HUSKIE BITES

• After defeating three straight MAC East opponents to open league play, NIU closes out 2017 with five games versus its West Division foes beginning with a Thursday night home game versus Eastern Michigan. 
• The Huskies' face a five-day turnaround between games for the first time since 2009, when NIU defeated Akron on Saturday, Oct. 31 and Eastern Michigan on Thursday, Nov. 5. Both games were played in DeKalb.
• In addition to a 4-1 record versus teams from the Big Ten, Head Coach Rod Carey has coached NIU to a 29-6 record versus MAC foes in the regular season, for an .828 winning percentage. Carey ranks 23rd all-time in league victories, ahead of Bo Schembechler (Miami) and Don Nehlen (Bowling Green), among others.  
• One of the most remarkable aspects of the Huskie's defensive performance this year has been the improvement from a year ago. NIU is holding opponents to more than 20 points and more than 200 yards BELOW their seven game averages from a year ago. (See chart p. 4)   
• Sophomore defensive end Sutton Smith continued his breakout season by scoring his first NIU touchdown with a strip, steal and fumble return score at Bowling Green, the first by a Huskie since 2008.  Smith still leads the FBS in tackles for loss (2.4/game), is third in quarterback sacks.   
• NIU forced a season high five turnovers Saturday at Bowling Green, with three interceptions to bring its season total to 13, the second-most in FBS, and recording its third defensive touchdown, the most by a Huskie team since 2001.
• For the second time, NIU had a rusher and a receiver surpass the 100-yard marks in the same game with both players achieving the standard for the first time. Senior Chad Beebe caught six passes for 124 yards, while Tommy Mister ran 17 times for 115 yards. 
• NIU has defeated Eastern Michigan nine consecutive times and owns a 31-14-2 lead in the all-time series, which dates back to 1927.  

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HUSKIE FOOTBALL FACTS
Head Coach: Rod Carey
Record at NIU/Years: 38-21/5th
Career Record/Years: 38-21/5th
Alma Mater/Year: Indiana/1993
Basic Offense/Defense: Multiple/4-3
First Year of Football: 1899
All-Time Record: 573-485-51
2016 Record/MAC Record/Finish: 5-7/5-3/3rd West
MAC Championship Appearances, Last: 7, 2015
Bowl Appearances (Major College): 11
Last Bowl Game: 2015 SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 50/31
Starters Returning: 15 (5 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialist)
Starters Lost: 12 (5 offense, 6 defense, 1 specialist)

NIU FACTS
Location: DeKalb, Illinois
Founded: 1895
Enrollment: 19,015
Affiliation: NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision
Conference: Mid-American (West Division)
Colors: Cardinal and Black
Stadium: Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium
    Surface/Capacity: FieldTurf /23,595
Acting President: Dr. Lisa Freeman
Assoc. VP/Athletic Director: Sean T. Frazier
    Alma Mater, Year: Alabama '92
Ticket Information: 815-753-PACK (7225)
 

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EAGLES FACTS
Head Coach (Alma Mater/Year): Chris Creighton (Kenyon/1991)
Record at Eastern Michigan/Years: 12-32/4th
Career Record/Years: 151-78/21st
2016 Record: 7-6
Mid-American Conference Record/Finish: 4-4/4th West 
Location: Ypsilanti, Mich.
Enrollment: 22,430
Conference: Mid-American, West Division
Colors: Green & White
Stadium:Rynearson Stadium    
    Surface/Capacity: FieldTurf /30,200
President: Dr. Kim Schatzel
Athletic Director: Scott Wetherbee
Athletics Website: EMUEagles.com
Twitter: @EMUFB 
Ticket Information: emueagles.com/tickets

EMU 2017 Schedule & Results
 

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NIU-EMU SERIES FACTS
Overall: NIU leads 31-14-2
In Ypsilanti: NIU leads 16-7-1
In DeKalb: NIU leads 15-7-1
In MAC Games: NIU leads 21-4-2
Streak: NIU, 9
Carey vs. EMU: 4-0
 

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FOLLOW THE HUSKIES

TV: NIU-EMU ON CBS SPORTS NETWORK

• The NIU-Eastern Michigan game will air on CBS Sports Network, marking the Huskies' third appearance on the network in 2017. 
• Find the CBSSN channel in your area by using the Channel Finder at CBSSportsNetwork.com.
• CBS Sports Network does not stream or offer games via mobile app. 
• The announce crew is Ben Holden (play-by-play), David Diehl (color analyst) and John Schriffen (sidelines).

