Huskies open season with heartbreaking loss
DeKALB — Boston College converted two fourth downs on its final scoring drive that culminated in a Colton Lichtenberg 37- yard field goal with 5: 04 remaining and the the Eagles held on to beat Northern Illinois 23- 20 Friday in the opener for both teams.
NIU had a chance to tie, driving down to the BC 22, but Christian Hagan’s 39- yard kick with 21 seconds remaining hit the crossbar.
On the clinching drive, the Eagles turned a third- and- 18 into a fourth- and- one at their own 43. Quarterback Anthony Brown ran for two yards. Later in the drive, Brown found Kobay White for 12 yards on a fourth- and- four.
NIU trailed 13- 10 at halftime with its lone touchdown coming on a Ryan Graham 15- yard pass to D. J. Brown 13 seconds into the second quarter. Graham, who led the Huskies with 90 yards rushing on 12 carries, started the two- play drive with a 60- yard run. Graham was making his ninth career start.
After BC took a 20- 10 lead after scoring on its second possession of the second half, NIU responded with a 13- play, 75- yard drive that ended when Graham ( 15- for- 38, 190 yards, one interception) found Shane Wimann for a seven- yard touchdown. The highlight of the drive came on a first- and- 10 from the BC 31 when receiver Christian Blake took the ball on a jet sweep before throwing a 13- yard completion to Graham, who might have scored had he not tripped.
NIU later tied the game on a 21yard field goal with 14: 18 remaining in the game.
Chad Beebe led NIU receivers with six catches for 93 yards.
NIU had its streak of four consecutive home wins against Power 5 conference teams snapped.
Boston College quarterback Anthony Brown ( 26- for- 42, 191 yards) threw for two touchdowns in his first career start.
NIU hosts Eastern Illinois next Saturday.