DeKALB, IL - The Northern Illinois University football team rushed for over 300 yards and forced three turnovers on defense to reclaim the Bronze Stalk trophy in a 21-7 win over the Ball State Cardinals at Huskie Stadium.

"I'm tremendously proud of our players and coaching staff," said head coach Thomas Hammock. "I like the character of these young men. They stay in it. When outside noise is saying things, the guys are doing the right things. We had moments where it wasn't going our way but we built some positive momentum."

Chavon Wright (Opa Locka, Fla./Charleston) led all players with a season-high 166 rushing yards on 37 carries. Telly Johnson Jr. (Augusta, Ga./Hephzibah) also rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown, marking the first time since Nov. 13, 2024 against Akron. Quarterback Josh Holst (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) ran for a touchdown and also threw a touchdown pass to DeAree Rogers (Lexington, S.C./Lenoir-Rhyne).

"When you get in the flow of the game, it doesn't feel like 37 carries," Wright said. "You just get in a rhythm where you want the ball in your hands."

NIU (2-6, 1-3 MAC) broke a 7-7 tie on its first drive of the second half. The Huskies converted a fourth-and-one from the NIU 31 on a two-yard run by Wright to keep the drive alive. Holst found Rogers for 22 yards on a third-and-nine to get into Ball State territory. Wright added an 18-yard run to get the Huskies to the red zone. Holst capped the 15-play, 78-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown run to make the score 14-7 with 7:26 to go in the third quarter.

The Huskies' defense got the ball back with 3:45 to play in the third when James Finley (Portage, Ind./Andrean) intercepted a Kiael Kelly pass at the NIU seven yardline. NIU ran the ball six straight times to get the ball to the 34, but a Nathan Voorhis sack forced a punt. Jake Ference (St. Louis, Mo./Lafayette) booted the football to the Ball State 37 yardline where Joedrick Lewis muffed the punt. Marc Pretto (Montclair, N.J./Fordham) fell on the loose ball and the Huskies got the ball back at the 33. Four plays later Holst threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Rogers to put the Huskies up by 14, 21-7, with 13:59 to play.

"Today we showed we have the ability to run the football," Hammock said. "We still have confidence in our passing game. There are still some things we need to clean up in the critical moments."

Ball State (3-5, 2-2) had a chance to get back in the game, driving down to the NIU four yardline with 5:00 to go. On second-and-goal, Jay'shon Thomas (Cataula, Ga./Harris County) sacked Kelly to set up third-and-goal from the 13. Jasper Beeler (Farmington, Mich./Saginaw Valley State) intercepted Kelly in the end zone to get NIU the ball back with under 4:00 to go.

NIU scored on it's opening possession after forcing a Ball State three-and-out to start the game. On the third play of the drive Johnson ran 53 yards for his third touchdown of the season to give the Huskies a 7-0 lead with 11:41 to play in the first quarter. The NIU defense held Ball State without a first down on the Cardinals' first three possessions. Ball State tied the game early in the second quarter when Kelly connected with Drew Cassens on a one-yard touchdown pass with 13:30 to go until halftime.

The Huskies outgained Ball State 370-275 with 305 yards on the ground. NIU was 9-for-16 on third down while holding the Cardinals to 6-for-15. Quinn Urwiler (Mooseheart, Ill./North Dakota) led all players with 14 tackles. Thomas had two of NIU's four sacks in the game, the first two of his career. Mark Hensley (Labadie, Mo./Labadie) had seven tackles and a sack. Filip Maciorowski (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard West) also had a sack, a forced fumble and four tackles.

NIU is back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at Toledo. Game time and television information will be announced at a later date.

—NIU—