RADIO: NIU SPORTS NETWORK

• The NIU Sports Network broadcast for the EMU game begins at 5:30 p.m. CT, 30 minutes prior to kickoff. 
• The game will be carried on NIU network affiliates WLBK AM 1360/FM 98.9 (DeKalb), AM 560 The Answer (Chicago) and SportsFan Radio AM 1330 (Rockford). 
• Hear the broadcast online via NIU All-Access (subscription), and on mobile devices via TuneIn. Download the app free and find the NIU Huskies channel. 
• Bill Baker is in his 38th season as the radio play-by-play "Voice of the Huskies." Color analyst Mark Lindo joins him for the 32nd season, while Andy Garcia is in his fifth season on the sidelines. 

INSIDE HUSKIE FOOTBALL RADIO SHOW

• Fans are invited to attend the one-hour show every Monday at Noon at Fatty's Pub & Grille in DeKalb (1312 W. Lincoln Hwy).
• Listen live with the TuneIn app; hear it Monday at 7 p.m. on WLBK AM 1360/FM 98.9 in DeKalb, 8 pm Mondays on 560 AM The Answer in Chicago and Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on SportsFan Radio 1330 AM in Rockford.
• Hear from host Bill Baker, NIU Head Coach Rod Carey, Huskie players and athletic department guests. 

"NIU WEEKLY" RADIO SHOW

• Airs Friday at 10 p.m. CT in Chicago on AM 560 The Answer, Saturday at 8:30 a.m. on WLBK AM 1360/FM 98.9 in DeKalb and on SportsFan Radio AM 1330 in Rockford at 6:30 a.m Saturdays.
• Also hear it on NIUTube (subscription).
• Hosts are Andy Garcia and Sean T. Frazier, NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics.
• The 30-minute show features interviews with football coach Rod Carey, other NIU head coaches and guests. 

NIUTube (Huskie All-Access)

• See weekly and post-game press conferences, video features, Huskie Olympic sports and special events.
• Hear all NIU live radio broadcasts, including football and basketball games and NIU radio shows.
• Purchase a daily, monthly or annual subsciption.
• Go to NIUHuskies.com for rates and information.

GETTING SOCIAL

• Twitter: @NIUAthletics, @NIUScores, @NIU_Football 
• Facebook: NIU Huskies, NIU Football
• Instagram: niuhuskies, niufootball
• YouTube: niuhuskiesdotcom
• See NIU Athletics' social media hub online to see all of the Huskie team and coaching staff accounts.

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NEWS & NOTES
SERIES HISTORY: NIU holds a 31-14-2 advantage in the all-time series with EMU and has won 15 of the last 16 meetings, including the last nine contests. The only Huskie loss to Eastern Michigan in the last 14 games was 2007, when EMU posted a 21-19 victory in DeKalb. Since 2006, NIU has outscored Eastern Michigan, 292-72, while the Huskie defense has pitched two shutouts (2006 and 2008). 

TAKE FIVE: NIU will have five days in between its win at Bowling Green and Thursday's contest with Eastern Michigan. It is the Huskies' first five-day turnaround since the 2009 season when NIU faced Akron on Saturday, Oct. 31 and Eastern Michigan on Thursday, Nov. 5. The Huskies defeated the Zips, 27-10, and the Eagles, 50-6, both at Huskie Stadium.

THE LAST TIME WE MET: The Huskies rallied from a 21-point first half deficit to defeat Eastern Michigan, at Rynearson Stadium on Nov. 16, 2016 in NIU's third overtime game of the season. It was the largest comeback win for the Huskies since NIU rallied from 20 points down in the 2011 MAC Championship. Jordan Huff rushed for 173 yards on 23 carries and scored three touchdowns, including NIU's final two TDs of the game. Daniel Santacaterina, who came in for Ryan Graham, who went down with an injury in the second quarter, threw for 103 yards and a touchdown on 5-of-15 passing while rushing for 91 yards on 13 carries.

