By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 10:13 p.m. EST
Harnish threw incomplete down the left side line to Willie Clark with five seconds left. Then Harnish was unable to get off a pass on the last play as he was tackled from behind on a two-yard rush, while he was looking to throw the ball to the end zone one final time. Miami wins the 2010 Marathon MAC Championship, 26-21.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 10:10 p.m. EST
Three straight completions have the Huskies at the MU 32 yard line with 10 seconds left. NIU just called its final timeout.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 10:07 p.m. EST
Tommy Davis returned the kickoff for 26 yards. NIU takes over at its own 30-yard line with 26 seconds left.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 10:05 p.m. EST
A tipped ball by NIU fell into the hands of Chris Givens for a 31-yard gain on 4th & 20. Two plays later, broken coverage by NIU led to a 33-yard touchdown pass to Robinson on a slant route with 33 seconds left. Miami leads 26-21 after failing on a two-point conversion.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 10:00 p.m. EST
Jake Coffman and Devon Butler came up with a huge sack to force a 3rd & 20. The RedHawks are now faced with a 4th & 20 with 1:51 left and have called a timeout.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 9:57 p.m. EST
On 3rd-and-10 from their own 3-yard line, the Huskies went for a deep pass that was broken up by two Miami defenders. Following a fair catch on the punt, Miami takes over at its own 48 yard-line with 2:48 left in the game. NIU leads 21-20.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 9:51 p.m. EST
On 3rd-and-10 from the MU 49, Boucher's pass was broken up by first team All-MAC selection Sean Progar. Following a punt, the Huskies take over at their own 3-yard line with 3:47 left in the game.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 9:43 p.m. EST
Miami just took its second timeout with 7:15 left. The RedHawks have a 3rd-and-3 situation on its own 27 yard line, trailing 21-20 in the game.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 9:41 p.m. EST
On 3rd-and-8 Harnish and Clark connected on a long pass down the right sideline, but Clark was unable to get a foot inbounds. After a punt, Miami takes over at its own 20 yard line with 8:33 remaining.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 9:38 p.m. EST
Harnish just broke George Bork's total offense record in a single season, which was 2,945. Harnish is at 2,951 for the season.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 9:36 p.m. EST
After an intentional grounding penalty on Harnish, he responded with a 24-yard run on the next play to make a more managable third down, needing just one yard. Spann came through for two yards and the first down as the Huskies are moving the ball again. NIU has it 3rd-and-8 from the MU 44 with 8:48 left in the game. Miami just called a timeout to prepare for this third down play.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 9:28 p.m. EST
The NIU crowd is cheering really, really loud right now and it seems to have the RedHawks rattled a bit. Miami just went three-and-out with a dropped pass. NIU takes over after the punt on its own 21 yard line with 13:15 left in the game.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 9:25 p.m. EST
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Harnish aired out a post route down the middle of the field to Willie Clark for a 39-yard touchdown. Huskies lead 21-20 with 14:54 left in the game. Harnish is 11-for-20 with 238 passing yards and three touchdowns.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 9:20 p.m. EST
With the third quarter coming to a close, the NIU offense is on the move. Harnish has converted two 3rd-and-5 situations with passes as the Huskies are on the MU 39. The current drive is eight plays for 50 yards in 4:46. To the fourth quarter we go! Huskies trail 20-14.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 9:10 p.m. EST
The NIU defense came up huge on the ensuing possession, as the Huskies pushed Miami back four yards and forced a punt. Huskie offense goes to work from its own 11 yard line.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 9:06 p.m. EST
On the first play after the fumble, Miami went for it all and nearly came through. Boucher connected with Nick Harwell for a 35-yard pass to the NIU 9. The Huskie defense held tight at that point, though. After a three-and-out with goal-to-go, Miami lined up for a field goal, but ran a fake with holder Mike Scherpenberg, backup quarterback, running for a three-yard gain, coming up two yards short of the end zone.
