GRAND ISLAND – Northwest’s dramatic comeback victory on Friday won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
The Vikings hosted rival Aurora and rallied to defeat the Huskies 35-34 after trailing by 21 points at halftime.
Riley Schliep put the Vikings up 7-0 with a 17-yard catch from Carter Terry last in the first quarter, but Aurora running back Cal Narber would score on Aurora’s next drive to tie things 7-7 after the first quarter.
The Huskies took over in the second quarter by posting 21 points thanks to two onside kick recoveries. Narber hit Cade Reichart for a 55 yard score, Baylor Scheierman punched in a one yard score, and Narber posted his second rushing TD from four yards out to give Aurora a 28-7 lead at the break.
Northwest’s comeback began with a Brady Glause pick-six to cut the lead in half early in the third quarter. On The Vikings’ next possession Terry aired it out to Danny Fisher for a 60-yard score to make it 28-21 heading into the fourth.
After a missed Aurora field goal the Vikings capped of an 80-yard drive with another 17-yard TD pass to Schliep with the senior brining it down with one hand to tie the game 28-28.
The Vikings eventually took a 35-28 lead on a 27-yard toss from Terry to Preston Ellsworth with 1:38 remaining in the game, but Aurora marched down the field and Scheierman hit Reichardt on a 34-yard flea flicker pass to bring the Huskies within one with 0:30 to go.
Aurora opted to go for the two point conversion but was unable to convert which allowed Northwest to hold on for the victory.
#10 AURORA (4-4) 7 21 0 6 – 34
#9 NORTHWEST (6-2) 7 0 14 14 – 35
