Huskies Collapse in Final Quarter, Fall to Kent State 35-31

The Northern Illinois University (NIU) Huskies squandered a two-score lead in the final quarter of their last Mid-American Conference game, ultimately losing to Kent State University 35-31 on March 15, 2024. Despite holding a strong position earlier in the match, NIU’s performance faltered in the closing minutes, capping off a disappointing season.

NIU had built a commanding 31-20 lead, largely due to the efforts of Quinn Urwiler, who forced a critical turnover. His play allowed teammate Taylor Powell to recover the ball near the Kent State goal line, setting up a touchdown by Chavon Wright, who finished the game with an impressive 185 rushing yards on 30 carries. Wright’s second touchdown with just over 13 minutes left appeared to put the Huskies in control.

However, the Golden Flashes would not be denied. They outgained NIU 143-69 in the final 13 minutes of play. Kent State quarterback Cade Wofford responded with a 31-yard touchdown run, narrowing the deficit to three points with ten minutes remaining.

“There were critical moments where we needed to make plays, and we didn’t,” said NIU head coach Thomas Hammock. “If we had made that stop, the game could have turned out differently.”

The Huskies had a chance to regain momentum but were forced to punt after reaching midfield. Kent State then executed an 80-yard drive, culminating in a 26-yard touchdown by Gavin Garcia with just over four minutes left on the clock, taking the lead for good.

In a final effort, NIU advanced to the Kent State 27-yard line, but Jalen Macon’s fourth-and-10 pass fell incomplete, sealing their fate. The Huskies finished with 307 rushing yards, but struggled in the passing game, with Macon completing only five of ten passes for 27 yards.

This season marked a challenging conclusion for NIU, finishing with a 3-9 overall record and a 2-6 mark in the MAC. The team has now recorded four losing seasons under Hammock, who noted the importance of leadership during tough times. “I’m extremely proud of the seniors,” he remarked. “When you have a season like this, maintaining work ethic and morale is crucial.”

The roster included 21 seniors, but only 12 were featured prominently in Friday’s game. Looking ahead, the Huskies are set to join the Mountain West Conference in the upcoming season, which raises questions about their competitive prospects.

“We’re going to put our heads down and grind,” Macon stated, reflecting on the team’s commitment to improvement. “We need to identify the pieces that will help us succeed in the new conference.”

As NIU prepares for this transition, fans and players alike are hopeful for a resurgence in performance and results. The upcoming offseason will be critical for reshaping the team and setting a stronger foundation for the future.