Four rushing touchdowns helped NIU football (3-2, 0-1 MAC) overcome the University of Massachusetts Minutemen (1-5) by a score of 34-20 Saturday.
FIRST HALF
The Huskies opened up scoring on the third play of the game when redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton connected with senior fullback Brock Lampe for a 15-yard touchdown.
Redshirt junior defensive end Jalonnie Williams set up the score on the previous play, recovering a Minutemen fumble within UMass’ 20-yard line.
The Minutemen responded promptly, tying the game in four plays. Redshirt senior quarterback Taisun Phommachanh rocketed the 58-yard touchdown pass to redshirt sophomore wide receiver T.Y. Harding.
Later in the first quarter, NIU turned the ball over after Minutemen redshirt senior defensive back Isaiah Rutherford intercepted Hampton on a throw into the endzone.
UMass extended its lead to 10-7 early in the second quarter with a 27-yard field goal by graduate student kicker Jacob Lurie.
On the next drive, redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Holst took over for Hampton as the Huskies’ signal caller. Hampton re-entered the game on NIU’s following drive.
Shortly before halftime, NIU picked up its second turnover of the half as redshirt senior running back Gavin Williams fumbled following a direct snap. The Minutemen capitalized on the turnover, kicking a field goal and creating a 13-7 lead going into halftime.
SECOND HALF
The Huskies tied the game on their first possession of the second half, scoring a touchdown but missing the extra point. Redshirt freshman running back Jaylen Poe found the end zone after a 22-yard rush.
UMass responded by taking the ball to the NIU 25, but NIU’s defense held firm on fourth-down, forcing a UMass turnover on downs.
On the next drive, the Huskies pieced together a 13 play, 75-yard drive that chewed off over seven minutes of clock. Poe capped off the drive with a 3-yard rushing touchdown, creating a 20-13 NIU lead.
The Huskies extended their lead to 27-13 after a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Williams. The touchdown capped off a 90-yard drive.
UMass cut NIU’s lead to 27-20 on the next drive as Phommachanh connected with Harding for a 16-yard touchdown.
Following an 89-yard kickoff return by Poe, Hampton’s quarterback sneak cemented the Huskies’ 34-20 victory.
UP NEXT
The Huskies return to action at 2:30 p.m. CST Oct. 12 to face Bowling Green State University at Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with a radio broadcast available on WDKB 94.9. Live stats will be available on SIDEARM Stats.
