Western started with the ball and went three and out. After a short punt, NIU scored on their first play, a 31-yard touchdown run by Jordan Huff, giving NIU a 7-0 lead. Western punted, followed by NIU’s three and out, which Western followed with a four play, 63-yard drive, capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Reece Goddard to Keishawn Watson, knotting the game 7-7.
NIU followed with a six play, 43-yard drive, capped by a one-yard touchdown run by Marcus Childers, giving NIU the lead back, 14-7. On Western’s punt on the following drive, returner Chad Beebe dropped the punt and Western’s Treshaun Hayward recovered.