Nov. 21, 2009
Final Stats |
Notes
Box Score 
ATHENS, Ohio - In a battle of Mid-American Conference contenders, the Ohio Bobcats scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to claim a 38-31 victory over Northern Illinois Saturday at Peden Stadium. The loss snapped NIU's four-game MAC winning streak and gave Central Michigan the MAC West title.
Northern Illinois dropped to 7-4 overall, 5-2 in the MAC with next Friday's game at Central Michigan remaining. Ohio improved to 8-3, 6-1 and play host to East-leading Temple on Friday.
"It was two good teams going at it," said NIU Head Coach Jerry Kill. "Our game plan was good, we just didn't execute, especially on special teams. Ten or 12 plays are the difference in the game. Ohio jumped ahead out of the gate, but I thought our team responded well. Chandler [Harnish] showed great leadership, he played a great game."
Chandler Harnish completed a season-high 24-of-35 passes for 307 yards to record the first 300-yard passing day of the season for NIU, and the first since last year's season opener versus Minnesota. Landon Cox caught a career-best 11 passes for 132 yards to post the top receiving day for Northern Illinois this season. Cox's 11 catches ties for the 10th-highest single game total in school history.
A pair of big returns by Ohio put the Huskies in an early 14-0 hole. The Bobcats' Chris Garrett returned the opening kickoff 64 yards to the NIU 35 and three plays later OU cashed in on a 27-yard completion from Theo Scott to LaVon Brazill.
When NIU's next drive stalled and the Huskies were forced to punt, Brazill brought the Mike Salerno rugby kick back 91 yards for the longest punt return in Ohio history and a 14-0 OU lead.
NIU tied the game before halftime. Harnish hit Kyle Skarb, who also enjoyed a career receiving day, on a 23-yard touchdown pass to complete a 13-play, 81-yard drive. In the second quarter, Northern Illinois tailback Chad Spann helped tie the score with a one-yard plunge.
Each team scored off the other's turnover in the third quarter. Ohio took a three-point lead on a 28-yard field goal by Matt Weller following a Harnish fumble at the NIU 38, before Spann put the Huskies ahead for the first time on his second one-yard touchdown run of the game. That score came after Tyrone Clark forced Ohio to fumble on the punt and Northern Illinois' Spencer Williamson recovered, giving NIU the ball on the Ohio 12.
Ohio responded before the end of the quarter as Brazill scored his third touchdown of the day on a nine-yard pass from Scott to put OU up 24-21. Harnish and the Huskies answered with an 11-play, 71-yard drive during which they converted on fourth and one from the NIU 38. Marcus Lewis caught a touchdown pass for the second straight game on a 26-yard beauty from Harnish for what would turn out to be the Huskies' last lead of the game, 28-24.
Scott engineered a 12-play, 58-yard drive, as OU also converted on fourth and one during the drive. Scott hit Taylor Price for the seven-yard score and Ohio led 31-28.
The Bobcat defense was up to the challenge, stopping Harnish short on fourth-and-two on their next drive to regain the ball with 3:31 left on the clock. But NIU's defense got a stop too and returned the ball to Harnish and Company. It was not meant to be for the Huskies, however, as after a short completion, Harnish was intercepted by Julian Posey, who returned the ball 41 yards for the Bobcats' final score.
NIU drove to the Ohio 11 and Mike Salerno kicked a 28-yard field goal with 41 second left, setting up a final onsides kick attempt which the Bobcats recovered to cement the win.
The Huskies outgained Ohio, 421 yards to 247 but committed two turnovers to OU's one. After converting seven of 11 third downs in the first half, Ohio held the Huskies to just two-of-seven conversions in the second half.
-- NIU -
For all the latest news on Northern Illinois sports, read "Huskie Happenings" on www.niuhuskies.com.
