Northern Illinois Falls to Maryland in Competitive 20-9 Matchup

Northern Illinois University (NIU) faced a challenging opponent on Friday night, succumbing to the University of Maryland with a score of 20-9. Despite the loss, NIU showcased resilience against a Big Ten powerhouse that had recently triumphed over Florida Atlantic University with a commanding 39-7 victory.

NIU’s head coach, Thomas Hammock, expressed pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing their competitive spirit throughout the four quarters. “I’m proud of the way they competed for four quarters against a Big Ten opponent with a lot more resources, and we showed we have a lot of heart,” Hammock stated.

The Huskies demonstrated moments of offensive prowess, including an impressive 74-yard touchdown run from running back Telly Johnson Jr.. Johnson noted that the team had closely followed their game plan leading up to the match, which contributed to their moments of success.

Teammate and linebacker Filip Maciorowski echoed Johnson’s thoughts, reflecting on the need for execution to maximize their performance. “There’s always going to be some plays we want back, but that’s football,” Maciorowski explained. “So, we’re going to practice more, and get it fixed.”

As NIU heads into a bye week, Hammock remains optimistic about the team’s growth. He acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in their running game. “Telly had a nice explosive play, but we need more from our running game, to be honest with you,” he said, recognizing the strength of Maryland’s defensive front.

The Huskies managed to score only a field goal in the first half, leaving them trailing at halftime. Entering the second half, they understood the urgency to regain momentum. Maryland quarterback Malik Washington, who had a strong debut against Florida Atlantic, faced significant pressure from NIU’s defense, culminating in a crucial fumble recovery. Hammock noted, “That was a huge play, because now, you took points off the board.”

Despite a successful rushing game with 93 more rushing yards than Maryland, Hammock emphasized the importance of converting opportunities in the red zone. He reiterated the necessity for the team to aim for touchdowns rather than settling for field goals.

Redshirt senior running back Chavon Wright played a significant role in NIU’s offensive strategy, continuing to build on his impressive track record. Wright aims to surpass his previous season’s records of 2,233 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns in 2025, demonstrating his commitment to excellence on the field.

The Huskies entered this game following a narrow 19-17 victory over Holy Cross and will face the Mississippi State Bulldogs on September 20, 2024. Hammock believes this matchup will be one of their toughest challenges, yet he maintains confidence in the team’s capacity to build from this experience. “We can build from that, because the rest of the season, I don’t know how many teams on our schedule are going to be as good as [Maryland],” he remarked.

Overall, Hammock was satisfied with the team’s performance against the Terps, as NIU proved they could hold their ground against a formidable opponent and look forward to future opportunities for improvement.