3 takeaways from Ball State football's come-from-behind win against Northern Illinois

MUNCIE, Ind. — Frustration. Hope. Pain. Optimism. Anger. Joy. Doubt. Relief. Jubilation.

Ball State football went through just about every possible emotion in its thrilling, come-from-behind, 44-38 double-overtime win against Northern Illinois (1-4, 0-1 Mid-American Conference). Trailing by as many as 21 points in the second quarter, the Cardinals showed resilience in the second half to move to 2-3 (1-1 MAC) and bring the Bronze Stalk trophy back to Muncie.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

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Ball State completes 3rd-largest comeback in program history

Ball State was down 21-0. It trailed 24-7 at halftime. For two quarters, the Cardinals looked well on their way to starting the season 1-4 and 0-2 in the league.

Then came the second half.

Ball State starting chipping away. Safety Jaquan Amos intercepted a tipped pass and set up a quick touchdown score to bring the Cardinals within 10. Northern Illinois responded less than four minutes later to extend its lead to three scores, once again.

But Ball State kept hanging around and found a way to mount the third-largest comeback in program history. It didn't take its first lead until the second overtime when it went up 44-38. Its offense responded, throwing out a sloppy first half and finding a way to rack up 480 yards and outscore Northern Illinois 37-14 combined in the second half and overtime.

John Paddock threw for a career-high 403 yards and three touchdowns — including the game-tying score to Tanner Koziol (seven catches, 89 yards, two TDs) — finding nine different receivers in the process. Carson Steele (77 rushing yards) hammered in three touchdowns on the ground. Jayshon Jackson (10 catches, 116 yards), Brady Hunt (six catches, 82 yards, one TD) and Yo'Heinz Tyler contributed to Ball State's 480 yards of offense.

Northern Illinois ended the game with 526 yards and was getting anything it wanted on offense, both on the ground and through the air, in the first half. Ball State's defense responded, as Cole Pearce (1.5 sacks, two TFLs), Amos (12 tackles), Jordan Riley (11 tackles), Tyler Potts (one sack, one forced fumble) and others combined for what was best statistical game the defense has had this season.

Despite giving up a 68-yard TD run to go down 10 with 6:43 to go and 332 yards on the ground, Ball State's defense made the stops it needed when it was needed most to help secure the come-from-behind victory.

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Mistakes (almost) hurt Ball State again

Stop if you heard this before. Ball State's self-inflicted mistakes nearly cost the Cardinals the game.

There was the chop block that halted a promising first possession and forced Ball State to punt. There was the sailed interception by Paddock on the second drive which, fortunately for BSU, resulted in a missed Northern Illinois field goal. There was the 52-yard run where Northern Illinois running back Harrison Waylee went untouched to put the Huskies up 14-0 to start the second quarter and his 68-yard TD run in the fourth quarter which put the Huskies up 38-28 with 6:43 left and appeared to all but stop any potential of a Ball State comeback.

There was a pooch kick recovered by the Huskies, which Ball State got right back on a sack/forced fumble from Tyler Potts but resulted in a Ben VonGunten’s first missed field goal of the season from 37 yards. There was the missed field goal during the first overtime following Northern Illinois' own missed field goal.

There were the third downs Ball State struggled with offensively, going 1-for-7 with three turnovers in the first half alone. There were other small details which hurt Ball State early. The defense, which didn't look like it could come up with the stops necessary to mount the 21-point comeback, ended up making enough plays to pull out the six-point win, including a big-time sack and pass defended by linebacker Cole Pearce in overtime.

After it's done celebrating, Ball State will need to address some of the issues that caused it to be down 21-0 in the first place.

The Cardinals get back on track

Most of Ball State's games this season have followed the same script: the Cardinals play well enough, in parts, to beat their opponent. But mental and execution mistakes end up costing them the game.

That didn't happen Saturday at Scheumann Stadium.

Ball State got a much-needed victory and flipped the script on their season heading into Week 6 by beating the defending MAC Champions in stunning fashion.

It was as remarkable as it was unlikely but, after the game, no one on Ball State's football team cared how it got done. Ball State showed resilience against Northern Illinois and, because of it, earned a new sense of optimism heading into the remainder of league play.

Robby General covers Ball State and East Central Indiana high school sports for The Star Press. Contact him via email at rgeneral@gannett.com or on Twitter @rgeneraljr.