2020 Season Finale - NIU Football at Eastern Michigan Highlights - 12/12/20

Eastern Michigan led the Northern Illinois University Huskies by 17 points three times in the second half before turning back a late NIU rally to claim a 41-33 win in the season finale for both teams. With the loss, NIU completed the shortened, six-game 2020 Mid-American Conference season with an 0-6 record while Eastern Michigan finished at 2-4. Freshman Harrison Waylee recorded his second straight 100-yard rushing game with 122 yards on 23 carries, and back-up quarterback Dustin Fletcher provided a spark in the second half with 63 yards on 11 carries. Quarterback Ross Bowers completed 22-of-37 passes for 221 yards with touchdown passes to Tyrice Richie, Messiah Travis and Cole Tucker. Senior Kyle Pugh led the Huskie defense with nine tackles, while freshman Devonte O'Malley recorded a pair of tackles for loss, a quarterback sack and forced a fumble. "Obviously the end result is disappointing," said NIU Head Coach Thomas Hammock. "I appreciate the fight of our young men, they kept fighting for four quarters. We didn't make enough plays early in the game to keep it closer than what it was. For us, it's going to be a critical offseason." NIU fell behind 41-24 with 10:14 to play on a one-yard touchdown run by Eastern Michigan quarterback Preston Hutchinson. After a Huskie punt, EMU got the ball on its 20, but lost 18 yards on a bad snap. Two plays later, NIU's Michael Kennedy tackled Hutchinson in the end zone for a safety. With 3:20 to play, Eastern Michigan led 41-26.