Huskies finally flash winning smiles

Behind an aggressive, opportunistic defense and the track speed of John Griffin - not to mention a visit from a team that hasn’t knocked off Northeastern since 1993 - the Huskies finally crashed the win column, beating Towson, 27-7, yesterday before an announced crowd of 1,920 at Parsons Field. The goal posts weren’t brought down, but the Huskies celebrated accordingly, singing and chanting and turning the music way up in the locker room. The party was a long time coming.

Northeastern had lost its final seven games last season and the first six games this year, falling to Boston College as well as four ranked Championship Subdivision teams. The last victory had been more than a year ago, 35-17, at Towson Oct. 4, 2008.

“This is much better than some of the other Saturdays,’’ said Northeastern coach Rocky Hager. “It was a very well-rounded team victory. We’re pleased that we’ve been able to get victory No. 1. Now it’s time to get back to work and try to get No. 2.’’

Well-rounded? The offense rushed for 233 yards, with Griffin setting a career high with 200 yards on 29 carries. The defense had two sacks and five interceptions - ending Towson’s final four possessions - picking off passes from three quarterbacks and limiting the Tigers to 210 total yards. Northeastern’s special teams also contributed, setting up the offense inside Towson’s 10-yard line and converting the first two field goals of the season.

Coming off a bye week, Northeastern (1-6, 1-3 Colonial Athletic Association) didn’t waste much time taking control, scoring 24 first-half points, eclipsing the highest output from any game this season.

Griffin did the bulk of the work on offense. His 70-yard touchdown run with 7:07 left in the second quarter was the longest of his career, the longest run by the Huskies this season, and pushed the lead to 21-0. His 166 yards by halftime had already topped his best game at Northeastern - last year’s 110 yards against Rhode Island, the only other 100-yard game in his college career.

“I didn’t expect numbers like that, but I knew I was capable of it,’’ said Griffin, who runs dash and relay events for the Huskies’ track team. “After the bye week, everybody’s got fresh legs, a lot of the linemen were back and looking good in practice, so I knew they were going to come out and have a good game. I just wanted to match that.’’

Before the Huskies even collected a first down, they led, 14-0. On Towson’s second possession, nobody picked up Kyle Hunte, a freshman linebacker from Brookline who blitzed and forced Tommy Chroniger to throw a screen pass earlier than he wanted. Reading the play perfectly, Northeastern nose tackle Mike Lukenda intercepted Chroniger’s pass and raced 20 yards for a touchdown, giving Northeastern a 7-0 lead. The screen, on third and 10, was a tendency the Huskies spotted by watching film. Lukenda knew just where to go.

“Kyle got right in his face, so I don’t think the quarterback even saw me or the running back, he was just expecting the running back to be there,’’ Lukenda said. “I guess the running back fell down and he threw it right to me. I caught it, and nobody was there to catch me.’’

The lead was doubled 2:39 later. Towson punter Bill Shears couldn’t handle a high snap, then tried to get a punt off, but was brought down by Northeastern’s Jason Vega and Phil Higgins just inside the 10-yard line. Elijah Harris took a handoff and scored on the next play.

In addition to Lukenda’s pick, Darryl Jones intercepted two passes, Jocquez Fears one, and Mike Laperriere one.

Returning for the first time in a month after suffering a shoulder injury, Northeastern quarterback Alex Dulski was efficient, completing 12 of 18 passes for 92 yards. Mat Johnson had two field goals - a 32-yarder in the final minute of the first half, and a 35-yarder late in the third after Towson (2-5, 1-3) scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass.

Michael Whitmer can be reached at mwhitmer@globe.com.