With the turnover on downs, NIU went three-and-out on the drive. After a punt, Miami takes over on the NIU 35.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 8:59 p.m. EST
On a quick pass from Harnish to Moore for a seven-yard gain to the NIU 42, Moore was fighting for extra yards and Miami punched the ball out. The RedHawks recovered at the NIU 44. The play was reviewed but upheld. The NIU defense will be put to the test, needing a big stop.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 8:52 p.m. EST
A 25-yard pass to from Boucher to Robinson set up MU on the NIU 1-yard line. Two plays later, Merriweather broke two tackles to punch it in from one yard out. RedHawks lead 20-14 with 9:52 left in the third quarter after a 10-play, 82-yard drive that last 5:02. Let's see what the Huskie offense does to respond with their first possession of the second half.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 8:49 p.m. EST
The second half is underway and Miami is moving the ball. After scrambling for a first down, nearly getting sacked, Boucher connected on a screen pass to Tracy Woods for 33 yards and the RedHawks are on the NIU 38.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 8:39 p.m. EST
Some halftime numbers: Harnish is 5-for-11 with 150 yards and two touchdowns. Boucher is 14-for-21 for 142 yards.
Merriweather leads all rushers with 79 yards on six carries and a touchdown. Spann has 47 yards on 11 rushes. Armand Robinson leads the RedHawks with six catches for 92 yards, but Moore leads all receivers in yardage with 96 on only two catches, both were for touchdowns. The lone turnover came on a failed fourth-down conversion by the Huskies.
Team-wise, things are pretty even. Miami has a 233-205 total yardage advantage. Everything else is narrowly in Miami's favor, too: first downs (10-8), time of possession (16:29-13:31) and fourth downs (1/1 - 0/1). NIU leads in third downs (3/7 - 3/8).
The teams have made their ways out of the locker rooms and are now on the field warming up again. Second half is about two minutes away!
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 8:30 p.m. EST
The pride of the Midwest, the Northern Illinois Huskie Marching Band, just wrapped up its thrilling halftime performance.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 8:23 p.m. EST
A little controversy on 4th-and-2 from the NIU 26 yard line with under 10 second left. Miami lined up to go for it and Boucher spiked the ball for some reason. But the officials said one of the wide receivers called a timeout prior to the snap. The NIU crowd is not happy with the play.
Nonetheless, the RedHawks lined up for a 42-yard field goal attempt with four seconds left in the half and it was blocked by Jake Coffman through the middle of the line. That's two blocked kicks for the Huskies so far that could pay huge dividends in the outcome of this MAC Championship game.
NIU heads into the locker room at half with a 14-13 lead, following a scoreless second quarter by both teams.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 8:16 p.m. EST
NIU picked up a first down, but a sack forced a three-and-out on their next set of downs. After a punt, Miami takes over at their own 39-yard line with 2:03 remaining in the half. Miami has entered their two-minute offense, with a quicker rhythm to the plays.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 8:10 p.m. EST
Huskies force another punt. That's five straight possesions now in which neither team has gotten too far with the ball. NIU takes over from their own seven-yard line with 3:43 left in the half.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 8:04 p.m. EST
On 4th-and-1 from the MU 23-yard line, the Huskies went for it and Spann lost two yards on the play. With the four-and-out, the RedHawks take over at their own 34-yard line with 4:53 left in the half.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 8:01 p.m. EST
The Huskie defense seems to be settling in as Tyrone Clark ended Miami's three-play drive with a sack. Huskies take over after forcing their second straight punt at the MU 41-yard line.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 7:56 p.m. EST
NIU was unable to do anything with their possession, which was marred by a holding penalty that forced a third-and-16 play. Harnish delivered a beautiful pass down the middle of the field to Nate Palmer on a post route. The ball sailed just over two defenders and into the arms of Palmer as he neared the five-yard line, but he couldn't secure it for the easy touchdown. Hopefully the missed opportunity doesn't come back to bite the Huskies. Back-to-back punts for the teams has this game maybe slowing down a bit. Miami takes over at the five-yard line with 8:06 to go in the half.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 7:48 p.m. EST
