Northern Illinois Dominates Ball State 21-7 in Week 9
Northern Illinois controlled the contest throughout, defeating Ball State 21-7 in Week 9. The Huskies scored first with a 53-yard rushing touchdown from T. Johnson Jr. in the first quarter and added two more touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters to secure the victory.
Ball State's only score came in the second quarter. The Cardinals' defense generated some key plays, including an interception by J. Lewis in the first quarter, but ultimately couldn't keep pace offensively. K. Kelly led Ball State's ground game with 86 rushing yards, while Josh Holst completed 65 passing yards for Northern Illinois. Jake Appleget led the Huskies in receiving with 9 catches.
Northern Illinois' defense proved decisive down the stretch, including an interception by J. Beeler in the fourth quarter. The Huskies covered the spread as favorites and won decisively, holding Ball State well below 21 points. The game stayed under the over-under total of 42 points, finishing at 28 combined points.
AI-generated recap · Aug 2, 2026
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ball State | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
 Northern Illinois | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
Scoring Timeline
Drive Chart
Box Score
| Statistic | Ball State | Northern Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | 10-23 | 6-11 |
| Pass Yards | 136 | 65 |
| Rush Yards | 139 | 305 |
| Total Yards | 275 | 370 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 3 |
| 3rd Down | 6-15 | 9-16 |
| Penalties | 4-40 | 4-35 |
| Possession | 29:30 | 30:30 |
Player Leaders
Player Leaders
Play-by-Play
(14:54) No Huddle-Shotgun #9 Q.Ashley rush right for 2 yards gain to the BALL16 (#9 D.Reynolds)
(14:18) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly sacked for loss of 7 yards to the BALL09 (#17 F.Maciorowski), fumble by #1 K.Kelly recovered by BALL #1 K.Kelly at BALL09, End Of Play
(13:40) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush middle for 7 yards gain to the BALL16 (#32 Q.Urwiler; #1 T.Myles)
(12:55) #43 A.Saul punt 44 yards to the NIU40 fair catch by #6 D.Rogers at NIU40
(12:48) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush right for 2 yards gain to the NIU42 (#18 J.Wiegold)
(12:22) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush left for 5 yards gain to the NIU47 (#15 D.Fields; #7 A.Whitner)
(11:49) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush left for 53 yards gain to the BALL00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 11:41, 1ST DOWN #60 A.Glass kick attempt good (H: #90 D.Vuckovic, LS: #44 R.Pedro)
(11:40) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass incomplete short right to #5 Q.Magwood thrown to BALL39
(11:36) Shotgun #9 Q.Ashley rush left for 5 yards gain to the BALL30 (#32 Q.Urwiler), out of bounds
(10:53) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush left for 4 yards gain to the BALL34 (#32 Q.Urwiler; #22 J.Beeler)
(10:04) #43 A.Saul punt 39 yards to the NIU27 #6 D.Rogers return 1 yard to the NIU28, End Of Play
(09:56) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush right for 1 yard gain to the NIU29 (#31 D.Echoles Jr.; #56 A.Glenn)
(09:22) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst pass complete short left to #6 D.Rogers caught at NIU34, for 7 yards to the NIU36 (#1 J.Lewis), out of bounds
(08:52) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush right for 0 yards to the NIU36 (#22 J.Beebe; #18 J.Wiegold)
(08:06) #36 J.Ference punt 49 yards to the BALL15
(07:53) No Huddle-Shotgun #9 Q.Ashley rush middle for 2 yards gain to the BALL17 (#32 Q.Urwiler)
(07:18) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass incomplete deep right to #11 I.Thacker thrown to NIU41
(07:07) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass incomplete short left to #5 Q.Magwood thrown to BALL30 broken up by #9 D.Reynolds
(07:03) #43 A.Saul punt 33 yards to the BALL50
(06:56) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 2 yards gain to the BALL48 (#49 J.Thomas; #22 J.Beebe)
(06:27) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst pass complete short right to #80 J.Appleget caught at BALL47, for 9 yards to the BALL39 (#42 L.Starks; #5 R.Pearson), 1ST DOWN
(06:05) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush right for 9 yards gain to the BALL30 (#16 M.McCargo)
(05:48) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 4 yards gain to the BALL26 (#47 D.Hughes; #16 M.McCargo), 1ST DOWN
(05:29) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush left for 0 yards to the BALL26 (#6 C.Johnson)
