By Jason Richland

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Northeastern football team headed to Hofstra University on Saturday staring at the possibility of its first three-game losing streak since October 2000. Three weeks ago, NU was in the hunt for a national title and ranked fourth in the nation. After Saturday’s 24-14 loss to the previously winless Pride, Northeastern is just trying to keep its head above conference waters.

After winning their first four games of the year, the Dogs fell to 4-3 and dropped out of the national polls.

Over the unsuccessful run, Northeastern’s rallies have fallen just short.

“We were 14-7 with Villanova in the fourth quarter at their place, and they had two weeks to prepare for us,” said coach Don Brown. “We came back to make it 28-20 at Harvard and we onside kick with a chance to get the ball back, and again we were virtually out of that game at half-time. I don’t think there is a lack of effort on any one’s part.”

In what had been billed as the Huskies rebound game following losses to Harvard and Villanova, NU faced a defense that was giving up 32.2 points a game and managed to score only 14 in the losing effort.

After holding the Flying Dutchmen to a three-and-out with 7:36 left in the fourth quarter, NU took the ball at their own 20-yard line. Northeastern Quarterback Shawn Brady led a drive that featured a brilliant 17-yard run by Tim Gale and capped it off with an 11-yard touchdown strike to sophomore Cory Parks.

With the Huskies now down by only a field goal, things were looking up on the Northeastern sideline: If they could contain the Hofstra offense and force them to punt, they would be in a good position to drive ahead and win the game.

Then, on the first play of their next possession, Hofstra running back Vemba Bukula broke loose on a 67-yard touchdown that zapped the wind out of the Husky sails for good. It was just the second rush of the day for Bukula.

“We get the game close, our guys continue to fight and battle and then we give up the big play off a missed tackle in zone play,” Brown said.

The game started innocently enough as the Pride, who lost to Division II school Elon University earlier this year, allowed NU to receive the ball from the opening kick. The Huskies gained one yard in their initial drive and were forced to punt.

The Pride set the pace for the afternoon by completing a pass to Isaac Irby for a first down three plays into their opening drive. Irby ended the day with eight catches for 139 yards, nearly doubling his previous high of 72 yards at James Madison two weeks ago.

With Hofstra driving into Husky territory at the end of the first quarter, the Husky defense stiffened to force a punt. Brown then put the ball in the hands of backfield standout senior Tim Gale for the next six plays.

“At least we got the run game going a little bit,” Brown said of his team’s ability to move the ball on the ground for the first time in weeks.

Gale ran for 107 yards on the afternoon, the first 100-yard effort for an NU back since week four.

The Huskies and the Pride traded a pair of drives before NU got on the scoreboard with a Tim Gale touchdown six minutes into the second quarter. Gale’s touchdown was set up by an 18-yard reception, and a 23-yard rush by running back Peter Harris.

The Husky defense held off the Pride on their next drive, setting the table for the Husky offense to shoot itself in the foot with another personal foul on the next series. The Huskies also committed a facemask penalty before the half was done.

“The thing that sticks out at you, is too many penalties,” Brown said of the fact that his team took over 100 yards in penalties.

Early in the second half, Hofstra quarterback Bobby Seck injured his knee and was replaced by Alex English. The loss of their quarterback did not stop the Hofstra offense, though. Running back Trevor Dimmie scored on a two-yard run with 4:22 left in the third quarter to help put Hofstra up 17-7.

After Bukula’s touchdown sealed the game, Shawn Brady was forced to leave with a finger injury on his non-throwing hand. Sean Cassidy stepped in and led a drive to the Hofstra two-yard line, but the momentum ended when Cassidy threw an interception to Prentice James in the end zone.

NU returns to Parsons Field Saturday to face Maine in the school’s Homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m.