Nov. 10, 2007
Final Stats
Box Score in PDF Format 
DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois tailback Justin Anderson scored two touchdowns, and the Huskies totalled 510 yards of offense to capture a 27-20 victory over Kent State Saturday at Huskie Stadium.
Northern Illinois sophomore linebacker John Tranchitella intercepted a Jon Brown pass at the NIU 10 yard line with 1:25 left in the game to halt Kent State's comeback bid and secure the victory for the Huskies (2-8, 1-5 Mid-American Conference).
The Golden Flashes (3-7, 1-5 MAC) opened up the scoring as starting quarterback Giorgio Morgan found paydirt with a 10-yard touchdown scamper in the first quarter. The Huskies responded on its next drive as Justin Anderson caught a 16-yard pass from Dan Nicholson to tie the game at 7-7.
Northern Illinois added two touchdowns to extend its lead to 21-7 midway through the second period. Anderson accounted for the go-ahead score with a four-yard run, and Reed Cunningham caught a 13-yard touchdown pass to give the Huskies their largest lead of the game.
Kent State's Alan Vanderink brought the Golden Flashes within seven before halftime with a one-yard touchdown reception from Brown.
Both teams kicked field goals in the third period, and NIU placekicker Chris Nendick put a second through to start the fourth quarter, giving the Huskies a 27-17 advantage with 9:32 remaining.
Kent State edged closer with a 40-yard field goal at the 3:07 mark. The Golden Flashes used an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, but Northern Illinois' Marcus Lewis recovered in Kent State territory.
The Huskies turned the ball over on downs four plays later, giving the Golden Flashes an opportunity for a game-tying drive with 2:39 left. Brown completed five consecutive passes to bring his team to the NIU 29 before Tranchitella's interception ended the drive.
Anderson earned 98 yards in the game, giving NIU a 1,000-yard rusher for the ninth consecutive season. But backup tailback David Bryant took the lion's share of the carries, taking the ball 28 times for a career-high 110 yards.
NIU quarterback Dan Nicholson completed 21-of-28 passes for 275 yards. Matt Simon led the Huskie receivers with 96 yards, while Cunningham caught a game-high seven passes for 65 yards.
Bradley Pruitt recorded 12 tackles to lead the Huskies' defensive effort while NIU collected four quarterback sacks on the day, including one-and-half by defensive end Brandon Bice.
Northern Illinois plays its last road game of the season next Saturday at Navy. The game will be broadcast by CSTV with a 2:30 p.m. (Central) kickoff.
--NIU--
