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Huskies Harnish Cards to Win Bronze Stalk |
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Written by Mike Smith
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DEKALB, ILL. – With two key road games left on the schedule, including a potentially huge finale against Central Michigan, Northern Illinois fans might have been thinking past the one-win Ball State Cardinals who came calling Thursday night.
Fortunately for the hosts, NIU coaches and players kept their focus, and in so doing, the Huskies kept their recent winning streak alive with a 26-20 senior night win.
“I could tell you by watching film and evaluating the games that it was going to be close,” Northern Illinois coach Jerry Kill said. “All of their games have been very close, and they have had two weeks to prepare.
“We have had three games in 14 days, and I think it showed,” he continued. “We lost a couple of people throughout the game, and it was a physical game. I expected it was going to be hard fought, and I didn’t care how we won as long as we won.”
Ball State actually out-gained the hosts 301-225, and the vaunted Huskie running game had to claw its way to 134 yards against a Cardinals defense ranked 11th in the MAC (184.8) against the run. Northern Illinois ranks first in rushing with a season average of 201 yards per contest.
Ball State showed right away that it was ready to play. Cory Sykes picked up 24 yards on the first play from scrimmage and MiQuale Lewis gained 52 yards on the next play.
After a three yard loss by Lewis, Eric Williams scored on a five-yard touchdown run. Ian McGarvey added the PAT.
The hosts came right back with a nine-play, 74-yard scoring drive. Demarcus Grady hit Preston Williams with a nine-yard pass for the TD
“Five years pushing through the grind and to have (my first career touchdown) come on senior night makes it that much more special,” said the 5-11, 180-pound senior. “I credit (DeMarcus) Grady for finding me in the end zone and keeping the play alive. It felt great.”
Ball State committed its only turnover of the game on the next possession, and it led to nine Huskie points. The first two came when Tanner Justice was sacked by Sean Progar in the end zone. Justice fumbled and Lewis fell on the ball. That prevented a defensive touchdown but gave NIU two points and another possession.
Northern rushed the ball on six of seven plays after receiving the kick. Chad Spann finished the drive off with a six-yard TD run.
Ball State put together a couple scoring drives in the second quarter, but they were forced settle for field goals. That left NIU with a 16-13 halftime advantage.
Kill said he made the decision to play Chandler Harnish at quarterback in the second half, in part, “to see what he could do.” The sophomore quarterback had not played since being injured Oct, 17 at Toledo.
“Demarcus is a great player. He did a great job, and did a great job in the first half,” Kill said. “We needed to get Chandler in.”
“I was ready to go, and the coaches did a good job of preparing me this week,” Harnish said. “I felt like there was going to come a time when I was going to get some reps and some playing time to knock the rust off. I got that chance in the second half, and I feel good…. (The knee) is not 100 percent, but I did not expect it to be…. I know I will get there.”
Northern Illinois improved its advantage to six points when Salerno booted a 41-yard field goal with 9:52 remaining in the third quarter.
One Huskies drive later, Harnish found Marcus Lewis from six yards out. Salerno’s PAT kick made it a 26-13 game. As with Williams, Lewis caught his first career TD pass on senior night. Seniors accounted for 18 of NIU’s 26 points.
Harnish completed all nine of his passes in the second half after Grady went four for five before intermission.
“I give credit to the coaching staff,” Harnish said. “They put me in situation where most of my passes were shorter. I am just trying to do what ever I can to help the team win.”
A final Ball State scoring drive – 13 plays, 77 yards, ended with Justice hitting Daniel Ifft on a 29-yard TD pass.
Justice completed 11 of 19 for 134 yards with one touchdown. Cory Sykes led the Cardinals rushing attack with 75 yards on 11 carries. Lewis added 68 yards on nine carries, but 52 yards came on the game’s second play from scrimmage.
Nathan Palmer (69 yards) and Spann (63 yards) paced the Huskies ground game.
NOTES:
- Northern Illinois’ victory gave the Huskies possession of the Bronze Stalk, a traveling trophy which goes to the winner of the NIU-Ball State game each year. The Cardinals captured the trophy in 2009 which was the trophy’s inaugural season.
- NIU has won four straight games for the first time since 2006.
- Ball State (1-9, 1-5 MAC) takes MAC West leader Central Michigan Wednesday, Nov. 18.
- Northern Illinois (7-3, 5-1) will be at Ohio Saturday, Nov. 21.
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