First quarter
Ball State won the toss, and elected to defer to the second half. Northern Illinois received the ball to start the game.
The Huskies came out in an up-tempo offense led by starting quarterback Anthony Maddie. He was 2-5 for 17 yards on the drive, along with an 18-yard rush. Maddie did miss an open receiver down the middle of the field for what would've been an easy touchdown, however.
The drive stalled, and junior Chris Hagan missed a 43-yard field goal attempt. Ball State took over at its own 26.
Ball State sophomore quarterback Riley Neal started the drive with a 16-yard pass to senior KeVonn Mabon.