NIU football (2-2, 0-1 MAC) lost 24-17 to the North Carolina State University Wolfpack (3-2, 0-1 ACC) as four turnovers plagued the Huskies.
FIRST HALF
The Wolfpack took the early lead on freshman quarterback CJ Bailey’s 1-yard rush, which followed a fake punt conversion on NC State’s opening possession.
The Huskies promptly responded with a seven-play, 75-yard drive. NIU found the endzone on a recovered fumble by senior fullback Brock Lampe after senior running back Antario Brown lost the ball, tying the game 7-7.
The Wolfpack’s defense struck at the start of the second quarter, forcing a fumble by redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton. NC State senior safety DK Kaufman snatched the ball and took it 2 yards into the endzone to reclaim the lead 14-7.
A 37-yard field goal by NC State redshirt sophomore kicker Kanoah Vinesett extended the Wolfpack’s lead with five minutes remaining.
The Huskies closed the first-half scoring with a 6-yard touchdown from Hampton to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Cam Thompson inside the two-minute mark.
SECOND HALF
A fumble by Hampton on the Huskies’ first possession of the half put the Wolfpack at the 1-yard line, setting up a touchdown to sophomore wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion to put NC State up 24-14.
At the start of the fourth quarter, senior kicker Kanon Woodill brought NIU back to within one possession with a 51-yard field goal.
After trading scoreless possessions, the Huskies got the ball at their own 18-yard line with 4:23 left to play, but the drive ended after one play as Hampton threw an interception – his third turnover of the day.
After an NC State three-and-out, the Huskies had another chance to find the endzone, receiving the ball at the NIU 10-yard line with 2:31 remaining.
With four seconds remaining at the NC State 34-yard line, Hampton’s last heave to the endzone was intercepted, sealing the 24-17 defeat.
UP NEXT
The Huskies return at 11 a.m. Oct. 5 to face the University of Massachusetts at Huskie Stadium. Live stats will be available on SIDEARM Stats.
