Home Winning Streak
Since October 3, 2009, the Northern Illinois University football team has embarked on one of the most impressive streaks in program history with 28 consecutive wins at Huskie Stadium. Below is a synopsis of each of those wins and links to photo galleries, final stats, recaps and more.
Win #1: NIU 38, Western Michigan 3 (October 3, 2009)
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Behind a then career-high 132 yards and three touchdowns from running back Chad Spann, the Huskies began their current 26-game home win streak with a 38-3 victory over Western Michigan on October 3, 2009. The victory, which was NIU's first over the Broncos since 2006, was aided by four turnovers from the Huskie defense as NIU celebrated its 103rd Homecoming in style.
Win #2: NIU 27, Akron 10 (October 31, 2009)
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Trailing 10-6 entering the fourth quarter, NIU outscored Akron 21-0 in the final 15 minutes to claim a 27-10 Halloween victory over the Zips. Chad Spann rushed for 125 yards on 21 carries with two touchdowns and DeMarcus Grady added 109 rushing yards on 20 attempts for the Huskies. Tracy Wilson recorded a team-best seven tackles and also recovered a fumble as NIU claimed in second consecutive home victory.
Win #3: NIU 50, Eastern Michigan 6 (Nov. 5, 2009)
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The 2009 Huskies improved to 6-3 on the year with their third consecutive Mid-American Conference win, and third straight Huskie Stadium victory, in a 50-6 dismantling of Eastern Michigan in front of an ESPNU national television audience. Tommy Davis returned the game's opening kickoff for an 86-yard touchdown and NIU racked up 537 yards of total offense while the Huskie defense kept the Eagles out of the end zone. Chad Spann earned 175 of the Huskies' 418 rushing yards, and had touchdown runs of 65 and 79 yards. DeMarcus Grady hit Landon Cox with a pair of touchdown passes and kicker Mike Salerno made all three of his field goal attempts. NIU led 37-6 at halftime and Eastern Michigan gained just 30 net yards in the second half and never advanced past their own 38-yard line.
Win #4: NIU 26, Ball State 20 (November 12, 2009)
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Seniors, an efficient offense and the play of the Huskie defense carried the day in the fourth win of the streak as the Huskies claimed a 26-20 victory over Ball State in a Thursday night game televised by ESPNU. In their final game on Brigham Field, seniors Marcus Lewis and Preston Williams each grabbed their first career touchdown passes and NIU quarterbacks DeMarcus Grady and Chandler Harnish combined to complete a school-record (for percentage) 13-of-14 passes for 91 yards in the game. The Huskie defense got a safety in the first quarter and held Ball State without a touchdown for 52:38. Harnish, who sat out the previous three games with an injury, returned to complete all nine of his pass attempts in the second half as he took over with NIU leading 16-13 at halftime. The Cardinals scored with 5:27 to play but NIU got a fourth-down stop and ran out the clock to secure its seventh win of 2009, and claim the Bronze Stalk Trophy for the first time.
Win #5: NIU 23, North Dakota 17 (September 11, 2010)
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Chandler Harnish and Chad Spann combined 318 rushing yards (7.6 ypc) and two touchdowns in the Huskies home opener of 2010 versus the University of North Dakota to extend the streak to five games. Spann, who would go on to win the Vern Smith Leadership Award presented to the MAC's top-player, scored on the very first play of the game as he rushed 79 yards down the Huskie sideline to put the Huskies on top. He would finish with 140 yards on the evening. Harnish had his first of what would become a customary performance as he combined for 324 yard and two touchdowns, including the game-winner on a 40-yard scamper in the first drive of the fourth quarter. After a North Dakota field goal with 2:47 left on the clock to put UND within six points, North Dakota attempted the late comeback as they took over in with less than a minute left. UND quarterback Jake Landry threw a hail mary pass with time expiring but Tommy Davis preserved the NIU victory as he intercepted the pass at the six yard line to end the contest.
