The Huskies use a big first quarter to beat CMU and end Jim McElwain’s tenure with a loss.
The Northern Illinois Huskies exploded for 19 points in the first quarter en route to a 24-16 win over the Central Michigan Chippewas on Saturday afternoon.
The Huskies (7-5, 4-4 MAC) came out of the gates strong, forcing CMU into a quick three-and-out and then taking the ball 66 yards in six plays to get the game’s first touchdown, capping off the first possession with a 24-yard end around run by halfback Gavin Williams on 4th and 1. However, the Huskies went for two and were unable to get it, making it 6-0.
Central Michigan (4-8, 2-6 MAC) went three-and-out on their next two possessions as well, while the Huskies scored touchdowns on in reply, pushing their lead even further midway through the first quarter.
NIU’s second touchdown came when quarterback Ethan Hampton took off and ran it 16 yards, untouched, into the endzone. The Huskies would miss the point after again, and it was a 12-0 game. Their third score came on a four-yard TD run by Telly Johnson but this time they were able to make the PAT, and went up 19-0.
From there, however, the momentum would swing all the way towards the Chippewas.
CMU would score on their fourth drive, putting together a nice seven-play, 77 yard drive that was capped off by a three-yard touchdown pass from Jadyn Glasser to Jesse Prewitt. But the Huskies blocked their PAT try and returned it for a score, giving the Huskies a 21-6 lead early in the second quarter.
NIU’s offense would start to sputter, turning the ball over three times on fourth down (on downs, on a fake punt attempt, and a fake field goal attempt.) Meanwhile, Central would add a field goal and then score a touchdown on a six-yard pass, again to Prewitt, to close the gap to 21-16 at the half.
On the opening drive of the second half, the Huskies added a field goal of their own— a 26-yard attempt— after a 17-play, 66-yard drive that took almost nine minutes off the clock stalled at the CMU 9-yard line.
Those would be the last points of the game, as from there on out the Huskies and Chips traded seven-straight empty possessions with just one punt. The Huskies missed a field goal attempt after a bad snap and turned it over on downs twice, while CMU fumbled, punted, threw a pick, and then turned the ball over on downs to seal the win for the Huskies.
NIU out-gained CMU 332-204 and was nearly even on yardage, with 169 passing and 163 rushing. The Chips had just 92 passing yards and 112 rushing yards. Seven penalties and two turnovers hurt Central, as NIU had just three fouls and zero forced turnovers.
Glasser finished the day 12-of-25 with 92 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, while halfback Marion Lukes had 13 carries for 78 yards. Prewitt led the team with five receptions for 37 yards.
Hampton was 19-of-29 with 169 yards with Rudolph being his main target, hauling in nine receptions for 97 yards. Johnson led the ground game with 84 yards on 20 carries while Williams had six for 65, with each having a TD.
With seven wins, the Huskies have all but secured a bowl berth. For CMU, this is the end of the 2024 season. They finish 4-8, securing the team’s third-straight losing season. They’ll be on the search for a new coach after Jim McElwain’s retirement was announced last week.