Northern Illinois Beats Akron to Become Bowl-Eligible for Second Straight Season
Huskies Shut Out Zips in Second Half
Telly Johnson Jr. and Gavin Williams each ran for more than 100 yards, while wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph accounted for two scores, as Northern Illinois shut out Akron in the second half in a 29-16 victory at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb.
Johnson and Williams Lead the Way on the Ground
Johnson had 104 yards rushing on 21 carries for the Huskies, while Williams ran nine times for 101 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown run that ended the scoring with 7:56 remaining against the Zips.
Rudolph Scores Twice in the First Quarter
Rudolph scored on a 58-yard reverse and threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Dane Pardridge, each in the first quarter. The Huskies took an early 14-0 lead, which they would never relinquish.
Hamilton Adds to the Lead
Ethan Hamilton’s 32-yard touchdown pass to Grayson Barnes stretched the Northern Illinois lead to 23-16 with 5:32 to play before halftime.
Finley and Norton Lead Akron’s Offense
Ben Finley tossed a 40-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Norton for Akron. Finley completed 19 of 52 passes for 205 yards. Noel Roach also blocked a punt for a touchdown for the Zips.
Northern Illinois Secures Bowl Eligibility
With the win, Northern Illinois becomes bowl-eligible for the second straight season. The Huskies will look to build on this momentum as they enter the final stretch of the season.
Conclusion
The Northern Illinois Huskies have secured bowl eligibility for the second consecutive season, thanks to a strong performance against the Akron Zips. With a solid ground game and timely passing, the Huskies were able to shut out the Zips in the second half and secure the win.
FAQs
Q: Who led the Huskies in rushing?
A: Telly Johnson Jr. and Gavin Williams each ran for over 100 yards, with Johnson having 104 yards on 21 carries and Williams having 101 yards on nine carries.
Q: Who scored the Huskies’ two touchdowns in the first quarter?
A: Trayvon Rudolph scored on a 58-yard reverse and threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Dane Pardridge.
Q: Who led the Zips’ offense?
A: Ben Finley completed 19 of 52 passes for 205 yards and tossed a 40-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Norton. Noel Roach also blocked a punt for a touchdown.
