DeKALB – Facing off against MAC-leading Western Michigan University on Tuesday night, NIU football fell to the Broncos by a score of 35-19.
FIRST HALF
The Huskies (3-8, 2-5 MAC) began with possession and redshirt junior quarterback Jalen Macon under center. NIU drew first blood after sophomore running back Telly Johnson Jr. broke away for a 43-yard rushing touchdown to give the Huskies a 7-0 lead.
Western Michigan’s (7-4, 6-1 MAC) proceeding drive was short lived after junior safety Jasper Beeler intercepted Broncos redshirt sophomore quarterback Broc Lowry. The takeaway handed NIU the ball within Western Michigan’s 20-yard line.
The Huskies then extended their lead to 10-0 after senior kicker Andrew Glass booted a 39-yard field goal.
The two teams then traded punts with Western Michigan reassuming possession at their own 25-yard line. The Broncos left the drive empty handed, failing to convert on fourth and three.
On the ensuing drive, NIU marched 52 yards down the field and gained a 13-0 lead after Glass drilled his second field goal of the night.
After the teams traded punts, Western Michigan narrowed NIU’s deficit to 13-7. Lowry logged the score for the Broncos, bruising through for an 18-yard rushing touchdown.
In their responding drive, NIU failed to convert on fourth and one, handing Western Michigan possession at the Huskies’ 40-yard line. The Broncos capitalized on their newfound possession, gaining a 14-13 lead late in the second quarter.
On their final drive of the half the Huskies failed to regain the lead, sending the game to halftime.
SECOND HALF
In the opening possession of the first half, the Broncos stringed together a 12-play, 89-yard drive amassing nearly seven minutes of clock. Western Michigan capitalized on the long drive, gaining a 21-13 lead after Lowry rushed for a 8-yard touchdown.
The score remained stagnant for the remainder of the third quarter as the teams continued to trade punts.
With reclaimed possession, Western Michigan extended their lead to 27-13 thanks to a 1-yard rushing touchdown after another lengthy drive. Following Western Michigan’s scoring drive, freshman quarterback Brady Davidson took over for Macon.
The Davidson-led Huskies failed to make any noise and resorted to a punt. Prior to the punt attempt, redshirt freshman punter Danny Vuckovic fumbled the snap and gave the Broncos the ball at NIU’s 5-yard line.
Western Michigan scored promptly, creating a 35-13 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
NIU responded, scoring its first touchdown since the first quarter after Davidson connected with redshirt sophomore Rickey Taylor Jr. for an 18-yard passing touchdown. The Huskies trimmed their deficit to 35-19 after failing the accompanying two-point conversion.
Western Michigan was then able to kneel out the win, sealing the 35-19 victory.
