Ball State at Northern Illinois

Posted November 13, 2011 11:00 pm

Ball State (6-4, 4-2) at Northern Illinois (7-3, 5-1)

When: 7 p.m. at Huskie Stadium

TV: ESPNU

Radio: WSCR 670-AM, WLBK 1360-AM

Series: Ball State leads 20-16-2; NIU won 59-21 last season.

Coaches: Dave Doeren (7-3, first year at NIU); Pete Lembo (6-4, first year at Ball State).

Players to watch: Ball State sophomore QB Keith Wenning completed a 94-yard touchdown to Torieal Gibson last week against Eastern Michigan. Senior SS Sean Baker owns the school’s career interception record with 16. … Northern QB Chandler Harnish ran for 151 yards and threw for 294 last week at Bowling Green. OT Trevor Olson will set a school record by making his 51st consecutive start tonight.

The skinny: After a couple of narrow road wins against Buffalo and Toledo, the Huskies put it all together in a 45-14 romp at Bowling Green last Tuesday. Now Northern can clinch its second consecutive MAC West title by finishing with wins at home against Ball State and Eastern Michigan. Ball State sits in third place but is not of the race, since it closes against co-leaders NIU and Toledo. The Cardinals rank last in the MAC in total defense, giving up 490 yards per game.

Fast fact: Ball State safety Kyle Hoke is the son of Bears assistant Jon Hoke and the nephew of Michigan coach Brady Hoke.

— Mike McGraw

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