N. Illinois fends off C. Michigan comeback for 24-16 win
Marcus Childers threw for three touchdowns, and a late interception by Northern Illinois preserved the Huskies' 24-16 win over Central Michigan in a Mid-American Conference opener on Saturday.
NCAA - Football
FINAL
Central Michigan Chippewas
16
Northern Illinois Huskies
24
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMU | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 16 |
| NIU | 0 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
Huskie Stadium · 12,354 att.
Match Report
Last five matches
| Date | Opp | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/11/26 | vs Sacramento State Hornets | W 28-7 | NCAAF |
| 11/4/26 | @ Eastern Michigan Eagles | W 35-7 | NCAAF |
| 10/24/26 | vs Miami (OH) RedHawks | L 27-28 | NCAAF |
| 10/17/26 | vs Western Michigan Broncos | L 14-21 | NCAAF |
| 10/10/26 | @ Ohio Bobcats | L 14-31 | NCAAF |
| Full Schedule | |||
Play by Play
-
Field Goal 5:51 16-24
Andrew Gantz 36 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 9:43 16-21
Julian Hicks 4 Yd pass from Tommy Lazzaro (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed)
-
Touchdown 3:09 10-21
Tommy Lazzaro 6 Yd Run (Ryan Tice Kick)
-
Touchdown 6:30 3-21
D.J. Brown 2 Yd pass from Marcus Childers (Andrew Gantz Kick)
-
Touchdown 1:02 3-14
Dennis Robinson 7 Yd pass from Marcus Childers (Andrew Gantz Kick)
-
Touchdown 4:03 3-7
Spencer Tears 14 Yd pass from Marcus Childers (Andrew Gantz Kick)
-
Field Goal 12:54 3-0
Ryan Tice 27 Yd Field Goal
-
NIU
1 play, -1 yard, 0:17 · End of Game
-
CMU 0:17
15 plays, 66 yards, 2:44 · Interception
-
NIU 3:01
4 plays, 11 yards, 1:00 · Punt
-
CMU 4:01
3 plays, -5 yards, 1:46 · Punt
-
NIU 5:51
9 plays, 56 yards, 3:52 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 5:51 16-24
Andrew Gantz 36 Yd Field Goal
-
CMU 9:43
15 plays, 73 yards, 5:17 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 9:43 16-21
Julian Hicks 4 Yd pass from Tommy Lazzaro (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed)
-
NIU
6 plays, 17 yards, 3:04 · Punt
-
CMU 3:09
9 plays, 66 yards, 3:13 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 3:09 10-21
Tommy Lazzaro 6 Yd Run (Ryan Tice Kick)
-
NIU 6:30
6 plays, 65 yards, 2:59 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 6:30 3-21
D.J. Brown 2 Yd pass from Marcus Childers (Andrew Gantz Kick)
-
CMU 9:29
3 plays, 4 yards, 0:49 · Punt
-
NIU 10:18
6 plays, 23 yards, 3:07 · Punt
-
CMU 13:25
4 plays, 16 yards, 1:29 · Punt
-
CMU
4 plays, 16 yards, 1:02 · End of Half
-
NIU 1:02
4 plays, 22 yards, 1:29 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 1:02 3-14
Dennis Robinson 7 Yd pass from Marcus Childers (Andrew Gantz Kick)
-
CMU 2:31
4 plays, 10 yards, 1:32 · Punt
-
NIU 4:03
12 plays, 79 yards, 5:34 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 4:03 3-7
Spencer Tears 14 Yd pass from Marcus Childers (Andrew Gantz Kick)
-
CMU 9:37
3 plays, 12 yards, 0:53 · Fumble
-
NIU 10:30
4 plays, -16 yards, 2:24 · Punt
-
CMU 12:54
8 plays, 20 yards, 3:53 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 12:54 3-0
Ryan Tice 27 Yd Field Goal
-
NIU 1:47
4 plays, 9 yards, 1:45 · Interception
-
CMU 3:32
4 plays, 2 yards, 1:11 · Missed FG
-
NIU 4:43
4 plays, -42 yards, 1:24 · Downs
-
CMU 6:07
4 plays, 0 yards, 1:58 · Punt
-
NIU 8:05
4 plays, 19 yards, 2:25 · Punt
-
CMU 10:30
5 plays, 32 yards, 2:26 · Punt
-
NIU 12:56
5 plays, 34 yards, 2:04 · Punt
Showing the last 33 of 33 events.
Team Stats
CMU
NIU
21
1st Downs
15
6-16
3rd down efficiency
5-15
1-1
4th down efficiency
0-2
322
Total Yards
284
158
Passing
104
18/33
Comp/Att
12/20
4.8
Yards per pass
5.2
164
Rushing
180
46
Rushing Attempts
48
3.6
Yards per rush
3.8
4-31
Penalties
4-44
2
Turnovers
1
1
Fumbles lost
0
1
Interceptions thrown
1
28:31
Possession
31:29
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