NIU has faced a number of tough teams this season.

Opening week, the Huskies traveled to Minneapolis to take on Minnesota, which was nationally ranked before Saturday’s loss to Northwestern.

NIU head coach Jerry Kill’s team followed with a trip to Western Michgan, which is currently 7-2. There was also the trip to Knoxville to take on Tennessee, which is a tough trip, even with the Volunteers going through a disappointing season.

The Huskies, however, face their toughest test of the year tonight in Muncie, Ind., when they take on No. 16 Ball State.

“They are undefeated. So we are going to play a very good team,” Kill said. “I think our kids responded very well when we went to Minnesota and Tennessee. I look for us to respond well when we go play Ball State.”

The Cardinals feature the MAC’s best offense. Nate Davis is one of the conferences top quarterbacks and MiQuale Lewis leads the MAC with 989 rushing yards.

Although they get overshadowed, the Cardinals also have a great defense as well. Ball State is ranked second in the MAC behind NIU in scoring defense.

“Defensively, I think they have been overlooked all year, and I think their defense is very good,” Kill said. “They are a very good football team and they deserve the ranking that they have earned.”

The winner of tonight’s game receives the “Bronze Stalk” trophy. Starting with tonight’s game, the trophy will be given out annually to the winner of the NIU-BSU contest.