Northern Illinois stays winless as Hughes scores four times for Wyoming

Northern Illinois repeatedly reached scoring range Saturday without finding a way to keep up with Tyler Hughes. The Wyoming quarterback ran for a touchdown in every quarter, and the Cowboys handed the winless Huskies a 41-23 loss in Laramie.

Hughes rushed for 183 yards and four scores, completed 16 of 19 passes for another 196 yards and did not throw an interception. Wyoming gained 510 yards without a turnover, improving to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the Mountain West. Northern Illinois fell to 0-6 and 0-2.

Field goals could not match touchdowns

The Cowboys led 10-0 after Erik Sandvik's 37-yard field goal and Hughes' 53-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. JJ Schlenhardt got Northern Illinois on the board with a field goal, only for Hughes to answer with a 24-yard scoring run.

Another Huskies trip deep into Wyoming territory ended with Schlenhardt's 22-yard field goal. Sandvik made a 24-yarder as the half expired, extending the Cowboys' lead to 20-6. Hughes had already accumulated 157 rushing yards.

CW Sports' game highlights show Hughes' long runs:

Schlenhardt kicked his third field goal after halftime, but Wyoming again answered with a touchdown. Completions of 40 yards to Eric Richardson and 27 yards to Kyle Frendt helped set up Hughes' six-yard scoring run for a 27-9 lead.

A comeback needs consecutive stops

Northern Illinois finally reached the end zone on a 14-play, 75-yard drive. Telly Johnson Jr. scored from 13 yards, and a successful two-point conversion brought the Huskies within 10.

Their defense could not stop Wyoming's next possession. Hughes finished a 75-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, restoring a 17-point lead and giving him his fourth rushing score.

Wyoming's official recap reported Hughes was shaken up after an awkward hit later in the half. It did not provide a diagnosis or return timetable. Backup Landon Sims entered and ran 11 yards for a touchdown with 6:48 remaining, making the score 41-17. Mason Drube also took late snaps.

Markell Holman, starting with Samuel Harris unavailable, added 80 rushing yards on 14 carries. Richardson caught five passes for 77 yards, and Frendt had three catches for 61. Wyoming rushed for 314 yards and scored on all five red-zone visits.

Johnson finished with 139 rushing yards and a touchdown for Northern Illinois. Taron Dickens passed for 216 yards, including a late 34-yard touchdown to La'Don Bryant, while DeAree Rogers caught 11 passes for 89 yards. The Huskies host Hawaii next Saturday; Wyoming stays home to play Air Force on Friday.