Northwestern defeats Ball State 45-14

Northwestern beat Ball State 45-14 in Evanston during homecoming weekend, extending the Wildcats’ strong run after their win over Penn State. Quarterback Aidan Chiles threw for 272 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, while receiver Griffin Wilde set a career high with 144 yards on eight catches. Northwestern surpassed 400 yards of offense for the second consecutive week, and its defense pressured Ball State quarterback Keldric Luster throughout the game, recording eight quarterback hits. Before the matchup, concerns included Northwestern’s penalty problems and a banged-up secondary, but the Wildcats controlled the game and limited Ball State’s offense.