Win #6: NIU 31, Temple 17 (October 9, 2010)
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Willie Clark led all receivers in the only home game of the MAC series versus Temple, making five grabs for 62 yards as NIU defeated the Owls, 31-17. The two teams entered halftime tied at 17, thanks in part to Landon Cox 10-yard touchdown reception from Chandler Harnish with 30 seconds remaining in the first half. The Huskies would rattle off 14 unanswered points in the second half, a four yard catch from Nathan Palmer and a six yard run from Chad Spann, to seal the victory. Defensively, the Huskies only allowed the Owls to 112 yards and seven first downs in the second half, including a fourth quarter interception by Chris Smith.
Win #7: NIU 45, Buffalo 14 (October 16, 2010)
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NIU turned a 21-14 halftime lead over Buffalo into a 45-14 Homecoming victory at Huskie Stadium as the Huskies won it's fourth straight game with a dominating second-half performance. NIU tallied 281 rushing yards on 50 carries in the game and averaged 5.6 yards a carry. Tailback Chad Spann led the way with 111 yards on 31 carries and a pair of touchdowns, while quarterback Chandler Harnish added 75 yards on 14 carries with a 12-yard touchdown run. Back-up quarterback Jordan Lynch iced the victory with a 90-yard scoring run in the last five minutes of the game. The NIU defense limited Buffalo to 130 rushing yards while UB quarterbacks completed just nine-of-26 passes for 120 yards. More than two-thirds of Buffalo's passing yards - 81 - came on a single play as Bulls' quarterback Jerry Davis hit Marcus Rivers on a long touchdown play with 31 seconds left in the first half, making the halftime score 21-14.
Win #8: NIU 33, Central Michigan 7 (October 23, 2010)
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After falling behind, 7-3, early in the second quarter, the Northern Illinois University football team rattled off 30-unanswered points to defeat Central Michigan, the then-defending MAC champions, for the first time since 2006. NIU won its fifth consecutive game, and improved to 6-2 overall, its best start since 2004. The Huskie ground game took over as Chad Spann rushed for 101 yards and three touchdowns and NIU tallied 36:04 minutes of time of possession. The defense was stout once again as it kept the opposition off the scoreboard in the second half for the third-straight game. Senior Alex Kube led the way for the Huskie defense, tallying 10 tackles and forcing a fumble, while fellow linebacker Tyrone Clark had two interceptions to go along with two tackles.
Win #9: NIU 65, Toledo 30 (November 9, 2010)
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In front of a national television audience on ESPN2, the Huskies raced out to a 28-0 halftime lead en route to a 65-30 dismantling of Toledo to seize control of the MAC West Division lead. NIU accumulated 584 yards of total offense and scored nine touchdowns against the overmatched Rocket defense, while churning out 422 rushing yards. The Huskies opened the scoring with a 14-play, 74-yard drive on their first possession, capping it with a one-yard touchdown run from Chad Spann. It was the second quarter, though, where the Huskie offense hit high gear with touchdowns from Akeem Daniels, Nathan Palmer and Chandler Harnish. Despite a safety and touchdown allowing Toledo to get back within 28-9 early in the third quarter, NIU put up 37 more points in the second half to put the Rockets away for good. Harnish led the Huskies with 162 passing yards on 11-of-16 passing, while adding 149 yards on the ground.
Win #10: NIU 49, Army 26 (September 3, 2011)
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In Dave Doeren's debut as NIU head coach, the Huskies used big plays in all three phases to coast to a 49-26 win over Army in a rainy Saturday at Huskie Stadium. Jimmie Ward helped get the scoring early by blocking a Black Knight punt that was scooped up by Courtney Stephen and returned 16 yards for a touchdown. After surrendering an Army touchdown on the ensuing possession, the NIU offense exploded with 42 unanswered points to build a 49-6 lead through three quarters. QB Chandler Harnish accounted for 195 yards and five touchdowns on 12-of-19 passing, while tacking on 80 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Jasmin Hopkins had a career day rushing with 138 yards on just 14 carries. Defensively, NIU kept Army in check by forcing three turnovers and recording eight tackles for loss.
Win #11: NIU 47, Cal Poly 30 (September 24, 2011)
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Chandler Harnish accounted for 305 total yards and three touchdowns while Jasmin Hopkins ran for a then career-high 143 yards and two scores as the Huskies defeated Cal Poly, 47-30. NIU raced out to a 27-0 lead and never looked back as the NIU offense totaled 542 yards. With his three touchdowns accounted for, Harnish moved to 67 in his career, passing George Bork (65, 1960-63) for the NIU school record. The Huskie defense was led by 11 tackles, including a sack, from Pat Schiller.