AVERAGE PERFORMANCE: During its nine-game winning streak over Eastern Michigan, NIU has outgained the Eagles an average of 148.2 yards a game. The Huskies average 445.6 yards of total offense a game, including 255.7 yards a game on the ground. NIU amassed 600 yards or more of total offense in 2013 (658) and 2010 (646) versus EMU. The Huskies' 544 yards rushing in 2010 are the second-highest in school history.

TOP DOGS: Tailback Jordan Huff has rushed for 301 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries in two career games against Eastern Michigan. His 173 yards and three touchdowns in last season's meeting were career highs for Huff. Linebacker Bobby Jones IV has amassed 12 career tackles, including a half sack in two career games versus EMU. He missed last year's meeting due to injury. Cornerback Shawun Lurry played a key role in last year's victory over the Eagles making five tackles, four pass break ups, including an interception. He has seven stops in three career games against Eastern Michigan.

MIDWEEK MACTION: Since 2010, NIU has posted a 16-2 record in league games played on either Tuesday or Wednesday. Toledo and Ohio are the only two schools to defeat the Huskies during midweek MACtion. The Huskies fell to the Rockets, 31-24, last year at Guaranteed Rate Field on Nov. 9, while Ohio scored a 26-21 win over NIU on Nov. 24, 2015 at Huskie Stadium. This is the second midweek contest between the Huskies and Eagles. Toledo is NIU's most frequent opponent in MACtion games as the Huskies and Rockets have faced off seven times in primetime.

DO I KNOW YOU?: Two Huskies will look across the field at Huskie Stadium and see some familiar faces. Defensive lineman William Lee will be reunited with linebacker and fellow Arsenal Tech alumnus Jason Beck of Eastern Michigan. Chicago's St Rita will also be represented as tailback Tommy Mister will look across the line at former classmate and Eagle defensive lineman Pat O'Connor. 

HUSKIES IN THE MAC: With its 48-17 win at Bowling Green NIU improved to 144-97-2 all-time in MAC play and to 108-52 (.675) in league action since 1997, when NIU rejoined the league. Since 2010, NIU is 52-7 and has recorded three undefeated campaigns and two one-loss seasons in league play, winning six-straight division championships during that stretch. The Huskies are in their 32nd season as a member of the Mid-American Conference in 2017-18, including an initial stint in the league from 1975-85.

NIU VS. MAC EAST: NIU's 48-17 win over Bowling Green wrapped up a 3-0 record versus the MAC East this season. NIU has won 23 of its last 24 regular season games over MAC East Division opponents and 28 of 30 since the 2008 season with its win over the Falcons. NIU's last regular season loss to a MAC East foe was on Nov. 24, 2015 when the Huskies fell to Ohio, 26-21, in Huskie Stadium. 
ALL MY CHILDERS: In his second career start at quarterback for NIU, Marcus Childers threw for a career-high 239 yards and three touchdowns, which tied a career best, on 21-of-33 passing, also career bests for completions and attempts. He accounted for 312 yards of total offense as the redshirt freshman rushed for 73 yards on 19 carries. 

WHAT ARE YOU DRIVING AT?: NIU scored its fourth touchdown of the game against Bowling Green on a six-play, 95-yard scoring drive, culminating on a Marcus Childers to Chad Beebe 73-yard touchdown strike. It was the longest scoring drive of the season and the longest since the Huskies marched 96 yards for a touchdown in a 43-39 victory over Eastern Illinois on Sept. 21, 2013.  

MISTER MAKES HIS MARK: Huskie tailback Tommy Mister established career highs in three categories at Bowling Green in his first career start at NIU. Mister rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. The redshirt sophomore scored his first career touchdown on a 30-yard run on the opening drive of the game.

TE FOR THE TD:  Shane Wimann, who entered the season as the school record holder for career touchdown receptions by a tight end, added to his total with an eight-yard touchdown reception from Marcus Childers at Bowling Green. It was his 15th career catch, and fifth of the season, which leads the team. Wimann has a touchdown reception in five of the Huskies' seven games this season, including a career-long 34-yard TD at Buffalo. He did not score at Nebraska or San Diego State. The Huskie senior is the only player on the current roster to have caught a touchdown pass from each of the last five NIU starting quarterbacks.

