Ball State Cardinals vs. No. 17 Northwestern Wildcats
Coming into the 2015 season, who would have thought the Northwestern Wildcats would be ranked No. 17 and looking like a serious contender to challenge for a spot in the Big Ten title game while possibly winning the Big Ten West? Not me.
Looking at the Big Ten West, there’s a real shot for the Wildcats to win the division and have a shot at the coveted championship game. However, they will have to rely on freshman, and first-year starter, Clayton Thorson under center. He has struggled so far this season through the air, passing for 327 yards, a single touchdown and two picks while completing 50 percent of his passes.
Justin Jackson has been the real hero on offense, rushing for 332 yards and a touchdown, although his yards per carry average is sub-four. The defense for Northwestern might just be the most stingy since Pat Fitzgerald took over as head coach. The Wildcats give up just 235 yards of total offense per contest.
Ball State has taken care of the two opponents it was supposed to beat, but the Cardinals had the unfortunate task of facing the much-improved Texas A&M Aggies in week two, falling 56-23.
There has been a bit of a quarterback controversy for the Cardinals, though, as sophomore Jack Milas and freshman Riley Neal had been listed as co-starters before last week’s game, but Neal looked much more impressive. That has earned the first-year player a shot to start his first collegiate game on Saturday against the Wildcats’ vaunted defense and he will have his hands full.
On the year, Neal has passed for 310 yards and a touchdown while completing 75 percent of his passes. Jordan Williams, who has 15 catches for 214 yards and a touchdown, should be his main weapon in this one, but sophomore Darian Grant should help take the pressure off the young QB with the run game.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Evanston, IL
Stadium: Ryan Field
TV Info: Big Ten Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN app
Radio: Here
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