Win #12: NIU 40, Kent State 10 (October 8, 2011)
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The Huskie defense dominated Kent State as it only allowed 64 yards of total offense, one on the ground, in NIU's 40-10 win over the Golden Flashes. Defensive tackle Nabal Jefferson, known more for his run stopping capabilities, opened the scoring in the game as he intercepted his first career pass and took it back 25 yards up the Flashes sideline to give the Huskies the lead, which it never reliquinshed. Kicker Mathew Sims converted four field goals in the effort as well, including a 44-yard effort in the third quarter.
Win #13: NIU 51, Western Michigan 22 (October 15, 2011)
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NIU gained an astounding 697 yards of total offense, including 494 rushing yards, in a 51-22 homecoming victory over Western Michigan on October 15, 2011. Chandler Harnish gained 229 yards rushing and threw for 203 yards passing, marking just the 11th 200-200 yard game in NCAA FBS history. In addition, backup quarterback Jordan Lynch also ran for 113 yards, giving he and Harnish 342 combined rushing yards and - at that time - the second-most combined rushing yards between two Huskies. The Huskies trailed at the half, 15-13, before running away from the Broncos in the second half, outscoring WMU 38-7. NIU's 697 yards of offense was the second-highest total in school history, behind only an 806-yard game against Fresno State on Oct. 6, 1990.
Win #14: NIU 41, Ball State 38 (November 15, 2011)
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In one of the most thrilling games in the win streak, NIU rallied from a 17-point third quarter deficit to defeat Ball State, 41-38, on November 15, 2011. Mathew Sims connected on a 34-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining to complete the comeback victory for the Huskies. Senior quarterback Chandler Harnish had a huge game against the Cardinals, recording 519 yards of total offense with 181 yards on 28 carries and 338 yards through the air on 26-of-36 passing with a pair of touchdowns. After Ball State scored the opening seven points of the second half, the Huskies scored 27 of the final 34 points in the contest to claim the Bronze Stalk.
Win #15: NIU 18, Eastern Michigan 12 (November 25, 2011)
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On a day when the offense struggled, it was the Huskie defense that saved the day in an 18-12 MAC West-clinching win over Eastern Michigan. NIU held the Eagles to 280 yards of total offense and totaled four sacks of EMU QB Alex Gillett. After building an 18-6 lead through three quarters, the visitors staged a comeback, getting within six points and driving with under two minutes to go. Back-to-back sacks by Alan Baxter and Sean Progar, though, put EMU in a 4th-and-35 situation that ended with Sean Evans knocking a pass out of the EMU receiver's hands to clinch the win. Chandler Harnish led the way on the ground with 148 yards on 17 carries, including a 68-yarder that turned out to be the deciding points. Meanwhile, punter Ryan Neir kept the Eagles deep in their own territory despite the blustery conditions, averaging 36.0 yards per punt. In addition, he boomed a 54-yard punt that was downed at the one early in the second stanza, which resulted in a safety two plays later.
Win #16: NIU 35, UT Martin 7 (September 8, 2012)
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The Huskies earned their first win in what would become a magical 2012 season with a 35-7 victory over the UT Martin Skyhawks. The NIU offense grabbed an early 7-0 lead on Jamal Womble's two-yard dive. Jordan Lynch would pad that advantage with a 31-yard scoring strike to Martel Moore, followed by a pair of rushing touchdowns from one and 32 yards out to put the Huskies up, 28-0, after three quarters. Lynch would add the final points to NIU's win with a four-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter, finishing the day with a combined 274 yards on the ground and in the air. Meanwhile, the NIU defense held UTM in check, limiting the Skyhawks to 63 rushing yards and piling up seven tackles for loss.