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING: A trio of Huskies achieved career firsts at Bowling Green. Trayshon Foster made his first career interception when he picked off James Morgan in the second quarter. Redshirt freshman receiver Andrew Parchment made his first career reception on a three-yard pass from Marcus Childers in the third quarter, while receiver Jauan Wesley scored his first career touchdown on a nine-yard run in the fourth quarter.

BEEBE HITS 100: NIU wide receiver Chad Beebe tallied the first 100-yard receiving game of his career when he recorded 124 yards, including a touchdown, on six catches at Bowling Green. His previous career-high in receiving yards was 81 yards set on one play at Massachusetts on Nov. 2, 2013. Beebe is third on the team in yards receiving with 276 on 17 receptions.

DYNAMIC DUO: Wide receivers Christian Blake and Spencer Tears are separated by one catch, one touchdown and six yards receiving through seven games this season. Blake leads the team with 26 receptions for 296 yards and three touchdowns, while Tears has 25 catches for 290 yards and four TDs.

SPREADING THE WEALTH: With their performances at Bowling Green, Chad Beebe and D.J. Brown joined Christian Blake and Spencer Tears in NIU's 200-yard receiver club. Beebe's career-high 124 yards moved the Huskie senior to 276 yards on the year, a single season career-best. Brown's 23 yards on three catches pushed him to 219 yards on the year. Brown had nine catches for 91 yards a year ago, while Beebe, who missed all of last year, had 513 yards on 35 catches entering this season.

HUSKIE HARDWARE: At least one NIU player has garnered Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week honors following each of the last five games. Placekicker Christian Hagan is the latest to join the list as he was named co-MAC West Specialist of the Week following his performance at Bowling Green. Hagan hit field goals of 29 and 32 yards and was a perfect six-for-six on PATs in NIU's win over the Falcons. It is the fourth-straight year Hagan has earned MAC West Specialist of the Week honors, making him just the third Huskie ever with that distinction.

Defense: Jawuan Johnson (LB)  - Nebraska (Sept. 16)
Offense: Christian Blake (WR) - San Diego State (Sept. 30)
Specialist: Matt Ference (P)  -  San Diego State (Sept. 30)
Defense: Sutton Smith (DE) - Kent State (Oct. 7)
Defense: Bobby Jones (LB)  - Buffalo (Oct. 14)
Specialist: Christian Hagan (K)  - Bowling Green (Oct. 21)

THREE FOR THREE: Marcus Childers became the third quarterback to start a game for NIU this season when he took the first snap at Buffalo. It is the third-straight year the Huskies have started at least three different starting quarterbacks in the same season. In 2015, Drew Hare, Ryan Graham and Tommy Fiedler each started a game for the Huskies, while Hare, Graham, Anthony Maddie and Daniel Santacaterina all started at least one game for NIU in 2016. Graham (1), Santacaterina (4) and Childers (2) have the starts this year.

EYES ON ISAAC: Right tackle Isaac Hawn is the first true freshman offensive linemen to start for the Huskies since Jason Onyebuagu in 2006. Onyebuagu made five starts, four at right guard and one at center that season. Hawn has started four games at right tackle this season, splitting time with redshirt freshman Ryan Roberts.

RUSHING TO A RECORD: Tailback Jordan Huff is averaging 6.45 yards a carry for his career, rushing for 1,877 on 291 carries. He is nine carries away from qualifying for NIU's all-time list for yards per carry. Jordan Lynch is NIU's leader in career yards per carry with 6.56, while Garrett Wolfe is second with a 6.40 yard per carry average.

SUDDEN SMITH: Sutton Smith became the first Huskie since Craig Rusch to return a fumble for a touchdown when he ripped the ball out of Bowling Green running back Andrew Clair's hands and ran it 16 yards for the score. Rusch recovered a fumble and ran it back 60 yards at Kent State on Nov, 18, 2008.