(04:52) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst pass complete short right to #7 G.Givens III caught at BALL16, for 11 yards to the BALL15 (#5 R.Pearson), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(04:35) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush left for 6 yards gain to the BALL09 (#10 J.Harmon)
(04:05) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst pass incomplete short left to #0 L.Bryant thrown to BALL00
(04:01) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 5 yards gain to the BALL04 (#6 C.Johnson), 1ST DOWN, PENALTY BALL Illegal Substitution declined
(03:47) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst pass intercepted by #1 J.Lewis at BALL00, Touchback
(03:42) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush left for 1 yard gain to the BALL21 (#6 D.Dixon; #33 T.Powell)
(03:08) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass complete short left to #2 T.Robinson caught at BALL36, for 15 yards to the BALL36 (#9 D.Reynolds), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(02:37) No Huddle-Shotgun #4 T.Horton rush left for 6 yards gain to the BALL42 (#33 T.Powell)
(01:58) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush middle for 4 yards gain to the BALL46 (#32 Q.Urwiler), 1ST DOWN
(01:37) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush left for 8 yards gain to the NIU46 (#9 D.Reynolds)
(00:56) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass complete short middle to #3 E.Weatherly caught at NIU32, for 16 yards to the NIU30 (#23 M.Pretto), 1ST DOWN
(00:38) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush left for 1 yard gain to the NIU29 (#10 M.Hensley)
PENALTY NIU Offside 5 yards from NIU29 to NIU24. NO PLAY
(14:59) No Huddle-Shotgun #9 Q.Ashley rush middle for 3 yards gain to the NIU21 (#0 A.Gulley, Jr; #10 M.Hensley)
(14:16) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass complete short middle to #4 T.Horton caught at NIU26, for 19 yards to the NIU02 (#4 M.Jammeh), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(14:04) No Huddle-Shotgun #4 T.Horton rush right for 1 yard gain to the NIU01 (#23 M.Pretto; #17 F.Maciorowski)
(13:34) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass complete short left to #89 D.Cassens caught at NIU00, for 1 yard to the NIU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 13:30 #98 C.Holmer kick attempt good (H: #92 C.Stumbaugh, LS: #45 C.Britton)
(13:24) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush left for 9 yards gain to the NIU30 (#18 J.Wiegold)
(12:58) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush right for 0 yards to the NIU30 (#18 J.Wiegold)
(12:32) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush right for 4 yards gain to the NIU34 (#4 E.McClain; #14 T.Adewoyin), 1ST DOWN
(12:03) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NIU39 (#6 C.Johnson; #7 A.Whitner)
(11:33) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NIU41 (#0 A.Chea; #6 C.Johnson)
(10:50) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush right for 1 yard gain to the NIU42 (#47 D.Hughes)
(10:12) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst pass incomplete short left to #7 G.Givens III thrown to BALL39 broken up by #20 W.Yates, TURNOVER ON DOWNS
(10:07) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush middle for 3 yards gain to the NIU39 (#32 Q.Urwiler)
(09:40) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass complete short left to #9 Q.Ashley caught at NIU42, for 0 yards to the NIU39 (#17 F.Maciorowski; #90 R.Jean) PENALTY BALL Personal Foul 15 yards from NIU39 to BALL46. NO PLAY
(09:13) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush middle for 6 yards gain to the NIU48 (#32 Q.Urwiler)
(08:37) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass incomplete deep left to #88 D.Hamilton thrown to NIU23 PENALTY NIU Pass Interference 15 yards from NIU48 to NIU33, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY
(08:34) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass incomplete deep left to #10 J.McDougle thrown to NIU11
(08:30) No Huddle-Shotgun #9 Q.Ashley rush right for 4 yards gain to the NIU29 (#32 Q.Urwiler; #6 D.Dixon)
(07:50) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NIU28 (#11 J.Williams)
(07:08) #98 C.Holmer field goal attempt from 45 yards NO GOOD (H: #92 C.Stumbaugh, LS: #45 C.Britton), clock 07:04
(07:02) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 L.Rogers rush right for 0 yards to the NIU28 (#22 J.Beebe)
(06:42) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 L.Rogers rush left for 3 yards gain to the NIU31 (#6 C.Johnson; #93 S.Hudson)
(06:02) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst rush right for 36 yards gain to the BALL33 (#16 M.McCargo), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(05:32) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush left for 6 yards gain to the BALL27 (#16 M.McCargo; #31 D.Echoles Jr.)
