NIU's Spann runs over Western Michigan

DEKALB - Northern Illinois' Chad Spann didn't need much room to maneuver Saturday.

The junior tailback scored 3 touchdowns as the Huskies beat Western Michigan 38-3.

"I see the goal, a little crease, and try to get through," said Spann, who has 10 touchdowns this season. "The offensive line did a great job of keeping (defenders) off me. When I see an opening, I try to get skinny and get through."

While Spann scampered for 132 yards and teammate Me'co Brown ran for another 92, Western Michigan's rushing attack was held to 73 net yards. Brandon West led the Broncos with 14 carries for 58 yards.

"When you stop the run, you can do pretty much anything you want," said NIU coach Jerry Kill, whose team improved to 3-2 and 1-0 in the Mid-American Conference. "Today we were able to stop (them) and we were able to run. That was the difference in the game."

Western Michigan quarterback Tim Hiller, among the nation's top 15 in passing yardage, was forced to carry a heavier load for the Broncos (2-3, 1-1).

"There was a lack of execution," Hiller said. "We didn't do the things we needed to do to get the job done. When you have only nine or 10 guys on the same page, it doesn't work."

The Huskies made it 7-0 after quarterback Chandler Harnish capped an opening 74-yard drive with a 33-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Nate Palmer.

Spann carried 22 times and had the first 100-plus-yard rushing day of his career. He scored on a 1-yard run early in the second quarter and added a 20-yard TD dash with 1:17 left in the half.

On the opening play of the third quarter, cornerback Patrick George intercepted Hiller and returned the ball 32 yards to the 12. Two plays later, Spann scored his third TD on a 5-yard run.

The lone score for Western Michigan came on John Potter's second-quarter field goal.

"We played about as bad as we could have played," Broncos coach Bill Cubit said. "It was an embarrassing game. They were a better football team than us mentally and physically. We weren't tough enough."

In the fourth quarter, Northern Illinois defensive Jake Coffman scored on a 79-yard interception return and later recovered a fumble.