DeKALB, Ill. - Two first-half Nevada takeaways led to touchdowns, keying the Wolf Pack jumping on NIU and cruising to a 28-7 victory Saturday in DeKalb.
Cornerback
Joshua Scott fought a lofted ball away from his mark on NIU's opening possession, the interception setting the Wolf Pack up on the Huskie 40-yard line. Eight plays later
Herschel Turner Jr. went around left end from six yards out for the 7-0 Nevada lead, starting a big day which saw him finish with 153 yards on 13 carries and two scores.
The Pack's second takeaway came as linebacker
EJ Smith stripped NIU quarterback Taron Dickens at the Nevada 40, the ball popping up right into the hands of
Isaiah Jordan who returned to midfield. Turner again capped the drive, scampering 29 yards to give the Wolf Pack a 14-0 lead.
Three total takeaways highlighted a Wolf Pack defensive effort which kept the Huskies (0-10, 0-6 MW) off the board until there remained just over four minutes in the contest. Linebacker
Jeremy Naborne-Owens forced a fumble and had six tackles, including 1.5 for loss, while
Kameron Brown had a sack among his two tackles-for-loss. Smith finished with six tackles along with his forced fumble.
Quarterback
AJ Bianco ran a steady ship, hitting
Trace Estes for touchdowns of 51 and 22 yards, while adding a career-high 90 yards to a rushing attack which went for 308 yards at a clip of six per carry. For the day, Bianco completed 6-of-13 passes for 96 yards and the two touchdowns to Estes.
Nevada (4-6, 3-3 MW) returns to Reno for Senior Night next Saturday, hosting Hawai'i at 7:30 p.m.
