Northern Illinois loses 29-23 to Miami (Ohio), dropping the Huskies to 3-8 entering the season finale

DeKALB, Ill. — Aveon Smith ran for two touchdowns about four minutes apart that gave Miami (Ohio) a lead just before halftime and threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Mac Hippenhammer as the Redhawks beat Northern Illinois 29-23 in the snow Wednesday night.

Smith completed 11 of 23 passes for 180 yards and ran for 105 yards on 20 carries for Miami (5-6, 3-4 Mid-American Conference).

John Richardson kicked a 31-yard field goal and Nevan Cremascoli threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Liam Soraghan that gave NIU (3-8, 2-5) a 10-0 lead with 4:45 left in the first quarter.

The Redhawks’ ensuing drive stalled at midfield, and Dom Dzioban’s 47-yard punt pinned NIU at its 3. Two plays later Harrison Waylee fumbled and kicked the ball out of the end zone for a safety that got Miami on the scoreboard.

Smith had four carries for 28 yards — including a 10-yard touchdown run — and completed a 13-yard pass on a six-play, 49-yard drive that made it 10-9 with 4:39 left in the second quarter.

After the Huskies went three-and-out, Tom Foley’s punt was blocked and went just 17 yards, giving Miami the ball at its 49. Six plays later Smith scored on a 15-yard run to make it 16-10 at halftime.

Cremascoli threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Kacper Rutkiewicz to put NIU back in front just 96 seconds into the second half, but Graham Nicholson kicked a 44-yard field goal five minutes later and Hippenhammer’s touchdown catch with 48 seconds left in the third quarter made it 26-17.

Antario Brown raced untouched for an 86-yard score 42 seconds later to trim the Huskies deficit to 26-23. Nicholson capped the scoring with a 24-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

Brown and Jaiden Credle each rushed for 97 yards for NIU. Cremascoli was 14 of 22 for 165 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

The Huskies wrap up the season Nov. 26 at home against Akron.