FOURTH QUARTER
FINAL ... Northern Illinois 17, Kent State 14
I was down on the field for the final five minutes, and couldn't update.
A very disappointing finish for the Flashes who lost two quarterbacks as they tried to drive for a game-winning touchdown or game-tying field goal in the closing minutes.
An interception by Jordan Italiano at the Kent State 39 on a risky deep throw by Maddie gave the Flashes their late chance.
Colin Reardon marched the Flashes to the NIU 34 with 3:33 to play, but was injured running for 8 yards on 4th-and-1 from the Huskies 42. It was a beautiful misdirection play, but at the end Reardon suffered an apparent ankle injury and needed to be helped from the field.
Nathan Strock came in for two plays, absorbing a sack on first down and then leaving the field after throwing an incomplete pass on second down.
Enter Jack Williams for his first career appearance. After a third-down incompletion, the Flashes tried for a desperation 56-yard field goal attempt by Melchiori that came up short.
It would have been interesting to see what would have happened with Reardon in the game to the end. He answered some critics with an interception-free game and finished with 244 yards on 20-of-36 passing.
7:15 ... Northern Illinois 17, Kent State 14
A 7-play, 80-yard drive for the Golden Flashes ends with Colin Reardon scoring the team's first rushing touchdown of the season on a 2-yard bootleg run. Reardon then found Casey Pierce on a throwback for a 2-point conversion that pulled the Flashes to within just three points.
These young Flashes are showing a great deal of heart, learning from last week and not allowing the frustration to get to them.
10:02 ... Nate Holley is having a whale of a game at safety for Kent State.
He just made a spectacular open-field tackle on Northern wide receiver Desroy Maxwell, dropping him short of the marker and forcing the Huskies to punt.
The tackle was Holley's 16th of the game. Of those, 12 have been solo tackles.
Kent State's second leading tackler is Elcee Refuge with 5 tackles, all solo.
THIRD QUARTER
1:53 ... Northern Illinois 17, Kent State 6
The Flashes score their first points of the third quarter in 2014 on a 27-yard Anthony Melchiori field goal. Again, though, the Flashes offense had to settle after having it first-and-goal.
Kris White made two nice grabs on the 83-yard, 11-play march, including a 20-yard catch while fighting off Northern free safety Dechane Durante at the 20.
Little mistakes continue to be drive-killers though. On this drive, usually-sure-handed Chris Humphrey dropped an on-target pass on a short slant at the 5-yard line with the chance to run for at least a few more yards.
7:50 ... Turnovers are not the problem this week, but other drive killers have popped up for the Flashes.
There was the 19-yard loss on a bad snap in the first half.
Now drive No. 2 for Kent State in the second half stalled before it started when James Brooks fumbled on a hit that sent the football flying back towards the Flashes' goal line for a 14-yard loss.
9:35 ... Northern Illinois 17, Kent State 3
The Flashes need to find some offense as its defense may be showing signs of wearing down here early in the second half.
Northern sprinted 70 yards in just five plays to extend is lead on an 18-yard touchdown run by Jordan Huff – the first career touchdown for the redshirt freshman who is not listed among the four tailbacks on the Northern Illinois depth chart.
The Flashes offense suffered a three-and-out in its first possession of the first half.
13:03 ... Northern Illinois 10, Kent State 3
The Flashes score their first points of the third quarter in 2014 on a 27-yard Anthony Melchiori field goal. Again, though, the Flashes offense had to settle after having it first-and-goal.
Kris White made two nice grabs on the 83-yard, 11-play march, including a 20-yard catch while fighting off Northern free safety Dechane Durante at the 20.
Little mistakes continue to be drive-killers though. On this drive, usually-sure-handed Chris Humphrey dropped an on-target pass on a short slant at the 5-yard line with the chance to run for at least a few more yards.
7:50 ... Turnovers are not the problem this week, but other drive killers have popped up for the Flashes.
There was the 19-yard loss on a bad snap in the first half.
Now drive No. 2 for Kent State in the second half stalled before it started when James Brooks fumbled on a hit that sent the football flying back towards the Flashes' goal line for a 14-yard loss.
9:35 ... Northern Illinois 17, Kent State 3
The Flashes need to find some offense as its defense may be showing signs of wearing down here early in the second half.
Northern sprinted 70 yards in just five plays to extend is lead on an 18-yard touchdown run by Jordan Huff – the first career touchdown for the redshirt freshman who is not listed among the four tailbacks on the Northern Illinois depth chart.
The Flashes offense suffered a three-and-out in its first possession of the first half.
13:03 ... Northern Illinois 10, Kent State 3
Kent State's defense stood tall again after a 66-yard kickoff return by Northern's Jordan Huff to open the second quarter.
The Huskies took over at the Kent State 30, but after three plays were forced to settle for a 40-yard Wedel field goal.
Matt Sommers, Nate Holley, Jordan Italiano and Elcee Refuge with some good, solid tackling after some sloppy tackling by the Flashes' special teams on kickoff coverage.
