DeKALB — The Huskies earned their first win of the season on Saturday, defeating the Holy Cross Crusaders in a close 19-17 victory. 

FIRST HALF

NIU opened the game on offense. Over the game’s first possession, the Huskies completed a first down before redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Holst was stopped at their 37 on third-and-12. 

Holy Cross completed a pair of first downs to reach their own 27 on second-and-3. The Huskie defense was able to force an incomplete pass hurried by senior defensive end Roy Williams, ending their drive. 

Starting at their own 34, the Huskies were able to drive the ball to Holy Cross’ 3. NIU took a 3-0 lead on a 20-yard field goal from senior kicker Andrew Glass. 

The Huskies defense held the Crusaders without a first down. Holy Cross sophomore quarterback Cal Swanson had a pass intercepted by redshirt senior safety Muhammed Jammeh at NIU’s 32 line. 

On the Huskies next drive, Holst threw a pass to redshirt sophomore running back Jaylen Poe at their own 44 to get a first down. After a rush and a pass combining for a 4 yard gain, Poe rushed for a one yard gain to Holy Cross’ 47, ending the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, the Huskies drove the ball for 9 yards before punting the ball. 

Holy Cross’ Swanson made a massive rush for a 33-yard gain to Holy Cross 36 for a first down. After a rush and a pass for 10 yards, Swanson threw an incomplete pass to junior wide receiver Charly Mullaly, resulting in a 15-yard penalty on the defense for pass interference from Holy Cross’ 42 to NIU’s 43. The Crusaders were unable to capitalize however. 

The Huskies next drive ended after a recovered fumble by redshirt sophomore punter Danny Vuckovic, resulting in a loss of 32-yards and a turnover on downs at their 45. 

On their next drive, the Huskies offense made a big drive. Holst threw a 25-yard pass to junior wide receiver DeAree Rogers on third-and-10 for a first down. An illegal substitution penalty and a rush by sophomore running back Telly Johnson Jr. resulted in an 11-yard gain and a first down. A complete 10-yard pass from Holst to redshirt junior tight end Jake Appleget resulted in another first down. NIU expanded their lead to 6-3 on a 39-yard field goal by Glass, ending the action in the first half. 

SECOND HALF

The second half began with a bang when Holy Cross’ receiver Cason made a huge 69-yard return to NIU’s 29. Their momentum from the return however was spearheaded by the Huskie defense. The Crusaders offense was only able to gain 8-yards during their drive and was unable to capitalize on the return. 

The Huskies drove the ball for 28 yards before Holst’s pass was intercepted by Crusader junior linebacker Carlo Crocetti at the Holy Cross 17. Despite this, Holy Cross was only able to drive the ball for 9 yards. 

At 1:40, Vuckovic punted for 0 yards at NIU’s 37. Holy Cross drove the ball 11 yards to NIU’s 26 to end the third quarter on second-and-10. 

To begin the fourth quarter, Holy Cross senior kicker Luis Palenzuela attempted a 44-yard drive which was no good. 

At 11:35 left, Swanson threw a complete pass to senior wide receiver Max Mosey for a 15 yard gain at first-and-10 for a first down at their own 23. Swanson threw another complete pass to Mosey for a 46-yard gain at NIU’s 16 on second-and-10. 

Swanson threw yet another complete pass to senior wide receiver Blake Youngblood for a 16-yard gain and a touchdown, making the score 9-6, giving them their first lead of the game. Palenzuela converted to extend the lead to 4. 

The lead would be short lived though, as NIU redshirt freshman cornerback Dev’ion Reynolds returned the ball for 96 yards to retake a 10-12 lead. 

The NIU offense would continue to dazzle in the fourth quarter with a 22-yard rush by junior wide receiver DeAree Rogers at Holy Cross 28. Poe rushed for a 21-yard gain at Holy Cross’ 2 for third-and-5. Redshirt senior running back Chavon Wright would extend the Huskies lead to 18-10 on a touchdown. 

Holy Cross’ Cason would close in on the next play for a 97 yard return to make the lead 19-16. Palenzuela would convert to make the score 19-17, completing the scoring in a wild fourth quarter. 

STATS

Holst completed 12 out of 18 passes with one interception for 101 yards before exiting the game with an injury.

Wright accounted for one of NIU’s touchdowns, rushing for 77 yards while Johnson Jr. contributed 70 yards of his own. 

Reynolds retook the lead in the fourth quarter for the Huskies, scoring a touchdown on a 96-yard kickoff return.

UP NEXT

The Huskies will take on the University of Maryland Terrapins at 6:30 p.m.  Friday in College Park, Maryland. Stats will be updated on SIDEARM Stats and the game will be available to watch on Big Ten Network.