Oct 3, 2009 - 8:21 PM
0 shoutsDEKALB, Ill.(AP) -- Chad Spann rushed for three touchdowns while quarterback Chandler Harnish threw for another on Saturday as Northern Illinois opened its Mid-American Conference season with a 38-3 victory over Western Michigan.
The Huskies (3-2, 1-0) never trailed after opening the game with a 74-yard scoring drive. Harnish and wide receiver Nate Palmer combined on a 33-yard touchdown play.
Spann, who rushed for 132 yards on 22 carries, scored on runs of 1 and 20 yards in the second quarter.
On the opening play of the third quarter, strong safety Patrick George intercepted Western Michigan quarterback Tim Hiller and returned the ball 32 yards to the Bronco 12. Two plays later, Spann scored his third TD and 10th of the season on a 5-yard run.
Western Michigan (2-3, 1-1) was limited to a 40-yard John Potter field goal in the second quarter.
From the Bleachers
-
WESTERN MICHIGAN: 3
NORTHERN ILLINOIS: 38
Final
Oct 3 6:24 PM -
NCAAF
WESTRN MICHIGAN 3
NORTHN ILLINOIS 38 11:17 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Oct 3 6:04 PM -
WESTERN MICHIGAN: 3
NORTHERN ILLINOIS: 31
End of 3rd
Oct 3 6:04 PM -
NCAAF END, 3RD QTR
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
WESTRN MICHIGAN 0 3 0 3
NORTHN ILLINOIS 7 14 10 31 END, 3RD QTR
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: NORTHN ILLINOIS - TD, NATHAN PALMER 33 YD
PASS FROM CHANDLER HARNISH
(MIKE SALERNO KICK), 4
Oct 3 6:04 PM -
NCAAF
TD NORTHN ILLINOIS
JAKE COFFMAN 79 YD INTERCEPTION RETURN
(MIKE SALERNO KICK)
WESTRN MICHIGAN 3
NORTHN ILLINOIS 38 14:47 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Oct 3 6:04 PM -
NCAAF
FG NORTHN ILLINOIS
MIKE SALERNO 22 YD
WESTRN MICHIGAN 3
NORTHN ILLINOIS 31 3:59 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Oct 3 5:44 PM -
NCAAF
TD NORTHN ILLINOIS
CHAD SPANN 5 YD RUN
(MIKE SALERNO KICK)
WESTRN MICHIGAN 3
NORTHN ILLINOIS 28 13:28 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Oct 3 5:19 PM -
WESTERN MICHIGAN: 3
NORTHERN ILLINOIS: 21
Halftime
Oct 3 5:09 PM -
NCAAF
TD NORTHN ILLINOIS
CHAD SPANN 20 YD RUN
(MIKE SALERNO KICK)
WESTRN MICHIGAN 3
NORTHN ILLINOIS 21 1:17 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Oct 3 4:49 PM -
NCAAF
WESTRN MICHIGAN 3
NORTHN ILLINOIS 7 14:13 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Oct 3 4:28 PM -
WESTERN MICHIGAN: 0
NORTHERN ILLINOIS: 7
End of 1st
Oct 3 4:28 PM -
NCAAF END, 1ST QTR
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
WESTRN MICHIGAN 0 0
NORTHN ILLINOIS 7 7 END, 1ST QTR
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: NORTHN ILLINOIS - TD, NATHAN PALMER 33 YD
PASS FROM CHANDLER HARNISH
(MIKE SALERNO KICK), 4
Oct 3 4:28 PM -
NCAAF
TD NORTHN ILLINOIS
CHAD SPANN 1 YD RUN
(MIKE SALERNO KICK)
WESTRN MICHIGAN 3
NORTHN ILLINOIS 14 7:53 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Oct 3 4:28 PM -
NCAAF
FG WESTRN MICHIGAN
JOHN POTTER 40 YD
WESTRN MICHIGAN 3
NORTHN ILLINOIS 7 14:13 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Oct 3 4:28 PM -
NCAAF
TD NORTHN ILLINOIS
NATHAN PALMER 33 YD PASS FROM CHANDLER HARNISH
(MIKE SALERNO KICK)
WESTRN MICHIGAN 0
NORTHN ILLINOIS 7 10:31 LEFT, 1ST QTR
Oct 3 3:53 PM
