Northern Illinois University back-up quarterback Josh Holst ran for a 22-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter and the Huskie defense held Bowling Green scoreless for the final 54 minutes of the game as NIU earned a 17-7 Mid-American Conference victory Saturday at Doyt Perry Stadium.

NIU improved to 4-2 on the season, 1-1 in the MAC while Bowling Green fell to 2-4, 1-1.

Holst, a redshirt freshman from Marengo, Illinois (Marengo Community HS) came on after starter Ethan Hampton was knocked out of the game midway through the second quarter with NIU trailing 7-3. He finished the game 10-of-14 passing for 89 yards with eight carries for 47 yards and the Huskies’ lone touchdown of the game.

“I thought he really managed and handled the game well,” said NIU head coach Thomas Hammock. “He protected the ball, he handled the situation, and he’s going to be a threat in the passing game and the running game, which makes us more dangerous on offense. [The touchdown] was huge. It changed the momentum, gave us the lead and then we looked to extend the lead.”

NIU took a 3-0 lead on the first possession of the game as Kanon Woodill made a 46-yard field goal to complete a 10-play, 46-yard drive.  Bowling Green answered with what would be its only score of the game, driving 75 yards in five plays and 2:03. BG quarterback Connor Bazelak’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr. on third down made it 7-3 Falcons with 8:58 to play in the first quarter.

Bowling Green gained just 135 yards the rest of the game as NIU forced five punts, recorded six sacks and held the Falcons to just 1-of-12 on third downs.  The Huskies entered the game ranked second in the country on third down conversion defense and its six sacks were the most by NIU since November 9, 2022 versus Western Michigan. Bowling Green quarterbacks threw for only 98 yards on 10-of-23 passing, the third time this season a Huskie opponent threw for less than 110 yards.

Defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard led the defensive onslaught with two sacks and a tackle for loss among his six tackles, including five solo stops. All six sacks were recorded by the defensive front four with Jalonnie Williams, Roy Williams, Cade Haberman and Devonte O’Malley joining the sack parade. The Williams’ combined on one of the two Bowling Green turnovers with Roy’s sack causing Bazelak to fumble, which Jalonnie grabbed out of the air and returned 17 yards to the Bowling Green 10-yard line in the second quarter.

“[The defensive line was] phenomenal. You know, I thought they kept fighting to get back there and try to create plays,” Hammock said. “We are built inside out with our front on defense and our front on offense. So I was proud of the way they played.”

NIU pulled within one point of the Falcons at halftime on Woodill’s second field goal as Holst led NIU on a 13-play, 54-yard drive at the end of the half. After the defense forced a BGSU three and out, the Huskies drove from its 42-yard line to the Bowling Green four where Woodill hit the 21-yard three with 1:40 left.

Bowling Green drove from its 27 all the way to the NIU two-yard line to open the third quarter. The Huskies tackled Fannin Jr. for no gain on first down, and Gill-Howard burst through to sack Bazelak for a loss of seven. An illegal formation penalty nullified a 27-yard field goal and Zach Long’s second attempt from 32 yards was no good.

An exchange of punts followed before the Huskies got the ball back with 3:39 to play in the third quarter and embarked on a seven-play, 46-yard drive. Gavin Williams – who rushed for 102 yards on 29 carries in the game – and true freshman Ahmir Smith got the Huskies to the BG 30 in five plays. On third and six, Holst found Cam Thompson for eight yards and a conversion to the 22. After the quarter break, the NIU quarterback took the ball right with the offensive line pushing the defense to the left, beat one defender, got a block from wide receiver Kyle Thomas, and tiptoed down the sideline for the score to put the Huskies ahead 12-7. On the two-point conversion try, tight end Grayson Barnes got the snap and threw to long snapper Isaac Hatfield, who caught the ball in the end zone to give the Huskies a 14-7 lead.

On the ensuing possession, Bowling Green drove from its 25 to the NIU 32, helped by a pair of Huskie penalties, including one on a punt which extended the drive. On fourth and two, BG receiver Jamal Johnson was stopped short and NIU took over on downs.

Holst completed passes to Andrew McElroy, who led NIU with five catches for 47 yards, and Cam Thompson to convert third downs on the Huskies’ next drive. Thompson looked to make a nine-yard touchdown catch but the play was erased by an illegal formation call and NIU settled for a 27-yard Woodill field goal with 6:00 on the clock.

The Huskie defense continued its dominating performance, with safety Nate Valcarcel capping the day with by intercepting BGSU back-up quarterback Lucian Anderson III with 2:07 to play.

NIU returns to Huskie Stadium next Saturday as the Huskies will take on Toledo in the 117th Homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. (CT) on ESPN+.  Tickets to the game are on sale with discounts available for East Side general admission tickets for $11.70 each using promo code NIUHC24. Get four west side reserved seats AND a parking pass for the Stevenson Lot (adjacent to Ralph McKinzie Field at Walt and Janice Owens Park) for just $125.  Go to NIUHuskies.com/tickets to purchase or call 815-753-PACK (7225) during regular business hours.