DEKALB, ILL -- Wounded animals in the wild can be very vulnerable or very dangerous. The Miami RedHawks currently fall into the latter category. After knocking off MAC East power Ohio last week, Miami edged West Division front runner Northern Illinois 13-10 Wednesday night in the first Mallory Cup matchup. The new trophy honors Bill Mallory, who was a successful coach at both schools and passed away earlier this year.
Ironically, MU (5-6, 5-2 MAC) upset the previously MAC-undefeated Huskies with a gutty defensive effort. Ir was ironic because Miami's defense is riddled with injuries, and the RedHawks lost standout linebacker Brad Koenig early in Wednesday's contest. However, it was the defense -- for the second consecutive week -- that came up with a decisive play.
PICK-SIX
Against Ohio, it was a second half safety that allowed MU to claim a 30-28 victory. Trailing 7-6 Wednesday at Northern Illinois (7-4, 6-1 MAC), Miami freshman defensive back Ja'don Rucker-Furlow put the RedHawks back in front with a pick-six interception at 7:21 of the third quarter. Sam Sloman's PAT kick left the RedHawks with a 13-7 lead, and the two teams traded punts through most of the remaining time.
As the clock wound down to about three minutes in the final period, NIU faced fourth down near midfield. A trick play, however, resulted in an incompletion to end the Huskies best fourth quarter threat.
THREE-POINTS FIRST HALF
After a scoreless first period, Miami put together a 75-yard drive that resulted in Sloman's first field goal of the night at 5:40. The RedHawks 3-0 lead stood until intermission, but Northern Illinois found the end zone on its first drive of the third period. Marcus Jones skirted the right side for 29 yards and a TD. With Andrew Gantz PAT boot, the Huskies took a 7-3 lead at 11:01.
Miami nearly took the lead, but settled for three shortly thereafter. After marching into NIU terrritory, the RedHawks faced a critical third down when the Huskies blitzed. Without enough time to scan the field quarterback Gus Ragland did not see an open right end end down the middle and got off a quick pass to the left that went incomplete. Miami settled for Sloman's 39-yard field goal, pulling to within one at 7-6 with 7:32 left in the third period..
Two plays after the ensuing kickoff, Rucker-Furlow picked off Childers' pass to the left sideline and scampered into the end zone for the winning score.
Childers completed 15 of 32 passing attempts for 157 yards with the one interception and was sacked just once. He also ran 13 times for a net of 57 yards. Tre Harbison, one of the MAC's top runners, carried 16 times for 103 yards. The Huskies ground game totaled 212 yards and one TD on the night.
HUSKIES TOUGH AGAINST RUN
Like other NIU opponents, Miami found it tough to run against the Huskies. However, the RedHawks, who averaged just 2.3 yards per carry did manage 94 yards and there were some key runs in the Miami scoring drives. Alonzo Smith led the way with 18 carries for 40 yards, while Kenny Young made nine trips for 33 yards.
Young had hurt opponents as a receiving option in recent weeks, but he had just one catch for nine yards against Northern. Jack Sorenson was the only RedHawk receiver with more than two catches. He pulled down seven receptions for 77 yards. Ragland completed 15 of 24 for passes for 107 yards overall and was sacked once.
Now at 5-6, Miami has one last shot to reach six wins and qualify for a bowl game. The RedHawks host Ball State Tuesday (7 p.m. ET).
Northern Illinois finishes its regular season at Western Michigan Tuesday (7 p.m. ET)