SCORE ONE FOR THE DEFENSE: The Huskies rank fifth in the country in defensive scores. Sutton Smith's 16-yard fumble return for a touchdown was the third defensive score of the season for NIU. It is the most defensive touchdowns scored by a Huskie defense since 2001 when NIU returned four interceptions for touchdowns. Shawun Lurry and Jawuan Johnson each scored touchdowns on 87 and 25-yard interception returns, respectively, at Nebraska.

BALL-HAWKING HUSKIES: NIU has 13 interceptions on the season to rank second in the country and lead the MAC. The Huskie defense tallied their fourth multi-interception game of the season when they intercepted three Bowling Green passes, including Trayshon Foster's first career INT. NIU had three interceptions versus Kent State (Oct. 7) and at Nebraska (Sept. 16) and two against Eastern Illinois (Sept. 9). The Huskies had 14 interceptions all of last season and the school record for interceptions in a season is 29 set in 1951, while the modern day record is 24 set in 1987.

HUSKIE SEE HUSKIE DO: Nine different Huskie defenders have accounted for NIU's 13 interceptions this season. Linebacker Jawuan Johnson leads the way with three, while safety Mycial Allen and cornerback Shawun Lurry each have two. Linebackers Bobby Jones IV and Kyle Pugh, safeties Jackson Abresch, Mykelti Williams and Trayshon Foster and defensive end Josh Corcoran each have one.

NATIONAL LEADER: Redshirt sophomore Sutton Smith maintained his national lead in tackles for loss after recording a TFL against Bowling Green. His career-best for tackles for loss in a game is five, set in the season opener with Boston College, while he recorded a season-best three sacks against Kent State. The Huskie defensive end has 17 tackles for loss on the year, the most since 2007 when Larry English finished with 17(2.4/game). The school record for tackles for loss in a season is 20, set by Scott Kellar in 1984. 

SUTTON ON THE SACK: Sutton Smith leads the MAC and ranks third in the nation in sacks, averaging 1.21 a game. He has 8.5 sacks on the season, which is tied for 10th on NIU's all-time single-season list. The school record for sacks in a season is 12, set by Larry English (2006) and Scott Kellar (1984). 

SACK STREAK: The NIU defense extended its sack streak to 17 games when Trayshon Foster sacked Grant Loy in the third quarter of the Huskies' win at Bowling Green. The streak dates back to the Huskies' Sept. 17, 2016 contest against the Aztecs. The Huskies lead the MAC and are fifth in the country with 3.29 sacks a game.

SACK ATTACK: Safety Trayshon Foster recorded a career-high two sacks in NIU's three-sack effort against the Falcons. The Huskies tallied three sacks at Bowling Green, with Bobby Jones IV recording the other, marking the sixth multi-sack game for NIU this season. NIU has 23 sacks on the year, surpassing last year's total of 22. The Huskies' single game-high in sacks is seven, set against Kent State, which are the most recorded by a Huskie defense since Sept. 14, 2013 when NIU amassed nine at Idaho.

CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN: Christian Hagan, who has hit 69 straight point-after attempts, including six at Bowling Green, ranks eighth on NIU's all-time scoring list. The Huskie senior, who connected on field goals of 29 and 32 yards against BG, has 265 career points. He's 23 points behind Michael Turner. Hagan needs seven more PATs to move past Steve Azar for third place. He is fourth on NIU's list for most points kicking, fifth in field goal attempts (60) and sixth in field goals made (40). 

SPECIAL FORCES: NIU freshmen punter Matt Ference is averaging 41.0 yards a punt and has landed 15 punts inside the 20-yard line. Last season, NIU had only eight punts inside the 20 and Jake Ambrose averaged 38.1 yds/punt. The last Huskie punter to average more than 40 yards a punt was Tyler Wedel who posted a 41.7-yard average in 2014.

PINNING THEM DEEP: Of NIU punter Matt Ference's 15 punts that have dropped inside the 20-yard line, 10 have landed on or inside the 10-yard line. Ference and the NIU punt team placed a season-high three punts on or inside the 10-yard line at Nebraska and at San Diego State.

