After rough patch on the road, NIU home to face Ball State
Each of the last three seasons, Northern Illinois safety Trayshon Foster has taken part in a personal tradition with the Bronze Stalk Trophy after a win over Ball State.
"I love that trophy. It may be ugly, but I love it," Foster said. "For the past three years, I've been able to take pictures on my Instagram with it and hopefully we execute our game plan and I'll be able to take a fourth and final picture with it my senior year. It's dear to my heart. I don't want to be the senior class than hands over the trophy."
More than any opponent Northern Illinois (1-3) has played in 2019, Ball State (1-3) is set up to throw the ball a majority of its snaps. The Cardinals' 178 passes are the 17th most out of 130 FBS programs, and the second most among Mid-American Conference teams, with only Akron posting more.
For that reason, Huskies defenders are licking their chops at the chance to get after the Ball State offense.
"It's definitely exciting as a (defensive back)," Foster said. "You get to challenge balls in the air. You get to showcase your abilities, your strength."
Saturday is a chance for the Huskies defensive line to get after the quarterback after NIU recorded two sacks at Vanderbilt last week and provided more consistent pressure after struggling to do so in its first three games of the season.
"Their offensive line is much improved from last year and their skill guys on the perimeter, they're dangerous," defensive end Marcus Kelly said. "So we've definitely got to do our job and get after the quarterback. They get the ball out quick. You're not going to get to there all 50 times, so when we're not, we've got to get our hand up, we've got to get in the passing lanes."
Cardinals quarterback Drew Plitt is fourth in the FBS in passing yards per game (343.3) and the team is 27th in total offense per game (470.3 yards).
"Drew, he has done such a good job of running the offense," Ball State coach Mike Neu said. "He's in complete command and it all starts with how he prepares."
Foster said Justin Hall and Riley Miller are dangerous receivers. Along with Antwan Davis, the trio has combined for 824 yards.
"They're very dangerous," NIU coach Thomas Hammock said. "I think anytime you throw the ball 50 to 60 times a game, there's an opportunity that one guy can break a tackle and take it the distance so we have to be assignment-sound. We have to tackle in space, we have to be aggressive and have to play with confidence on the back end of our defense."
The Huskies are looking for more from the running game after getting 108 rushing yards in last week's loss at Vanderbilt. Jordan Nettles' 34-yard run Saturday was the longest of the season for the Huskies.
"We don't want (quarterback) Ross (Bowers) getting touched and we want to run the ball down people's throats every single game," center C.J. Perez said.