Sept 21, 2002

Box Score

BROOKLINE, Mass. (AP) - Northeastern scored 28 points in the third quarter, including two interception returns for touchdowns, to defeat Massachusetts 42-17 in Saturday's Atlantic 10 opener for both teams.

The Huskies (3-0, 1-0 Atlantic 10), snapped a 16-game losing streak to the Minutemen (2-1, 0-1). The 42 points are the most Northeastern has scored on Massachusetts in 32 meetings.

Northeastern scored on its first possession, by driving 86 yards with Anthony Riley running 18 yards for the touchdown. Doug White's 44-yard field goal, the longest of his career, cut the deficit to 7-3 at the half.

But the Huskies got a quick touchdown from Tim Gale on a 1-yard run and another on a 16-yard pass from Shawn Brady to Quintin Mitchell to start the third quarter. Then Anthony Nolen returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown to make the score 28-3.

After Jeff Krohn hit Adrian Zullo with a 35-yard touchdown pass for Massachusetts, Kurt Abrams returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown, putting Northeastern ahead 35-10.

Massachusetts scored on a 12-yard pass from Krohn to Neal Brown, but Northeastern answered with Brady's 8-yard pass to Cody Thompson.

Krohn had a huge passing day, completing 33 of 52 passes for 401 yards. But he also threw three interceptions.

Brady completed 10 of 19 passes for 225 yards.

Riley led all rushers with 67 yards on 14 carries.