Ball State vs. Western Illinois: Live updates, score, results, highlights, for Thursday's NCAAF game

Live scores, highlights and updates from the Ball State vs. Western Illinois football game

Game Recap

The best player on the turf between the Western Illinois Leathernecks and the Ball State Cardinals on Thursday ended up on the losing team. Although he couldn't prevent a 31-21 loss to Ball State, WR Dennis Houston caught 12 passes for two TDs and 237 yards. One of the most thrilling moments was Houston's 75-yard TD reception in the third quarter.

In addition to Houston, WIU got help from QB Connor Sampson, who passed for two TDs and 367 yards on 42 attempts. Sampson's 75-yard touchdown toss to Houston in the third quarter made for one of the most memorable moments of the night.

WR Justin Hall was the offensive standout of the game for the Cardinals, catching eight passes for two TDs and 137 yards. QB Drew Plitt had a good game, too, finishing with two touchdowns.

The matchup brought Ball State to 1-0 and dropped WIU to a mirror-image 0-1.

WIU is on the road again next week and plays against the Montana Grizzlies at 8 p.m. ET Sept. 11 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. As for Ball State, they will face off against the Penn State Nittany Lions at 3:30 p.m. ET next week at Beaver Stadium.