KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Western Michigan University football team suffered its first Mid-American Conference loss of the season, falling to Northern Illinois 42-28 at Stafford-Smith Field at Waldo Stadium Wednesday.
The Broncos held a 7-0 lead into the second quarter but the Huskies scored all 42 points in the second and third quarters keep WMU at bay.
After Jaden Nixon broke-off a 66-yard touchdown run to give WMU the lead in the first quarter, NIU opened up the second quarter with a 6-yard touchdown run by Terry Johnson Jr to tie it up at 7-7.
The Broncos were forced to punt early in the second quarter and the Huskies responded with an 8-play, 86-yard drive to take a 14-7 lead on a touchdown pass from Ethan Hampton to Tristan Tewes.
Western Michigan responded with 1:54 left in the second quarter on a 9-play, 75-yard drive capped off by Nixon’s second touchdown run of the night, this time from 14-yards out. But NIU used the remaining time of the half to drive down the field and score on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Hammond to Gavin Williams with 0:09 left to play in the half, giving the Huskies a 21-14 lead heading into the third quarter.
The Broncos opened the second half with a 4-play 38-yard drive, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Broc Lowry. The short scoring drive was set up by a career-long 61-yard kickoff return by Nixon.
Northern Illinois’ Cam Thompson countered with a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to retake the lead, 28-21. NIU then capitalized on a pair of interceptions by Hayden Wolff to build a 42-21 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Wolff connected with tight end Mareyhon Hrabowski to cut the lead to 42-28 on a 10-yard touchdown pass. The touchdown catch was the first of Hrabowski’s career.
The Broncos were unable to stop NIU’s rushing attack in the fourth quarter, with the Huskies wearing the clock down on a rushing attack by Johnson Jr. and Williams. Johnson Jr. led all rushers with a 141 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns.
Nixon finished with 95 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns, while Jalen Buckley had 80 yards on 16 carries. Kenneth Womack led WMU with four receptions for 51 yards.
The Broncos play next Tuesday at Bowling Green. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
(courtesy WMU Athletics)
Comments