A loss … but also a big gain?
DEKALB -- Saturday started with a buzz in DeKalb about Demetrius Jones' possible transfer to Northern Illinois.
A day later, that buzz has become a nasty hangover following a second straight second-half collapse that leaves the Huskies 0-3 for the first time since 1999.
Eastern Michigan beat NIU for the first time in seven tries, overcoming a 13-0 deficit to win 21-19 before 20,012 at Huskie Stadium, a week after Southern Illinois stunned Northern with a 17-point fourth quarter comeback.
The Eagles blocked Chris Nendick's 50-yard field goal attempt on the last play of the game. The kick would have been a lot easier if not for 2 straight holding penalties on NIU.
As for Jones, will the five-star recruit who started Notre Dame's first game against Georgia Tech, be under center in the future? It has been widely reported he has enrolled at NIU.
"I have heard a lot of rumors, a lot of stuff," said Huskies coach Joe Novak said. "All I can tell you is I have had absolutely no contact with he, his family or any representatives. Nor have our coaches. I listen to the same rumors everybody else is."
As exciting as the prospect of getting a transfer of Jones' caliber, it was just as disappointing to lose to an Eastern Michigan team coming off a 1-11 season.
"Another tough one," Novak said. "There's such a fine line between winning and losing, and right now we're just not over the hump."
The Huskies (0-3, 0-1 MAC) nearly took a page out of Southern Illinois' comeback playbook. Trailing 21-13 with 5:29 left, quarterback Dan Nicholson threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Davis.
Nicholson had a chance to tie the game, but he overthrew Greg Turner on the 2-point conversion.
The Huskies got the ball back at their 39-yard line with 1:54 left. It turned into a penalty-filled drive toward field-goal range, with two calls reviewed that both went NIU's way.
The next two calls didn't, and they proved costly. Both times sophomore tailback Justin Anderson moved the Huskies into position for an easier kick -- including a screen pass to the 5-yard line -- but both times the play was called back for holding.
"Much different kick from a trajectory perspective," Eastern Michigan coach Jeff Genyk said. "I think he tried to hit more of a 5-iron than a 7-iron. Those calls were critical. We'd been talking to the officials on our sideline on that screen play. We felt there was holding all game."
The Huskies scored on their first three possessions, then went quiet.
"At times we have a chance to make plays and we don't quite get them done," Novak said. "I don't have a good answer. I wish I did."
Like the rest of the team, Nicholson started strong. He finished 20 of 28 for 160 yards and was hurt when Britt Davis dropped a long pass in the third quarter.