ATHENS, OH (AP) — John Richardson booted a field goal as time expired to give Northern Illinois a 39-36 victory over Ohio on Saturday.
The teams scored two touchdowns apiece in a back-and-forth fourth quarter to arrive at a 36-all tie with 3:38 remaining. Ross Bowers led the Huskies (2-4, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) on a 56-yard drive and Richardson capped it with his 37-yard field goal as time expired for the win.
Richardson also kicked a 51-yard field goal late in the first quarter.
Bowers had 338 yards and a score passing for the Huskies. Tre Harbison ran for 113 yards and three touchdowns.
The Huskies’ Corey Lersch blocked the first punt of the game, following a three-and-out by Ohio, and Adam Buirge returned it for a Northern Illinois touchdown. Ohio answered with three first-half touchdowns to lead 21-10 at intermission.
Harbinson’s two touchdown runs in the third quarter gave the Huskies a 22-21 lead going into the wild fourth.
Nathan Rourke threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns for the Bobcats (2-4, 1-1).
Ohio U. stats
N. Illinois 10 0 12 17 = 39
Ohio 7 14 0 15 = 36
First Quarter
NIL—Buirge 3 blocked punt return (Richardson kick), 12:53
OHI—N.Rourke 8 run (Zervos kick), 8:06
NIL—FG Richardson 51, 5:49
Second Quarter
OHI—N.Rourke 2 pass from Knock (Zervos kick), 12:14
OHI—Pleasants 2 run (Zervos kick), 3:36
Third Quarter
NIL—Harbison 4 run (pass failed), 9:44
NIL—Harbison 1 run (pass failed), 3:13
Fourth Quarter
NIL—Richie 30 pass from Bowers (Richardson kick), 12:08
OHI—R.Luehrman 8 pass from N.Rourke (J.Ross run), 8:25
NIL—Harbison 3 run (Richardson kick), 5:15
OHI—Hooks 47 pass from N.Rourke (Zervos kick), 3:41
NIL—FG Richardson 37, :00
———
NIL OHI
First downs 22 23
Rushes-yards 31-169 34-178
Passing 341 260
Comp-Att-Int 24-40-1 20-33-0
Return Yards 23 174
Punts-Avg. 2-32.5 4-38.5
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 3-11 6-70
Time of Possession 28:55 31:05
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—N. Illinois, Harbison 25-113, Childers 2-75, Nettles 1-(minus 2), Bowers 3-(minus 17). Ohio, N.Rourke 12-80, Allison 11-79, J.Ross 9-26, Pleasants 1-2, (Team) 1-(minus 9).
PASSING—N. Illinois, Childers 1-1-0-3, Bowers 23-39-1-338. Ohio, I.Cox 0-1-0-0, Knock 1-1-0-2, N.Rourke 19-31-0-258.
RECEIVING—N. Illinois, Tucker 8-118, Brinkman 5-100, Crawford 5-21, Richie 2-44, Love 2-16, D.Robinson 1-25, Jones 1-17. Ohio, Hooks 7-131, R.Luehrman 4-53, Odom 3-30, I.Cox 2-27, A.Luehrman 1-10, Walton 1-6, N.Rourke 1-2, Knock 1-1.
MISSED FIELD GOALS—N. Illinois, Richardson 44, Richardson 49.