Interception return for TD dashes NIU’s hopes

DeKALB — Zack Moss ran for a touchdown and Chase Hanson added another score on a late interception return as Utah extended its nonconference winning streak to 21 with a 17-6 come-from-behind victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday night.

Tyler Huntley was 20-for-31 passing for 286 yards as the Utes (2-0) remained unbeaten in nonconference games since 2012 and improved to 28-1 since joining the Pac-12 Conference in 2011.

Marcus Childers passed for 111 yards and rushed for 12 more. Kicker Andrew Gantz booted two field goals for the Huskies (0-2).

Gantz’ 49-yard field goal with 1:23 left in the first quarter gave Northern Illinois a 3-0 lead it maintained through halftime. Utah’s Matt Gay — an AP preseason All-American —had a first-quarter field-goal blocked and a 43-yard second-quarter attempt go wide right.

Huskies defensive end Sutton Smith, who topped the nation with 14 sacks in 2017, hit Huntley for a four-yard loss with seconds left in the first half to help stop a late drive.

But Huntley set up Utah’s go-ahead touchdown with a 41-yard third-quarter strike to Jaylen Dixon to the Northern Illinois 35. Seven plays later, Moss, a junior running back, scored from the one for his second touchdown of the season as the Utes claimed their first lead at 7-3.

The Huskies narrowed the margin to 7-6 on a 27-yard field goal by Gantz with 6:51 left after a promising drive stalled at the Utes’ 9. Gay’s 40-yard field goal opened a 10-6 lead with 4:38 showing. Hanson’s 22-yard interception return two minutes later capped the scoring.

Saturday’s game was the first between the teams. They’ll play again in 2019 at Utah.

Utah, which led the nation in fewest yards allowed (59) entering Saturday, gave up 74 by late in the first quarter, 128 by halftime.