{
  "id": 11995586,
  "title": "Northwestern hosts Ball State",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/northwestern-hosts-ball-state",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T19:45:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/uncategorized/2026/10/04/northwestern-hosts-ball-state"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Northwestern hosted Ball State in a game on October 10 at 12:30 p.m. EDT. Ball State was coming off a 1-4 record, while Northwestern was 3-1. The game took place at Northwestern's home field.\n\nBall State's defense had several notable weaknesses, ranking 125th in the FBS for defensive third down percentage, allowing opponents to convert 46.5% of the time. Northwestern, on the other hand, was ranked 68th in the FBS for offense, converting on 41.3% of third downs. Ball State was 92nd in the FBS with a -2 turnover margin, while Northwestern ranked 14th with a +5 margin. Ball State was also 130th in FBS for red zone defense, allowing opponents to score on 95% of trips. Northwestern's red zone offense was ranked 18th, scoring on 94.7% of red zone opportunities.\n\nIn terms of passing, Aidan Chiles had 900 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and a 70.8 completion percentage. Caleb Komolafe had 290 rushing yards on 52 carries with 2 touchdowns. Keldric Luster for Ball State threw for 662 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. T.J. Horton rushed for 302 yards on 37 carries with 4 touchdowns, and Donovan Hamilton had 220 receiving yards on 20 catches with 1 touchdown.\n\nIn the previous game, Northwestern defeated Penn State 34-13 on October 2. Chiles passed for 93 yards on 10-of-14 attempts with no touchdowns and no interceptions, and added a rushing touchdown. Komolafe rushed for 188 yards on 25 carries with 1 touchdown and added 14 yards receiving. Griffin Wilde had 2 receptions for 36 yards.\n\nBall State's previous game was a loss to Toledo, 39-24, on October 3. Luster passed for 224 yards on 21-of-33 attempts with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. T.J. Horton had 90 rushing yards on 9 carries with 1 touchdown, and added 10 yards receiving. Donovan Hamilton had 6 receptions for 70 yards.\n\nLooking ahead, Northwestern will play at Michigan State on October 17, while Ball State will travel to Bowling Green on the same date.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}