Second team All-MAC performer Jake Coffman came through the middle of the line on a twist play from his right defensive end position to get a sack on Austin Boucher for an eight-yard loss on third down, forcing Miami to punt for the first time. Huskies take over after the punt, first-and-10 from their own 27-yard line with 11:42 to go in the half.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 7:45 p.m. EST
A sizzling first quarter just came to an end with Miami on their own 33 yard line, first-and-10 to go. At this rate, the Huskies are on pace for a 56-52 win. NIU has scored at least 50 points in each of its last three games, so the offense is on pace. However, the defense has given up just 54 points over that same three-game span, and is not on the same pace. Look for the MAC's best defense to make adjustments as the game goes on. The defense has given up just 98 points in the second half all year, which is an average of just over eight points per second half over the 12 games this season.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 7:37 p.m. EST
A Harnish 24-yard pass to Nate Palmer moved the Huskies over the 50-yard line and into RedHawk territory. Then Harnish found Moore again on a fly route on the right side of the field for a 27-yard touchdown. NIU leads 14-13 with 1:17 left in the first quarter as play capped a six-play, 70-yard drive that spanned 2:22 on the clock.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 7:31 p.m. EST
Just as the Huskies did, Miami answered right back with a six-play, 77-yard drive over 2:41 that was capped by a seven-yard TD run by Trey Payne. MU leads 13-6 with 3:46 left in the first quarter. This is shaping up to be a track meet. The Huskies have already given up three plays of more than 20 yards and have a 69-yard play of their own.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 7:25 p.m. EST
With the touchdown, Harnish surpassed the 2,000-yard mark on the season and it is the eighth time a Huskie has amassed more than 2,000 passing yards in a season.
Merriweather again found a hole on the right side for a 25-yard gain on the second play and Miami is back in the Huskie redzone.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 7:21 p.m. EST
Three plays and 73 yards later, the Huskies quickly answered with a short, 1:23, drive as first team All-MAC selection Chandler Harnish aired out a beautiful 69-yard pass. Martel Moore was running underneath it and caught it in stride, shaking off the MU defender, for a touchdown and NIU's longest passing play of the season. Huskies lead 7-6 with 6:33 remaining in the first quarter.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 7:16 p.m. EST
On fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line, Miami went for it and Merriweather leaped over the line for the game's first score. A key play happened on the extra point, though. Mike Krause blocked the kick, which could end up being a large factor in the decisions made for both sides in the rest of the game. Miami leads 6-0 with 8:02 to go in the first quarter.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 7:09 p.m. EST
After picking up a quick first down on their first possession, the Huskies were forced to punt with 12:44 to go in the first quarter. Miami's Thomas Merriweather scampered untouched through the right side for a 47-yard gain on the first play for the RedHawks, who are now in the NIU redzone.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 6:59 p.m. EST
Staying with the possible historic theme of the evening, I saw former legendary NIU head coach Joe Novak as I entered the stadium. Coach Novak was here at this same field in 2005, when NIU suffered a heart-breaking loss to Akron in the MAC Championship. Coach Novak started the turnaround of this program in the 1990s and it's only fitting that he is here to watch his successor, Coach Jerry Kill, hopefully finish what Novak started.
The National Anthem has been played by the Miami (Ohio) marching band and both teams have taken the field. The Huskie faithful definitely seems louder and more pumped up rigth now. They are chanting N-I-U very loudly. This game is about to kickoff!!! Miami won the toss and deferred. NIU will receive. Go Huskies!
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 6:40 p.m. EST
I just arrived at the Press Box here at Ford Field and both teams are currently going through warm-ups, as you can see in the photos below. The players look a little small from the seventh floor of the stadium.