THE DEFENSE DOES NOT REST: NIU's defense allowed 367 yards of total offense at Bowling Green and is averaging 293.4 yards per game, which ranks 12th in the nation and leads the MAC. Last year, the Huskies finished the season ranked 98th nationally in total defense, ninth in the MAC, allowing 451.5 yards a game. NIU's defense allowed a season-low 131 yards of total offense versus Kent State (Oct. 7), the lowest total versus an FBS team since the Huskies allowed 64 versus the Golden Flashes on Oct. 8, 2011.

AT A LOSS: The Huskie defense leads the league and is second in the country in tackles for loss, averaging 8.9 TFLs per game after amassing eight at Bowling Green. NIU tallied a season-high 14 against Kent State, which ties for the third-most in an FBS game this year. NIU has 62 TFLs on the season. The Huskies recorded 44 TFLs through the first seven games last year before finishing with 73. The school record for tackles for loss in a season is 104, set in 2008.

GETTING OFF THE FIELD: The Huskie defense ranks third in the country in defensive three-and-outs after recording three against Bowling Green. NIU's season-best is eight three and outs against San Diego State and Kent State. NIU is averaging 6.29 three and outs a game. The Huskies have either forced teams to punt or forced a turnover in the first three plays of a drive in 44 of 105 drives by their opponents. The Huskies also tallied six three-and-outs versus Eastern Illinois, five at Nebraska and four in the season opener against Boston College.
5. Alabama (8)     5.88    47-98    48.0
 

Team (Games)	Avg.	3&Outs-Total Drives	Pct.
1. Michigan (7)	7.00	49-90	54.4
2. Indiana (7)	6.86	48-107	44.9
3. NIU (7)	6.29	44-105	41.9
4. Texas A&M (7)	6.00	42-98	42.9
5. Alabama (8)	5.88	47-98	48.0

TURNING OVER POINTS: After turning three turnovers of its five into 17 points at Bowling Green, the Huskies have converted 10 of the 16 turnovers forced on the season into 62 points. Last season, NIU tallied 33 points off 15 turnovers. The Huskies scored a field goal on the first turnover forced this season by NIU, a Kyle Pugh interception against Boston College. NIU has turned two fumble recoveries into a touchdown and five other interceptions into touchdowns.

MODEL OF EFFICIENCY: The NIU defense held Bowling Green to 5-of-12 on third down for a 25.9 percent conversion percentage. The Huskies lead the MAC and rank seventh in the country in third down efficiency. The Huskies held San Diego State to a season-low 1-of-14 on third down conversions, the Golden Flashes to 2-of-16 and Buffalo to 2-for-14 on third down. 

SECOND WIND: The Huskie defense has allowed fewer total yards in the second half in five of their seven games this season and fewer points in the second half in four contests. NIU has allowed just 13 second half points in its last four contests.
 

	2nd	Half	Final	Total
Opponent	Yards	Points	Yards	Points
Boston College	127	10	339	23
Eastern Illinois	129	7	187	10
Nebraska	269	17	384	17
San Diego State	104	3	263	34
Kent State	8	0	131	3
Buffalo	115	0	383	13
Bowling Green	173	10	367	17

CLOSING IN ON A RECORD: Shawun Lurry tallied his second interception of the season and 14th of his career when he picked off a Kent State pass in the second quarter. The school record for career interceptions is 16 set by Dan Meyer (1964-66), while Lurry is one away from the FBS mark of 15 by Vince Thompson (1999-2002). Lurry had three interceptions last season and a personal best nine in his All-American season of 2015.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT: Shawun Lurry added to his school record for career interception return yards when he ran back a pass 45 yards versus Kent State. He leads the nation with 132 interception return yards this season and has 435 in his NIU career to rank as the NCAA active career leader. Lurry set the NIU single season record in 2015 with 273 interception return yards.

GETTING THE POINT: The three points scored by the Golden Flashes were the fewest allowed by a Huskie defense in a MAC game since NIU shut out Massachusetts on Nov. 3, 2012, a span of 59 games. It's the fewest in a game overall since a 55-3 victory over Presbyterian on Aug. 28, 2014.

NO PASSING ZONE: Kent State's 29 yards passing are the fewest passing yards allowed by the Huskies since Sept. 26, 2015 when NIU held Boston College to 92 yards passing, and are the 13th lowest passing yardage total by an FBS team this year. The Huskies lead the league and rank eighth in the country in pass defense, allowing 156.4 yards a game.

