Medders and Allen run Air Force past Northern Illinois, 28-7

Air Force made Evan Medders' first career start at quarterback a successful one Saturday night, beating Northern Illinois 28-7 through a rushing attack that produced every Falcons touchdown. Medders and fullback Owen Allen each ran for two scores, and Air Force won without completing a pass at Huskie Stadium.

Medders finished with 114 rushing yards and Allen added 100. The Falcons carried a 14-7 lead into halftime, then opened the third quarter with two touchdown runs that gave Northern Illinois a deficit it could not overcome. Air Force improved to 4-1 overall and earned its third consecutive win.

The game began with the kind of lengthy drive that would repeatedly leave Northern Illinois watching from the sideline. Air Force moved 83 yards in 15 plays, using 8:02 before Allen scored on a three-yard run. The Falcons later produced another extended touchdown possession before halftime, moving 75 yards in 13 plays over 7:17.

Northern Illinois had tied the score between those drives. Telly Johnson Jr. scored on a nine-yard run with 7:58 left in the second quarter, pulling the Huskies even at seven. Medders' four-yard touchdown run with 41 seconds left restored the Air Force lead before the teams went to the locker room.

The Falcons then accelerated the scoring pace. Allen broke a 33-yard touchdown run on the opening possession of the second half, making it 21-7 with 10:28 remaining in the third quarter. Air Force forced a Northern Illinois three-and-out, received the ball again and moved 55 yards in three plays. Medders finished with a 41-yard touchdown run for a 28-7 advantage.

CBS Sports’ condensed game follows the Falcons’ rushing touchdowns and Northern Illinois’ attempts to answer.

Those consecutive scores changed the shape of the evening. Northern Illinois needed to create more possessions and reach the end zone several times, while Air Force could keep handing the ball to an offense already converting third downs. The Falcons finished 10 of 13 on third down and held the ball for 39:09.

Matt Long contributed 76 rushing yards on seven carries, and Kemper Hodges added 52 on 11 attempts. Hodges threw Air Force's only pass, which fell incomplete. The academy's official report identifies Medders as the starting quarterback and Hodges as the fullback used on that passing attempt.

Northern Illinois quarterback Taron Dickens completed 13 of 20 passes for 140 yards and an interception. DeAree Rogers caught seven passes for 81 yards. Johnson led the Huskies with 47 rushing yards, while Dickens and Elijah Porter each added 33. Northern Illinois finished with 253 total yards and converted three of nine third downs.

Blake Fletcher intercepted Dickens early in the fourth quarter, ending another Huskies possession and protecting the three-touchdown lead. Air Force committed no turnovers. Northern Illinois fell to 0-5 overall and 0-1 in its first Mountain West season. The Falcons host UNLV next Saturday; the Huskies travel to Wyoming.

Sources

ESPN final box score and scoring plays · Air Force official final recap · Air Force beats NIU without completing a pass