Miami 29, NIU 23: Five takeaways from the Huskies’ loss

DeKALB – NIU didn’t convert on a third down, instead depending on big plays in a 29-23 loss to Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday.

The loss dropped the Huskies to 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the MAC, while the RedHawks improved to 5-6 and 2-5 in the conference.

Here are five takeaways from the loss:

Interception ends NIU comeback attempt

Down 29-23 in the fourth quarter, the Huskies drove down to Miami territory, and after a fourth-down conversion on a screen pass to Kacper Rutkiewicz, NIU had a fresh set of downs at the Miami 26 with 5:40 left.

But on second-and-20 after a holding call, Nevan Cremascoli was intercepted.

Miami was able to run out the clock for the win.

Miami turns big third-down plays into points

Not every third-down play for the RedHawks was great – Devonte O’Malley got a strip sack and fumble recovery on a third-and-long – but Miami got some big gains in third-and-long situations that helped build a two-score lead.

Up 19-17 late in the third quarter, Ray Thomas tackled quarterback Aveon Smith for a 3-yard loss, bringing up third-and-13 from the Mami 30. Smith scrambled for 21 yards for a first down. On the next series facing a third-and-8, Smith found Mac Hippenhammer for a 49-yard touchdown to expand the lead to two scores for the first time.

Defense tapers off in first half

The Huskies came out swinging on defense early, forcing punts on the RedHawks’ first five drives and holding them to 36 yards. But the Redhawks got touchdowns on the last two drives of the half on 100 yards of total offense during those scoring drives.

Deven Lafayette and Pierce Oppong shared a sack, Jordan Gandy and Izayah Green-May each had a deflection, and Lafayette, James Ester and JaVaughn Byrd had tackles for losses, all in the first half.

But those final two scores on runs by quarterback Aveon Smith – and an earlier safety – turned a 10-0 early NIU lead into a 16-10 lead for the Redhawks at the break.

Offense rolls early

Despite the steady snow early on, the NIU offense scored on its first two possessions. Jaiden Credle went for 55 yards on the first play for the Huskies, although NIU ended up settling for a field goal.

On the next drive, Nevan Cremascoli hit Shemar Thornton for a pair of first-downs, then hit Liam Soraghan with a 15-yard touchdown pass for a 10-0 lead.

That didn’t hold. After 128 yards on the first two drives, NIU managed only 12 on their next five drives combined without a first down.

Safety dance

NIU started its third drive pinned back on its own 3. On the second play, Harrison Waylee fumbled the ball in the end zone. He kicked it out of bounds, resulting in a safety. It was the first safety the Huskies have given up since Nov. 10, 2021, against Ball State.

Waylee missed last week’s game, as did Anatrio Brown. Both returned for limited action, with Brown sitting out the first half. He did have an 86-yard scoring run late in the third quarter to draw the Huskies within 26-23.