NIU football (1-2) fell to the Mississippi State University Bulldogs (4-0) 38-10 on Saturday. Travelling to matchup with the Bulldogs for the first time in program history on Saturday, the Huskies totaled 267 yards, compared to the Bulldogs’ 452. 

FIRST HALF

Electing to receive, NIU opened the game with possession. The Huskies reached Bulldog territory three plays in, as sophomore running back Telly Johnson Jr. broke through for a 32-yard run. Despite a 10-play drive nearly reaching Mississippi State’s 10-yard line, NIU gained an early 3-0 lead after senior kicker Andrew Glass drilled a 30-yard field goal. 

Mississippi State got off to a quick start, piecing together a lengthy 13-play drive resulting in a touchdown and putting the Bulldogs up 7-3 late in the first quarter. Senior wide receiver Brenen Thompson scored for Mississippi State, finding the endzone on a 10-yard run. 

NIU responded with a fruitless drive, resorting to a punt. The teams proceeded to trade punts, as the Huskies forced a three-and-out while the Bulldogs were pinned to their goal line. 

The Huskies capitalized on their new-found possession, scoring a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Holst connected with junior wide receiver DeAree Rogers for a 24-yard touchdown pass and gave NIU a 10-7 lead. 

Following a failed onside kick attempt by NIU, Mississippi State responded promptly and regained a 14-10 lead after Bulldogs graduate quarterback Blake Shapen connected with redshirt senior tight end Seydou Traore for a 1-yard touchdown pass. On the ensuing drives, the teams traded punts. 

With regained possession, the Huskies failed to put up points and were forced to punt once again. NIU proceeded to force the Bulldogs to punt, gaining possession once more before half. 

The Huskies then kneeled, sending the game to halftime facing a 14-10 deficit. 

SECOND HALF

Opening the second half with possession, Mississippi State quickly reached the Huskies 3-yard line after a 45-yard pass. Two plays later, the Bulldogs went up 21-10 after graduate running back Davon Booth reached the endzone on a 1-yard touchdown rush up the middle. 

Now facing a two-score deficit, NIU responded with a promising but fruitless drive. After reaching the Bulldogs’ 20-yard line, Holst turned the ball over for the Huskies, throwing an interception. 

Mississippi State capitalized on the turnover with a drive lasting over seven minutes and resulting in a field goal. The Bulldogs went up 24-10 with under a minute remaining in the third quarter after junior kicker Kyle Ferrie nailed the 48-yarder.

On the following drive, NIU put together a 6-play drive but failed to convert on fourth down, handing the Bulldogs the ball on their own 36-yard line. Mississippi State responded promptly, pulling away with a 31-10 lead after a 6-yard touchdown run. 

After regaining possession, Mississippi State extended its lead to 38-10 late in the fourth quarter. On first and goal, sophomore running back Xavier Gayten found the endzone on a 1-yard run to give the Bulldogs the late score.

NIU failed to respond, allowing Mississippi State to run off the remainder of the clock and leading to a 38-10 victory for the Bulldogs.