Win #17: NIU 30, Kansas 23 (September 22, 2012)
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Trailing by 10 points early in the fourth quarter, NIU scored the final 17 points of the game as the Huskies knocked off Kansas, 30-23. Jordan Lynch threw for 235 yards on 23-of-35 passing with two touchdowns and ran for 134 yards on 22 carries, while Martel Moore caught five passes for 105 yards and a score. On defense, Alan Baxter and Joe Windsor harassed KU QB Dayne Crist all day with two sacks each. After the Jayhawks returned an interception for a touchdown to open the fourth quarter, Lynch hit Moore on a jump pass over the middle that resulted in a 65-yard score. On the ensuing possession, Mathew Sims hit a 44-yard field goal to tie the game at 23. After forcing another KU punt, the Huskies drove down the field, capping off the drive with a two-yard dive from Leighton Settle for the go-ahead points.
Win #18: NIU 55, Central Michigan 24 (September 29, 2012)
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NIU earned their first MAC win of the 2012 season with a 55-24 victory over Central Michigan. As a team, the Huskies churned out 622 yards of total offense, including 407 on the ground with Jordan Lynch and Leighton Settle each eclipsing the 100-yard mark. A pair of Settle rushing touchdowns and a Lynch scoring strike to Martel Moore helped NIU stake out a 24-7 lead midway through the second quarter. However, the Chippewas sandwiched a pair of touchdowns around halftime to get within three just seconds into the third quarter. That's when the NIU offense took control of the game by outscoring CMU, 31-3, from that point on. Among the highlights of the second half onslaught was a seven-yard touchdown run by kicker Mathew Sims on a fake field goal, putting NIU up 41-24 to effectively put the game on ice.
Win #19: NIU 45, Buffalo 3 (October 13, 2012)
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Despite a slow start, the NIU offense ran roughshod over Buffalo to the tune of 219 rushing yards in a 45-3 rout of the Bulls. Leading 7-3 early in the second quarter, Luke Eakes sparked the Huskie offense with a 32-yard run on a fake punt. Five plays later, Akeem Daniels scored from one yard out to open the floodgates, as NIU found the endzone on four of their next six possessions. Jordan Lynch threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, while gaining 129 yards on the ground with two scores. On defense, Marlon Moore made his debut with two interceptions and five tackles.
Win #20: NIU 63, Massachusetts 0 (November 3, 2012)
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The Huskies posted a complete effort on both sides of the ball, defeating Massachusetts, 63-0, for their first shutout in four seasons. Martel Moore opened the scoring with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Lynch, while Keith Harris, Jr., scored two first-half touchdowns to kickstart the rout. In just over a half of play, Lynch rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown and passed for 191 yards and two touchdowns. The NIU defense posted four sacks - one each from Anthony Wells, Donovan Gordon, Alan Baxter and Sean Progar - and limited the Minutemen to 267 yards of total offense.
Win #21: NIU 31, Toledo 24 (November 14, 2012)
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NIU clinched its third-straight MAC West title with a tough 31-24 win over archrival Toledo. While the offense struggled for most of the first half, the defense kept the Huskies in the game by forcing a pair of first-half turnovers to keep NIU within 14-7 at the half. That deficit quickly disappeared, though, as Martel Moore took a Jordan Lynch bubble screen and raced 73 yards for the game-tying score 18 seconds into the second half. Yet, it was the Huskie defense that ultimately turned the tide by forcing two more turnovers and a turnover on downs in NIU territory on each of Toledo's first three possessions of the second half. Lynch and the offense made the Rockets pay by scoring two more touchdowns in the third quarter, while Mathew Sims' 43-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter put the Huskies up, 31-14, to seal the win.
Win #22: NIU 43, Eastern Illinois 39 (September 21, 2013)
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The Huskies survived quite the scare from in-state rival Eastern Illinois in their 2013 home opener, but rallied to claimed a 43-39 win over the Panthers. Despite surrendering a quick 20-0 lead, NIU stormed back with 23 unanswered points to close the first half with a 23-20 lead. However, EIU battled back to forge a tie early in the fourth quarter, then took a 39-36 lead with just under 10 minutes left in the game. Yet, NIU reclaimed the lead with a four-play drive that culminated in an eight-yard run from Keith Harris, Jr. Jordan Lynch and Cameron Stingily combined for 323 rushing yards, while Lynch also added 235 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Win #23: NIU 27, Akron 20 (October 12, 2013)
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NIU earned a Homecoming win for the 15th time in 16 tries with a 27-20 win against Akron, while also breaking the MAC record for most consecutive home victories. The Huskies and Zips traded blows in the first quarter en route to a 17-14 NIU lead after the first stanza. However, a defensive battle ensued, as the two sides combined for just 16 points in the remainder of the game. Jordan Lynch passed for 220 yards and a touchdown, while also scoring a second touchdown on the ground. The story of the game for the Huskies, though, was defense. NIU forced five three-and-outs in Akron's first seven possessions, while Joe Windsor posted 1.5 sacks. Meanwhile, Jimmie Ward's early fourth quarter interception helped NIU seal the win.