(05:11) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush right for 4 yards gain to the BALL23 (#44 N.Voorhis; #15 D.Fields), 1ST DOWN
(04:37) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst pass incomplete short left to #3 R.Taylor Jr. thrown to BALL06 broken up by #20 W.Yates
(04:29) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush left for 1 yard gain to the BALL22 (#33 D.Conley; #15 D.Fields)
(03:54) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush middle for 4 yards gain to the BALL18 fumbled by #45 T.Johnson Jr. at BALL19 forced by #22 J.Beebe recovered by BALL #42 L.Starks at BALL18, End Of Play
(03:49) No Huddle-Shotgun #4 T.Horton rush middle for 2 yards gain to the BALL20 (#17 F.Maciorowski)
(03:08) No Huddle-Shotgun #9 Q.Ashley rush right for 12 yards gain to the BALL32 (#4 M.Jammeh), 1ST DOWN
(02:29) No Huddle-Shotgun #4 T.Horton rush middle for 2 yards gain to the BALL34 (#6 D.Dixon; #32 Q.Urwiler)
(01:59) No Huddle-Shotgun #9 Q.Ashley rush left for 0 yards (-1) to the BALL34 (#32 Q.Urwiler), out of bounds PENALTY BALL Holding 10 yards from BALL34 to BALL24
(01:54) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush middle for 11 yards gain to the BALL35 (#22 J.Beeler)
(01:47) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass incomplete deep left to #10 J.McDougle thrown to NIU35
(01:41) #43 A.Saul punt 53 yards to the NIU12 #6 D.Rogers return 6 yards to the NIU18 (#4 E.McClain)
(01:31) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NIU22 (#44 N.Voorhis)
(00:56) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NIU24 (#42 L.Starks)
(00:48) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 4 yards loss to the NIU20 (#44 N.Voorhis)
(00:44) #36 J.Ference punt 33 yards to the BALL47 fair catch by #1 J.Lewis at BALL47
(00:38) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush middle for 3 yards gain to the BALL50 (#11 J.Williams)
(00:09) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass incomplete short right thrown to NIU43
PENALTY BALL Delay Of Game 5 yards from BALL50 to BALL45. NO PLAY
(00:00) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush right for 15 yards gain to the NIU40 (#32 Q.Urwiler), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(14:56) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush right for 5 yards gain to the NIU27 (#0 A.Chea)
(14:28) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NIU29 (#0 A.Chea; #31 D.Echoles Jr.)
(13:56) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst pass complete short middle to #0 L.Bryant caught at NIU31, for 2 yards to the NIU31 (#18 J.Wiegold)
(13:19) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NIU33 (#33 D.Conley), 1ST DOWN
(12:47) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush left for 9 yards gain to the NIU42 (#7 A.Whitner)
(12:13) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst pass incomplete short left thrown to BALL50 QB hurried by #31 D.Echoles Jr. PENALTY NIU Holding 10 yards from NIU42 to NIU32. NO PLAY
(12:08) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush left for 2 yards gain to the NIU34 (#7 A.Whitner), out of bounds
(11:33) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst pass complete short left to #6 D.Rogers caught at NIU40, for 22 yards to the BALL44 (#5 R.Pearson), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(11:10) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush right for 3 yards gain to the BALL41 (#0 A.Chea)
(10:34) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 3 yards gain to the BALL38 (#0 A.Chea)
(10:05) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 18 yards gain to the BALL20 (#1 J.Lewis), 1ST DOWN
(09:33) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush right for 5 yards gain to the BALL15 (#42 L.Starks)
(08:57) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush middle for 6 yards gain to the BALL09 (#2 M.Gravely Jr.), 1ST DOWN
(08:17) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush right for 2 yards gain to the BALL07 (#5 R.Pearson)
(07:36) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst pass incomplete short right thrown to BALL00
(07:31) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst rush right for 7 yards gain to the BALL00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 07:26 #60 A.Glass kick attempt good (H: #90 D.Vuckovic, LS: #44 R.Pedro)
(07:19) No Huddle-Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush left for 7 yards gain to the BALL47 (#10 M.Hensley)
(06:41) No Huddle-Shotgun #9 Q.Ashley rush middle for 3 yards gain to the BALL50 (#1 T.Myles; #4 M.Jammeh), 1ST DOWN
(06:00) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass incomplete short left to #9 Q.Ashley thrown to BALL46
(05:57) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NIU46 (#10 M.Hensley)
(05:16) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass complete short right to #9 Q.Ashley caught at NIU41, for 8 yards to the NIU38 QB hurried by #97 R.Williams (#9 D.Reynolds), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(04:39) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass incomplete deep left to #5 Q.Magwood thrown to NIU15
(04:35) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush right for 0 yards to the NIU38 (#97 R.Williams)
(03:54) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass intercepted by #26 J.Finley IV at NIU05 #26 J.Finley IV return 2 yards to the NIU07 (#3 E.Weatherly), out of bounds
(03:43) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NIU12 (#15 D.Fields)
(03:20) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NIU16 (#22 J.Beebe)
(03:02) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush right for 2 yards gain to the NIU18 (#15 D.Fields), 1ST DOWN
(02:31) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 11 yards gain to the NIU29 (#16 M.McCargo), 1ST DOWN
(02:09) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NIU34 (#2 M.Gravely Jr.)
