NIU versus Central Michigan halftime report

Patrick Murphy | Northern Star

View of the NIU jumbotron from inside Huskie Stadium Oct. 19, in DeKalb, Illinois.

By James Krause

DeKALB — The NIU football team went scoreless in the first half against the Central Michigan Chippewas, trailing at halftime 9-0.

The Chippewas scored the game’s first points on a 58-yard touchdown pass from redshirt first-year quarterback Daniel Richardson to junior wide receiver Dallas Dixon.

The only other points of the half were on a bad snap on a punt attempt in the second quarter. In the ensuing scramble for the loose ball, NIU punched it out of the back of their own endzone for a safety, making it 9-0 for the Chippewas.

The Huskies defense has gotten after Richardson with three sacks in the first half. Redshirt senior Kyle Pugh has two sacks, his first forcing a CMU turnover on downs deep in NIU territory.

NIU’s offense made it deep into Chippewas territory late in the first quarter, but failed to convert on a fourth down and two yards to go. Redshirt senior quarterback Ross Bowers is currently 9-for-18 passing with 77 yards.

The second half can be seen live on ESPNU.