Win #24: NIU 59, Eastern Michigan 20 (October 26, 2013)
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After a couple weeks of struggles, the Huskie offense found its groove again in a 59-20 win over Eastern Michigan. NIU opened the game with touchdowns on each of their first three possessions and held a comfortable 38-3 advantage. In just under three quarters, Jordan Lynch passed for 223 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 99 and a score. In addition, his 17-yard TD reception from Tommylee Lewis in the second quarter made him the second FBS player in 10 seasons with four passing, one rushing and one receiving touchdown in a game. In addition, backups QBs Matt McIntosh and Drew Hare each passed for a touchdown late in the game.
Win #25: NIU 48, Ball State 27 (November 13, 2013)
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Tied heading into the fourth quarter, the NIU Huskies scored the final 21 points of the game to defeat Ball State, 48-27, on Wednesday night at Huskie Stadium. Senior quarterback Jordan Lynch went 26-of-32 passing for 345 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 123 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns as the Huskies moved to 10-0 on the season, 6-0 in conference play. Lynch's signature play of the game came on a third and long when he flung a Ball State defender off his back and sprinted for the first down marker. Defensive end Joe Windsor put the game on ice as he intercepted Keith Wenning's pass and returned it 49 yards, just getting inside the pylon for another Huskie touchdown. The interception was the only turnover of the night for the Cardinals.
Win #26: NIU 33, Western Michigan 14 (November 26, 2013)
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NIU capped off the 2013 regular season with a perfect 12-0 record after a 33-14 triumph over Western Michigan. In the game, Jordan Lynch broke his own NCAA QB rushing record by gaining 321 yards on the ground against the Broncos. In addition, the eventual Heisman finalist scored three times with his feet, in addition to tossing a first quarter score to Juwan Brescacin. On defense, Jason Meehan and Jamaal Payton both came up with sacks, while the entire unit limited WMU to 256 yards of total offense. The game was also memorable in that it was the final home contest for beloved mascot Diesel, who roamed the sidelines one last time after nine seasons.
Win #27: NIU 55, Presbyterian 3 (August 28, 2014)
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Sophomore Joel Bouagnon scored four touchdowns as NIU opened the season with a 55-3 victory over Presbyterian College on Thursday night at Huskie Stadium. NIU racked up 635 yards of total offense, 424 coming on the ground, while limiting the Blue Hose to just 127 yards on offense. The Huskies ran a program-record 109 plays on offense, surpassing its previous-best of 102 versus Ohio on Nov. 7, 1981. Bouagnon gained 97 yards on 16 carries while senior Akeem Daniels rushed for a game-high 118 yards on 15 carries. Eleven different players carried the football for the Huskies.
Win #28: NIU 17, Kent State 14 (October 4, 2014)
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On its final possession of the contest, a 56-yard field goal came up short for Kent State as NIU claimed a 17-14 victory over the Golden Flashes in the Mid-American Conference opener. With the Huskie offense unable to find a consistent rhythm during the game, the NIU defense stepped up. Kent State managed just a pair of field goals through the first 53 minutes of the game before scoring its lone touchdown of the game with 7:15 to play. The two-point conversion pulled the Golden Flashes within three of NIU, 17-14. After sophomore quarterback Anthony Maddie was intercepted, giving Kent State the ball back at its own 39 with 6:01 to play, the Golden Flashes moved to the NIU 34 as Colin Reardon picked up a key first down with an 8-yard carry on a fourth-and-one. The Kent State signal caller was injured on the play, however, and the NIU defense was able to take advantage with a sack and two incompletions.
