On a day when the Northwestern Wildcats are struggling to move the ball against Massachusetts, its special-teams unit came through with the spark the Wildcats desperately needed.
UMass set up for a 30-yard field goal to open the second quarter with a chance to take a six-point lead. Instead, the Wildcats broke through the line and blocked it, leaving the ball bouncing around on the field.
Junior linebacker Chris Bergin scooped it up and followed his convoy down the sideline for the 85-yard return touchdown.
The huge play entirely swung the momentum of Saturday’s game with a massive 10-point swing that turned a potential six-point deficit into an early lead for the Wildcats.