NIU's Harnish grabs MAC honor

Northern Illinois University quarterback Chandler Harnish earned his third Mid-American Conference West Division Offensive Player of the Week honor Monday after leading the Huskies to a 65-30 win over Toledo.

The first NIU quarterback to earn the MAC player of the week award three times in a single season, Harnish was also named offensive player of the week for his performances against Temple and Akron earlier this year.

Harnish accounted for 311 yards of total offense in the victory over the Rockets. He completed 11-of-16 passes for 162 yards and 1 touchdown, while rushing for 149 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown. He hit Nathan Palmer with a 33-yard strike in the first quarter for one touchdown and scampered 28 yards for his fifth rushing score of the season.

On the season, Harnish has accounted for 18 touchdowns (5 rushing, 13 passing) and 2,309 yards of total offense (1,601 passing, 708 rushing).

Harnish's selection marks the eighth-straight week a Huskie has been named MAC West POTW dating back to the Illinois game. Defenders Jake Coffman and Tyrone Clark, specialists Jimmie Ward and Josh Wilber and tailback Chad Spann are the other Huskies to earn weekly honors this year.

Northern Illinois returns to the field Saturday when the Huskies travel to Muncie, Ind. to face Ball State. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. and the game can be heard on the Huskies' flagship station, 1360 AM WLBK and in Chicago on The Score 670 AM.