Aug. 28, 2014

Recap |  Final Stats |  Quotes

NIU FOOTBALL 2014
Presbyterian at NIU - August 28, 2014
DeKalb, Illinois - Huskie Stadium
NIU Postgame Notes

-- NIU extended its Huskie Stadium winning streak to 27 games with tonight's win. The streak is the longest by an FBS team in its home stadium and dates back to Sept. 26, 2009.

-- The Huskies' offense broke its all-time record for plays in a game with 109 against the Blue Hose. NIU broke its previous record of 102, set 11-7-81 versus Ohio. The Huskies defeated the Bobcats, 38-14.

-- NIU's defense held Presbyterian to 127 yards of total offense, the fewest yards allowed by the Huskies defense since 10-8-11 versus Kent State. NIU only allowed 64-yards to the Golden Flashes that afternoon at Huskie Stadium.

-- The Huskie did not commit a turnover in the game and last accomplished the feat 11-26-13 versus Western Michigan (W, 33-14).

-- Junior Matt McIntosh made his first career start at quarterback for the Huskies. McIntosh finished the game 10-of-14 passing (.714) with 87 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown to Daron Brown to open the scoring. He also rushed four times for 27 yards.

-- McIntosh's 39-yard touchdown completion to Da'Ron Brown for the Huskies' first score was the longest pass completion of his career.

-- The Huskies defense only allowed three points to the Blue Hose, the fewest points allowed since 11-3-12 versus UMass (63-0).

-- Tonight's 55-3 victory was the largest season-opening win since 9-14-63 versus UW-Whitewater (55-7).

-- True freshman Albert Smalls started at cornerback for NIU, recording two tackles, one for loss and an interception inside the red zone that led to a Huskie touchdown.

-- Ten true freshmen or junior college transfers and 13 redshirt freshmen saw action in the game, including nine on offense and 14 on defense.

QB Breakdown

McIntosh - first quarter

Hare - second quarter, first drive of third quarter

Maddie - remainder of the game

-- Sophomore tailback Joel Bouagnon scored his first career rushing touchdown on a one-yard rush late in the first quarter. Bouagnon's second rushing score was good for 23 yards to mark his career long run. Bouagnon scored three rushing TDs in the first half and finished with four. The last Huskie to score four rushing TDs in a game was Jordan Lynch at UMass 11-2-13. Bouagnon finished with 97 yards on 16 carries.

-- Akeem Daniels finished the game with 118 yards on 15 carries to record his third career 100-yard rushing game. All of Daniels' yards came in the first half as he did not play after halftime.

-- Also in the first half, both Drew Hare and Matt McIntosh surpassed their career single game highs for completions and attempts as McIntosh completed 10-of-14 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown while playing the first quarter and Hare completed 7-of-12 throws for 51 yards in the second quarter.

-- NIU recorded its first shutout half since 2012 by blanking the Blue Hose at halftime. The Huskies last shutout half came in the second half at Eastern Michigan on 11-23-12.

-- True freshmen/first-year players who played for NIU: CB Albert Smalls (started), WR Ezra Saffold, WR Christian Blake, CB Tifonte Hunt, DT Rajshawn Mosley, CB Shawun Lurry, CB Mayomi Olootu, DT Ben Compton (JC transfer), DT Ruben Dunbar, DT Siosifa Malolo (JC transfer).

-- Redshirt freshmen who made their NIU debuts: DT William Lee (started), S Brandon Mayes, TE/FB Shane Wimann, OG Scott Taylor, LB Bobby Jones IV, OG Ron Brown, LB Cody Sullivan. S Jackson Abresch, DT Cal Breedlove, OT Lincoln Howard, WR Malik Mitchell, RB Jordan Huff, TE Ryan Stendler.

"Firsts"

QB Anthony Maddie - first completion

WR Ezra Saffold - first reception

WR Draco Smith - first career rushing touchdown

RB Joel Bouagnon - first career rushing touchdown

-- NIU's 36 first downs was the most since converting 36 at Kent State on 10-5-13.

-- Senior linebacker Michael Santacaterina led all Huskie defenders with seven tackles, four of which came on NIU's kickoff team.

-- The Huskies 635 total yards on offense was the most since 11-2-13 when the NIU accumulated 612-yards at UMass.

-- Eleven players rushed the ball for NIU and eight caught passes.