SECOND QUARTER
HALFTIME
A solid first half by the Flashes. This could be a Kent State lead or a scoreless tie if not for the back-to-back personal foul penalties that help the Huskies turn a punt into their only points.
The Flashes have 144 yards in the first half compared to Northern's 211. They also have nine first downs compared to Northern's 10.
The killer in the first half was the roughing the passer play. That handed the Huskies second life. You absolutely have to get off the field on 3rd-and-21. Instead, two plays later, Northern had its only score. The Kent State defense very nearly pitched a first-half shutout.
1:54 ... Northern Illinois 7, Kent State 3
The Flashes are on the board after a 19-yard field goal by Anthony Melchiori. With such a young offensive line, Kent State didn't dare take a shot on 4th-and-1 1/2 after Holley was dropped for a 1-yard loss on 3rd-and-goal from inside the Northern 1-yard line.
While a touchdown would have been nice, the drive by Kent State was impressive. It included a 20-yard run by wide receiver James Brooks and a perfectly thrown post pass from Reardon to Brooks that gave the Flashes a first down at the Northern 4.
Take away the 19-yard loss on the bad snap in the first quarter – which goes into the books as a running play – and the Flashes running game would have 60 yards on 13 attempts.
Reardon has played well, rebounding from a tough game at Virginia last week – 10-of-18 for 105 yards so far.
7:09 ... Northern Illinois 7, Kent State 0
Back-to-back personal fouls against Kent State have allowed Northern Illinois to get on the scoreboard first.
The Huskies faced a 3rd-and-21 from the KSU 36, and were about to get off of the football field after Da'Ron Brown dropped a pass inside the Flashes' 5. But a roughing the passer penalty against Flashes defensive lineman Nate Terhune gave Northern a first down.
On the very next play a face mask penalty on KSU star Elcee Refuge gave the Huskies another first down at the 7. That set the stage for Brown atoning for his drop, taking an end around 7 yards for the touchdown.
10:07 ... The Flashes gambled once, then played it conservative on two fourth-down plays early in the second quarter.
A solid first half by the Flashes. This could be a Kent State lead or a scoreless tie if not for the back-to-back personal foul penalties that help the Huskies turn a punt into their only points.
The Flashes have 144 yards in the first half compared to Northern's 211. They also have nine first downs compared to Northern's 10.
The killer in the first half was the roughing the passer play. That handed the Huskies second life. You absolutely have to get off the field on 3rd-and-21. Instead, two plays later, Northern had its only score. The Kent State defense very nearly pitched a first-half shutout.
1:54 ... Northern Illinois 7, Kent State 3
The Flashes are on the board after a 19-yard field goal by Anthony Melchiori. With such a young offensive line, Kent State didn't dare take a shot on 4th-and-1 1/2 after Holley was dropped for a 1-yard loss on 3rd-and-goal from inside the Northern 1-yard line.
While a touchdown would have been nice, the drive by Kent State was impressive. It included a 20-yard run by wide receiver James Brooks and a perfectly thrown post pass from Reardon to Brooks that gave the Flashes a first down at the Northern 4.
Take away the 19-yard loss on the bad snap in the first quarter – which goes into the books as a running play – and the Flashes running game would have 60 yards on 13 attempts.
Reardon has played well, rebounding from a tough game at Virginia last week – 10-of-18 for 105 yards so far.
7:09 ... Northern Illinois 7, Kent State 0
Back-to-back personal fouls against Kent State have allowed Northern Illinois to get on the scoreboard first.
The Huskies faced a 3rd-and-21 from the KSU 36, and were about to get off of the football field after Da'Ron Brown dropped a pass inside the Flashes' 5. But a roughing the passer penalty against Flashes defensive lineman Nate Terhune gave Northern a first down.
On the very next play a face mask penalty on KSU star Elcee Refuge gave the Huskies another first down at the 7. That set the stage for Brown atoning for his drop, taking an end around 7 yards for the touchdown.
10:07 ... The Flashes gambled once, then played it conservative on two fourth-down plays early in the second quarter.
For the first time all season, head coach Paul Haynes chose to roll the dice on 4th-and-1 from the Northern Illinois' 45 yard line, moving the chains on a 3-yard run by Anthony Meray behind the left side of what appeared to be an unbalanced line for Kent State.
On 4th-and-3 from the 36, however, Haynes thought about taking another shot, but ultimately chose to send Anthony Melchiori onto the field to punt the football away. The first touchback of the season by Melchiori led to just the 16-yard net.
There was one very big play on the drive by Kent State as Calhoun made a juke to get into open space. The move turned a probable 6-yard gain on 3rd-and-6 into a 25-yard pickup.
FIRST QUARTER
0:00 ... A scoreless first quarter as Kent State's defense has been very good.
Demetrius Monday made the big play to force another Northern Illinois punt at the end of the quarter, dropping Joel Bouganon for a 2-yard loss on a third-and-10 screen.
The Huskies have moved the football (133 total yards to Kent State's 18), but only one scoring opportunity so far on the missed 39-yard field goal attempt by Tyler Wedel.
