What happened: The Huskies (7-2, 4-1 MAC) beat the Ball State Cardinals (3-6, 2-3 MAC), 35-21, today at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Ind.

How it happened: The Huskies forced five turnovers, redshirt senior tailback Cameron Stingily punched in three rushing touchdowns and NIU pulled away late for the victory.

The Huskies converted the five turnovers in 21 points. Redshirt sophomore cornerback Anthony Brooks’ 21-yard pick-6 early in the fourth quarter proved to be the winning score.

Stingily ran for 148 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. Ball State ran for 133 yards as a team.

What it means: The Huskies still control their own destiny in making it to the MAC Championship game for the fifth-straight season with Toledo on the horizon.

Three stars:

3. NIU defense: Five turnovers forced; held Ball State to 4-14 on third downs

2. Anthony Brooks: 21-yard interception returned for touchdown; first-career interception; Huskies’ first defensive touchdown on the season

1. Cameron Stingily: 148 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries

Up next: The Huskies host the Toledo Rockets (6-3, 5-0 MAC) 7 p.m. Tuesday at Huskie Stadium.