HOLD THEM UNDER 100: NIU's defense held Buffalo to 39 yards rushing, including just one net yard in the second half. It is the first time the Huskies have held an opponent to less than 50 yards rushing since Oct. 20, 2012 when NIU held Akron to 42 yards on the ground. It's the third time this season [Eastern Illinois (60) and Nebraska (85)], the Huskies have held an opponent under 100 yards rushing. 

CONVERTING INTs INTO TDs: With his 87-yard interception return for a touchdown at Nebraska, Shawun Lurry tied the school record for career interception returns for a touchdown with two. His first came in the 2015 MAC Championship game against Bowling Green (Dec. 4) when he ran a Matt Johnson pass back 64 yards for a score.

MAKING HISTORY: The NIU defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a game for the first time in school history in its victory at Nebraska. Shawun Lurry ran the first interception of the day back 87 yards in the first quarter, while Jawuan Johnson followed suit with a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown for a 14-0 NIU lead.

WORKING ON THE LINE: The NIU defensive line has accounted for 16 of NIU's 23 sacks, 29.5 of the Huskies' 62 tackles for loss and three of NIU's 11 forced turnovers, including an interception by Josh Corcoran (DE) at Nebraska. Defensive tackles William Lee, Ben LeRoy, and Devin Webster and defensive end Drequan Brown have each recorded at least one sack. LeRoy, Sutton Smith and redshirt freshman Jack Heflin are all first-time starters. 

ADDING TO THE BONEYARD: NIU improved to 15-61-1 all-time versus teams that were in an autonomous conference (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC & Pac-12) at the time the Huskies played them with its 21-17 victory at Nebraska. Of those 15 wins, nine have come in the last 15 years, beginning with NIU's 42-41 victory over Wake Forest Aug. 29, 2002. The Huskies have played a team from one of those five conferences 34 of the last 35 years. The only year the Huskies didn't face one of those teams was 2016.

TWO FOR 100: Wide receivers Christian Blake and Spencer Tears amassed career-bests of 153 and 105 receiving yards, respectively, at San Diego State, becoming the first NIU receiving duo to tally 100 yards receiving in the same game since Nov. 3, 2015 when current NFL receivers Kenny Golladay (128) and Tommylee Lewis (125) accomplished the feat in a 32-27 win at Toledo. The pair also became the first Huskies since Golladay to tally 100 yards receiving in a game since last season's meeting with Toledo (Nov. 9).

FROSH FACES: Nine redshirt and four true freshmen have made their Huskie debuts this season. Linebackers Andrew Gregory and Corey Lersch and offensive lineman Ezekiel Gueths all saw their first action of the season at Bowling Green. They join fellow redshirt freshmen Marcus Childers (QB), Tre Harbison (TB), Jack Heflin (DT), Andrew Parchment (WR), Benn Olson (OL) and Austin Warner (OL) in seeing their first playing time this year. Freshmen Matt Ference (P), Isaac Hawn (OL), Matt Lorbeck (DE) and Weston Kramer (DT) have all seen action as well, with Hawn (OT) and Ference (P) earning starting roles.

WELCOME NEWCOMERS: NIU has also had six newcomers see their first action as Huskies in 2017. Grad transfer Jonathan Parker and transfers Drequan Brown (DE), Jalen Embry (CB), Devin Webster (DT), Jauan Wesley (WR) and Mykelti Williams (S) have all stepped in to play significant roles. Williams, who starts at one of the safety spots had a career-best 10 tackles at Nebraska and ranks fourth on the team in stops.

DEGREES IN HAND: Eight players on the NIU roster are college graduates. Six have earned their degrees from NIU, while two others came to DeKalb as graduate transfers. 
Jackson Abresch (S) - Business Administration
Ty Harmston (TE) - Biology
Jordan Huff (TB) - Studio Art-Design & Media Arts
Bobby Jones IV (LB) - Sociology
William Lee (DT) - History
Max Scharping (LT) - Kinesiology
Jaden Huff (LB) - Business Administration    St. Cloud State
Jonathan Parker (CB) - Biology     Iowa