1:20 ... The Flashes are hoping to avoid being forced again to try to beat two teams again ... their opponents and themselves.
Unfortunately, after briefly moving into Northern territory, a high snap by center Alex Nielsen led to a 19-yard loss, a 3rd-and-23, and ultimately a punt.
The Flashes moved the chains twice on the drive – the first-down run by Holley and then on a roughing the passer when NIU's Jamaal Bass delivered a late hit on KSU quarterback Colin Reardon.
3:42 ... Kent State's defense has stopped another promising Northern Illinois drive.
After marching to the KSU 20 where they faced a 2nd-and-1, the Huskies were forced to settle for a 39-yard field goal attempt. Tyler Wedel missed that one wide left.
... and on 1st down, Nick Holley moves the chains for the Flashes, breaking several tackles on a 10-yard gain.
Holley is running hard for a kid who was limited in practice all week.
8:42 ... The Flashes offense is coming back onto the field after the defense played bend-but-don't-break on the Huskies first drive of the game.
Northern was 3-for-3 on third down before finally stalling in Kent State territory.
Kent State will start at its own 29 after a poor 7-yard punt by Northern quarterback Drew Hare ... which was actually a quick kick as the Huskies lined up as if they would go for it on 4th-and-3.
10:51 ... Kent State's cornerbacks have made an early impact as Demetrius Monday swats away a second-and-10 pass on a cornerback blitz.
Demetrius Monday made the big play to force another Northern Illinois punt at the end of the quarter, dropping Joel Bouganon for a 2-yard loss on a third-and-10 screen.
The Huskies have moved the football (133 total yards to Kent State's 18), but only one scoring opportunity so far on the missed 39-yard field goal attempt by Tyler Wedel.
1:20 ... The Flashes are hoping to avoid being forced again to try to beat two teams again ... their opponents and themselves.
Unfortunately, after briefly moving into Northern territory, a high snap by center Alex Nielsen led to a 19-yard loss, a 3rd-and-23, and ultimately a punt.
The Flashes moved the chains twice on the drive – the first-down run by Holley and then on a roughing the passer when NIU's Jamaal Bass delivered a late hit on KSU quarterback Colin Reardon.
3:42 ... Kent State's defense has stopped another promising Northern Illinois drive.
After marching to the KSU 20 where they faced a 2nd-and-1, the Huskies were forced to settle for a 39-yard field goal attempt. Tyler Wedel missed that one wide left.
... and on 1st down, Nick Holley moves the chains for the Flashes, breaking several tackles on a 10-yard gain.
Holley is running hard for a kid who was limited in practice all week.
8:42 ... The Flashes offense is coming back onto the field after the defense played bend-but-don't-break on the Huskies first drive of the game.
Northern was 3-for-3 on third down before finally stalling in Kent State territory.
Kent State will start at its own 29 after a poor 7-yard punt by Northern quarterback Drew Hare ... which was actually a quick kick as the Huskies lined up as if they would go for it on 4th-and-3.
10:51 ... Kent State's cornerbacks have made an early impact as Demetrius Monday swats away a second-and-10 pass on a cornerback blitz.
On first down, Malcom Pannell made a nice play coming up to drop Akeem Daniels for no gain after he caught a pass from Drew Hare. The Huskies love to throw to the running backs on all sorts of screens, so no surprise to see them go to it right away.
Unfortunately, a 14-yard throw on third down moved the chains.
Kent State's offense picked up one first down on the first possession of the game as Colin Reardon found Ernest Calhoun for 8 yards on third-and-7 ... and actually, the Flashes probably benefitted by a pretty good spot on the play.
PREGAME
That was a bit of a worry considering third-string back Miles Hibbler was injured last week and missed the game at Virginia.
Hibbler is back and listed as the third-stringer at running back, but his experience is obviously limited eight carries and 19 yards on the season.
Had Holley not been able to go, Hudson, Ohio native Steve Nagy might have been an option at running back. The sophomore fullback worked out at running back on Tuesday.
We have a few scratches from the lineup, and all will impact the depth on defense.
Sophomore Terence Waugh did not make the trip. He had been backing up Nate Vance at the Leo spot on the defensive front and was seeing significant action in the rotation. Now freshman Matt Sommers moves up and into that spot. Sommers has been a regular on special teams this season, but he has only a handful of snaps on defense.
Freshman nose tackle Jontey Byrd is also not with the team. Byrd has been a steady riser, seeing more and more action, and moving into a backup role behind Jon Cunningham at nose tackle. Last week at Virginia, Byrd picked off the first pass of his career. Zach Singer, another fast rising freshman, is listed as the backup to Cunningham today.
For the second consecutive week Kent State will be without starting cornerback Najee Murray. Freshman Demetrius Monday will start again in that spot.
As expected, though, seniors Calvin Tiggle and DeVante' Strickland will return after missing significant time to injury. Tiggle hasn't played since the opener. He is listed No. 3 at strong safety. Strickland will see his first action of the year backing up Matt Dellinger at linebacker.
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