RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Ball State defense performed admirably in Saturday night's game on the road in ACC country.
The Cardinals forced the first two NC State turnovers of the season, turned the Wolfpack over on downs another time and couldn't be faulted for any second-half points.
But two NC State touchdown drives before the break and two huge special teams plays in the second half propelled the Wolfpack to a 34-23 victory at Carter-Finley Stadium.
"Really proud of the effort of our defense; I thought in the second half they were fantastic," Ball State head coach Mike Neu said.