Ross Bowers throws for 300 yards, but NIU falls to Ball State

Tyrice Richie had 108 receiving yards for the Huskies, who fell to 0-3.

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NIU coach Thomas Hammock

Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock watches his team during an NCAA college football game against Central Michigan on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, in DeKalb.

Mark Busch/AP

MUNCIE, Ind. — Drew Plitt threw a pair of touchdown passes, Caleb Huntley ran for 103 yards and Ball State beat Northern Illinois 31-25 on Wednesday night.

It was a program record seventh consecutive 100-yard game for Huntley, who carried the ball 25 times including a three-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.

Plitt threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Antwan Davis in the first half, and his seven-yarder to Yo’Heinz Tyler stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 28-14 early in the fourth quarter.

Plitt was 17 of 25 for 214 yards passing. Amechi Uzodinma II had a 71-yard interception return for a touchdown just before halftime for the Cardinals (2-1, 2-1 Mid-American Conference).

Erin Collins’ three-yard touchdown run pulled Northern Illinois (0-3, 0-3) to 28-22 with about seven minutes to play. Plitt then lead Ball State on a 11-play drive, capped by Jack Knight’s 33-yard field goal with 2:20 remaining.

Ross Bowers was 27 of 40 passing for a season-high 300 yards to lead the Huskies, hitting Tyrice Richie 11 times for 108 yards and a touchdown. Collins finished with 46 yards rushing on eight carries and two touchdowns.

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