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No. 24 NIU beats EMU, heads to MAC title game

Nov 23, 2012 - 10:38 PM Ypsilanti, MI (Sports Network) - Black Friday became white Friday in Ypsilanti.

Akeem Daniels ran for four touchdowns on a cold, snowy day in No. 24 Northern Illinois' 49-7 thumping of Eastern Michigan.

Daniels carried the ball 12 times and finished with 112 yards for the Huskies (11-1, 8-0 MAC), who will play Kent State in the conference title game next Friday at Ford Field in Detroit.

Jordan Lynch was 16-of-25 for 168 yards and a score and added 107 yards on the ground in the victory.

Northern Illinois outgained the Eagles, 415-227, with 242 of them coming on the ground.

"We were great at tailback and didn't allow any sacks today," Northern Illinois head coach Dave Doeren said.

Tyler Benz completed just 10-of-22 passes for 96 yards with a touchdown and interception for Eastern Michigan (2-10, 1-7), which dropped four of its last five contests to close the year.

"We couldn't stop them on third or fourth down throughout to stay in the game," Eagles head coach Ron English said.

Benz's 20-yard TD pass to Matt Boyd tied the game at 7-7 late in the opening frame, but the Huskies registered the final 42 points of the contest.

Tommylee Lewis returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for the score.

Daniels scampered in from 20 yards out and Lynch hooked up with Martel Moore for a 56-yard touchdown and a 28-7 halftime advantage.

Daniels had a 19-yard TD run in the third and added a 16-yard score midway through the fourth.

Jacob Brinlee's 11-yard TD run in the waning seconds concluded the scoring.

Daniels' 25-yard TD run opened the scoring with 5:35 left in the opening period.

Game Notes

Northern Illinois was 6-of-14 on third down and had 24 first downs ... Moore had nine receptions for 116 yards ... Bronson Hill gained 29 yards rushing on 11 carries for Eastern Michigan.