Northern Illinois jumped to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter with a 43-yard touchdown run and a field goal, but could not maintain momentum, allowing Western Michigan to rally and take control.

After Western Michigan cut the lead to 13-7, Northern Illinois turned the ball over on downs after a six-play, 20-yard drive, which led to a go-ahead touchdown for the Broncos before halftime.

Chavon Wright led the ground game with 92 yards on 21 carries, but the team lacked explosive plays after the initial touchdown, and the offense struggled to keep pace with Western Michigan's balanced attack.

The defense allowed Western Michigan to rush for over 300 yards and five touchdowns, with Jalen Buckley and Broc Lowry each scoring multiple times, exposing a weakness that opponents can exploit.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak in the series and marked the final MAC matchup before Northern Illinois moves to the Mountain West Conference next season, adding emotional weight to the defeat.

Maryland has lost five consecutive games, with four of the last five losses by a combined 18 points, indicating competitiveness but inability to close out games.

Coach Locksley cited the team's youth and inexperience as factors in the tough stretch, with the Terrapins managing only 83 total yards in the second half after a strong start.

Freshman QB Malik Washington rushed for 164 yards on eight carries, including a 73-yard TD on the second play, but the offense struggled to sustain drives thereafter.

Rutgers' Antwan Raymond rushed for a career-high 240 yards on 41 carries, exposing Maryland's run defense, which will need to improve against Illinois.

Maryland travels to Illinois on Nov. 15, needing to snap the losing streak and address offensive consistency and defensive run-stopping to stay bowl-eligible.