The Huskies surge past WMU and hand the Broncos their first conference loss
The Northern Illinois Huskies capitalized on three interceptions and a special teams touchdown to propel themselves past the Western Michigan Broncos on Wednesday night, handing the Broncos their first conference loss of the season.
After the teams traded punts on their first three drives, Western Michigan (5-4, 4-1 MAC) got on the board in a hurry, when running back Jaden Nixon broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run.
NIU (5-4, 2-3 MAC) started off slow, punting on their first two drives of the game and losing a fumble at the Western Michigan two yard line on their third possession. On that fumble, Antario Brown was also injured, rolling up on the defender who tackled him from behind. He missed the rest of the game and newcomer Telly Johnson would get the bulk of the carries.
The Huskies were able to turn it around when WMU attempted a fake punt, tossing pass that was intercepted by Huskie safety Santana Banner and returned all the way back to the Broncos’ 31-yard line. Northern was able to get their offense going from there and tied the game, 7-7, on freshman running back Johnson’s first career touchdown – a six yard scamper.
After forcing a punt, NIU would get the ball back and march 86 yards in eight plays and take the lead on a seven yard pass from Hampton to Tristen Tewes. But the Broncos would counter and even things up at 14 when Nixon ran in his second touchdown of the game, this time from 14-yards out.
Right before the break, Northern would reclaim the lead when Hampton put together a nice 12-play, 60-yard drive in just 1:45. He would find halfback Gavin Williams on the flat for a 5-yard touchdown pass with just nine seconds left in the half.
Early in the third, Western would re-tie the game when quarterback Broc Lowry kept the ball on a keeper and scored from a yard out. But the tie would only last a few seconds, as Northern’s Cam Thompson would take the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to the house and put NIU up 28-21. The Huskies wouldn’t relinquish the lead from that moment.
The Broncos threw their second interception of the game, and the first by starting quarterback Hayden Wolff, on their next possession which led to Williams’ running in a touchdown from two yards out a few plays later.
Wolff would throw yet another pick on the very next drive, when NIU safety Nate Valcarcel jumped the route in the endzone – ending a promising drive for WMU – and setting the Huskies up at their own 29-yard line. Johnson would get his second touchdown of the game, this time a 26-yard run, to put the Huskies firmly in control – 42-21.
Western did manage to cut into the lead on their next possession, when Wolff found tight end Mareyohn Hrabowski in the endzone for a 10-yard score, but they were unable to close the gap any further, falling 42-28.
WMU moved the ball well, gaining 390 yards against the stout Huskie defense and rushing for 211 yards. Nixon’s 95 yards was the most NIU had given up to a single ball carrier all season long. However, they did struggle on third downs, going just 2-10, and committed five fouls for 50 yards. Wolff finished the day 14-27 with 179 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Womack led the Broncos with four catches for 51 yards.
The Huskies finished with 411 yards, 156 passing and 255 on the ground, and were a very solid 6-10 on third downs. Hampton went 13-16 for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Brown had four carries for 51 yards, while Johnson had 141 yards on 23 carries and Williams had 42 yards on eight rushes. Trayvon Rudolph got involved in a big way, leading all receivers with six grabs for 74 yards.
NIU will look to become bowl eligible next Wednesday, November 13th, when the host the Akron Zips at 7 p.m. EST. The Broncos will also look to get their sixth win of the season when they head to Bowling Green. The Falcons and Broncos are two of the four MAC teams with just one conference loss, so this game will have big MAC Championship Game implications. You can watch it on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. EST, next Tuesday, November 12th.