Huskies’ quarterback Jordan Lynch hit a wide-open Da’Ron Brown deep over the middle for a 54-yard pass with cornerback Eric Patterson in pursuit. Patterson jarred the ball loose from Brown and safety Brian Jones fell on it as several Northern Illinois players fell on him.
All of a sudden, Ball State had taken the momentum on the road in the fourth quarter.
But the Cardinals’ offense stalled immediately after getting into opposing territory. Ball State’s offense stalled throughout the second half, mustering only three points on 214 total yards.
Meanwhile, Northern Illinois (10-0, 6-0 MAC) put up 303 second half offensive yards, including a 21-point outburst in the game’s final five minutes.
“We moved the ball and had long drives,” Wenning said. “But then the drive would just stall. I think that’s what the difference was between the first half and second half. Just a matter of finishing drives.”
Lynch finished the game with an efficient 26-for-32 passing with 345 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 123 yards with two rushing touchdowns. His performance Wednesday night put him in serious consideration for an invitation to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation.
“Obviously he’s a very good player,” head coach Pete Lembo said. “He’s very fast and built like a linebacker. But he’s got tailback speed.”
Wenning put up impressive numbers of his own, throwing 35 for 49 for 324 yards and a touchdown. But a pick-six late in the game contributed to the blow out score.
With the MAC West crown at stake for Ball State Wednesday night, the loss will sting more than the previous losses to Northern Illinois.
“We’re not stupid, we knew what was on the line,” Wenning said. “It definitely hurts. But a loss is a loss the end of the day.”
The Cardinals still have a shot at a 10-win season with the regular season finale against Miami of Ohio on Nov. 29. A 10th win should help Ball State’s bowl destination, which could be a MAC tie-in bowl game.
The players will dwell on the loss on the bus ride back to Muncie, but Lembo isn’t concerned about his team not being ready for the RedHawks.
“They will [be ready],” Lembo said. “They’ve been awesome from day one. That’s not going to change on game 12 in year three … we still have a lot to play for.”
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