Huskies look to stay unbeaten against Eastern Michigan

Posted October 25, 2013 12:00 am

Associated Press

Eastern Michigan (1-6, 0-3 Mid-American) at No. 23 Northern Illinois (7-0, 3-0)

Line: Northern Illinois by 31.

Series record: Northern Illinois leads 27-14-2.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

The Huskies are one of just 10 unbeaten FBS teams and rank 18th in this week's first BCS poll. Northern Illinois has won 23 straight at home dating back to Sept. 29, 2009, a school and MAC record and is coming off a 38-17 victory at Akron. Eastern Michigan has lost six straight since a 34-24 season-opening win over Howard.

KEY MATCHUP

The Eagles offensive line and RB Bronson Hill against Northern Illinois' defensive line. Eastern Michigan's line sprang Hill for a season-high 257 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown last week against Ohio. The Huskies are 46th nationally against the run (144.1 yards) and allowed a season-low 75 yards last week at Central Michigan.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Eastern Michigan: Tyler Allen landed MAC Special Teams player of the week honors after returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown against Ohio.

Northern Illinois: QB Jordan Lynch set an NCAA single game record for most rushing yards by an FBS quarterback with 316 on 32 carries last week. He added 155 more on 20-of-30 passing for 471 yards total offense. Safety Jimmie Ward and Oregon State's Steven Nelson lead the nation with five interceptions apiece.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Northern Illinois officially opens its new 80,600 square foot indoor practice facility adjacent to Huskie Stadium on Saturday. The six-story center features a 120-yard practice field. . Lynch is only the 10th FBS quarterback to rush for 3,000 yards and pass for 4,000. He's has 3,355 rushing and 4,805 passing. . The Huskies' start is the best since the 2003 team opened 7-0 on the way to a 10-2 record. . Eastern Michigan last beat Northern Illinois in DeKalb in 2007, a 21-19 decision. . Eagles players will wear a No. 2 decal on helmets in honor of junior wide receiver Demarius Reed, killed in an off-campus shooting earlier this month. Ypsilanti, Mich. police continue to investigate. The Eagles are 0-9 against ranked teams since 1992, including last year's 49-7 loss to then-No. 24 Northern Illinois.

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