By Zach Peters | December 3, 2010 | 6:32 p.m. EST
I want to take a moment to say hi to all the readers that are following along on what could be a historic day for Northern Illinois University. My name is Zach Peters and I will be manning the blog for the rest of the night. Here's a photo from the outside of Ford Field as I was walking into the home of the Detroit Lions. This place is pretty darn nice, and just a little bigger than Huskie Stadium.
By Joe Summins | December 3, 2010 | 5:16 p.m. EST
We are at Ford Field! The team departed the hotel around 4:17 p.m. local time and arrived shortly after 4:30 p.m. The team is out on the field getting loose, and a contingent Huskie fans have found their way into the stadium. You can really sense that the intensity if starting to pick up with the players. Be sure to have your computer up and running during the game and checking the blog periodically. Assistant director of media relations Zach Peters will be taking you the rest of the way with updates during the game capturing the atmosphere here at the MAC championship game.
By Joe Summins | December 3, 2010 | 12:49 p.m. EST
The day is finally here-Game Day! In just over six hours, the Huskies will take the field against Miami (OH) looking to capture their first MAC championship since 1983. I've spent the morning walking around the hotel and you can really feel the excitement. I stopped by the team dining room where the Huskies were having breakfast before making my way out and about. There were plenty of Huskie fans walking around the hotel and checking out the GM showroom in the basement.
That's right, I said GM showroom. The team hotel is located at the General Motors headquarters making it for a unique hotel experience. I spent some of the morning car shopping with my boss, where we ran into coach Kill's mother, his wife and daughter. My favorite part of the place is a monster window at one end of the property that has a stunning view of Windsor, Canada.
By Joe Summins | December 2, 2010 | 11:35 p.m. EST
If you hadn't had a chance to check it out yet, head to Huskie Happenings on NIUHuskies.com and check out all the coverage of the 2010 MAC Championship and NIU football team from allvarious media outlets throughout the Chicagoland area. There's a pair of great feature stories on former NIU head coach Joe Novak and his successor Jerry Kill as well as Chandler Harnish and various previews breaking down the big game.
By Joe Summins | December 2, 2010 | 11:10 p.m. EST
I talked about it in my last post, but hopefully the photo above gives you all a little feel of what Ford Field looks like decked out in MAC Championship branding. Special thanks to Scott Walstrom of NIU Media Services for taking a few snapshots during the walk-thru.
By Joe Summins | December 2, 2010 | 5:30 p.m. EST
The Huskies are in Detroit! The buses rolled in around 4:45 EST and the team hit Ford Field at 5 p.m. for its walk through. Once you walk in, you feel like you're at the MAC Championship and not Ford Field. The MAC did a great job decorating the field, and surroundings to make it neutral field.
The team is slated for a brief workout before heading back to the hotel for dinner and final meetings in preparation for tomorrow's game.
By Joe Summins | December 2, 2010 | 10:02 a.m. CST
The buses are loaded, wheels are rolling and the Northern Illinois University football team is on its way to Detroit for the 2010 MAC Championship. So far it's been a pretty routine trip. The team boarded the buses just outside the West Stands of Huskie Stadium. Only this time, they were given a warm send off by coaches and staff members of the NIU Athletics department. It's a nice tradition that was started last year. Every Huskie team heading off to a MAC championship receives a big boost of moral support from the department.
Not to alarm anyone, but there are four key members of the team that are not on the buses with the rest of the Huskies; NIU head coach Jerry Kill, defensive end Jake Coffman, quarterback Chandler Harnish, and Vern Smith Leadership Award winner Chad Spann. No, they weren't left behind. They took off about a half an hour ahead of the team for a press conference at Ford Field. The team will be joining the quartet around 5 p.m. EST for a walk-thru before checking into the hotel.
Be sure to check NIUHuskies.com for updates today, tomorrow and during the game as the Huskies chase their first MAC title since 1983.
