N. Illinois topples Ball State 26-20

DEKALB, Ill.(AP) — Quarterback Chandler Harnish threw a touchdown
pass in his first appearance in nearly a month as Northern
Illinois topped Ball State on Thursday.

The Huskies (7-3, 5-1 Mid-American West) won their fourth
straight while the Cardinals (1-9, 1-5) dropped their sixth game
by seven or fewer points.

Harnish had missed three games with a knee injury. He hit wide
receiver Marcus Lewis on a 6-yard scoring play late in the third
quarter for a 26-13 lead.

Ball State cut it to 26-20 on Tanner Justice’s 29-yard touchdown
pass to Daniel Ifft with 6:53 left in regulation.

The teams traded touchdowns on their respective first
possessions. The Huskies added a safety and a six-yard Chad
Spann touchdown for a 16-7 lead late in the first quarter.

A pair of second-quarter field goals by Ian McGarvey trimmed the
deficit to 16-13. Huskie kicker Mike Salerno got one back with a
41-yard third-quarter field goal.