It was a missed opportunity.
Ball State head coach Mike Neu said his team made too many mental mistakes in the 31-24 home loss to Northern Illinois. Trailing by a touchdown in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals had two different drives with a chance to tie the game. But punts on those drives led to the eighth straight loss to the Huskies.
"We have to make sure we stress competition in practice so those things don't continue to happen," he said.
Next on the schedule is a road trip to Central Michigan, who comes in at 3-2 (0-1 MAC).