Football | November 12
***Cornerback
Jordan Gandy pulled down the first interception of his NIU career in the second quarter. Gandy's interception was the Huskies' second in as many games. NIU intercepted just four passes a year ago.
***The Huskies were shut out in the first half versus Central Michigan, marking the first time this season NIU has been shut out in a half. NIU was shut out in a half three times last season, including in the second half of the 2019 game at CMU.
***NIU started six true freshmen on defense Wednesday with defensive tackle
James Ester and linebacker
Daveren Rayner making their first career starts, joining 2020 classmates
Jordan Hansen (S) and
Devin Lafayette (S),
Raishein Thomas (DE) and
Pierce Oppong (DE) who all made their first career starts a week ago.
***NIU's (three) sacks in the game is more than the Huskies recorded in any single game a year ago.
***Senior linebacker
Kyle Pugh finished the game with 14 tackles, the most for the sixth-year senior since the 2017 season opener (9-1-17) when he had a career high 17 stops versus Boston College (11 vs. Nebraska in 2017).
***
Andrew Haidet threw the first touchdown pass of his NIU career when the grad transfer connected with
Dennis Robinson for a 31-yard score in the fourth quarter.
***
Dennis Robinson's touchdown grab was the second of his career. His last touchdown catch came in the 2018 game versus Central Michigan (9-15) when he caught a seven-yard touchdown pass on the first reception of his NIU career.