(01:54) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 0 yards to the NIU34 (#6 C.Johnson; #93 S.Hudson)
(01:18) No Huddle-Shotgun #15 J.Holst sacked for loss of 7 yards to the NIU27 (#44 N.Voorhis)
(00:33) #36 J.Ference punt 36 yards to the BALL37 muffed by #1 J.Lewis at BALL37 recovered by NIU #23 M.Pretto at BALL33, End Of Play
(13:53) Shotgun #9 Q.Ashley rush left for 1 yard loss to the BALL19 (#32 Q.Urwiler)
(13:18) Shotgun #9 Q.Ashley rush left for 7 yards gain to the BALL26 (#33 T.Powell)
(12:38) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass incomplete short middle to #88 D.Hamilton thrown to BALL33 broken up by #22 J.Beeler
(12:31) #43 A.Saul punt 45 yards to the NIU29 fair catch by #6 D.Rogers at NIU29
(12:26) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush left for 2 yards loss to the NIU27 (#6 C.Johnson)
(11:47) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 0 yards to the NIU27 (#6 C.Johnson)
(11:04) No Huddle-Shotgun #45 T.Johnson Jr. rush right for 5 yards gain to the NIU32 (#22 J.Beebe; #44 N.Voorhis)
(10:24) #36 J.Ference punt 48 yards to the BALL20 #20 W.Yates return 3 yards to the BALL23 (#17 F.Maciorowski)
(10:13) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass complete short right to #5 Q.Magwood caught at BALL41, for 21 yards to the BALL44 (#26 J.Finley IV), 1ST DOWN
(09:31) Shotgun #3 E.Weatherly rush right for 5 yards gain to the BALL49 (#9 D.Reynolds; #97 R.Williams)
(08:56) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NIU49 (#9 D.Reynolds; #22 J.Beeler)
(08:17) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush middle for 6 yards gain to the NIU43 (#32 Q.Urwiler; #4 M.Jammeh), 1ST DOWN
(07:40) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush middle for 8 yards gain to the NIU35 (#9 D.Reynolds)
(07:08) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass incomplete short right thrown to NIU25 QB hurried by #97 R.Williams
(07:00) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush right for 2 yards gain to the NIU33 (#10 M.Hensley), 1ST DOWN
(06:20) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass complete short left to #84 T.Hoover caught at NIU30, for 9 yards to the NIU24 (#32 Q.Urwiler)
(05:58) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush left for 19 yards gain to the NIU05 (#4 M.Jammeh), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(05:23) Shotgun #9 Q.Ashley rush right for 1 yard gain to the NIU04 (#16 J.Thomas)
(04:47) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly sacked for loss of 9 yards to the NIU13 (#16 J.Thomas)
(03:57) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass intercepted by #22 J.Beeler at NIU03, End Of Play
(03:52) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NIU07 (#22 J.Beebe)
(03:09) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush right for 2 yards gain to the NIU09 (#0 A.Chea)
(02:25) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 11 yards gain to the NIU20 (#22 J.Beebe), 1ST DOWN
(02:00) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NIU21 (#0 A.Chea)
(01:56) No Huddle-Shotgun #10 C.Wright rush middle for 17 yards gain to the NIU38 fumbled by #10 C.Wright at NIU33 forced by #4 E.McClain recovered by BALL #42 L.Starks at NIU38, End Of Play
(01:44) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass incomplete short right to #6 K.Gross thrown to NIU34 broken up by #9 D.Reynolds
(01:41) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly sacked for loss of 5 yards to the NIU43 (#16 J.Thomas)
(01:17) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush left for 0 yards to the NIU43 (#32 Q.Urwiler)
(00:47) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass complete deep middle to #10 J.McDougle caught at NIU18, for 25 yards to the NIU18, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN. The previous play is under automatic review - "Pass completion". CALL UPHELD
(00:37) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly sacked for loss of 5 yards to the NIU23 (#10 M.Hensley)
(00:22) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass complete short right to #2 T.Robinson caught at NIU17, for 6 yards to the NIU17 (#26 J.Finley IV), out of bounds
(00:16) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly pass complete short right to #2 T.Robinson caught at NIU01, for 16 yards to the NIU01, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN
(00:08) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush right for 0 yards to the NIU01 (#4 M.Jammeh)
(00:03) Shotgun #1 K.Kelly rush left for 0 yards to the NIU01 (#10 M.Hensley)