Huskies tie it late in the fourth, but Harnish throws an interception on first OT series

It was almost one tremendous comeback for the Huskies.

Unfortunately for Jerry Kill’s team, the comeback fell just short on a foggy Wednesday night at Huskie Stadium.

NIU (5-5, 4-3 MAC) used two onside kicks and a fake punt to fight back from a 23-3 halftime deficit against Central Michigan. Down 30-27, Quarterback Chandler Harnish and the Huskies faced a fourth-and-18 with 48 seconds left in the game. Following a 38-yard completion to Matt Simon, NIU would eventually reach the Central Michigan 7-yard line.

After two incomplete passes, Mike Salerno’s field goal sent the game into overtime.

NIU had all the momentum, scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half. But just like that, it was lost.

NIU took the ball first in overtime. After an incomplete pass on first down, Chandler Harnish thought he saw an open Britt Davis inside the 5-yard line, but his pass was intercepted by Chippewa cornerback Josh Gordy. All Central Michigan needed to do was set up a field goal.

After three runs by quarterback Dan LeFevour, Chippewa placekicker Andrew Aguila’s field goal sailed through the uprights and CMU (8-2, 6-0 MAC) avoided disaster.

“We did everything we could to get back in the game,” Kill said. “I’m very proud of our young people for hanging in there.”

Even though the Huskies weren’t able to win, Harnish said the comeback wasn’t a lost effort.

“Even though we lost, that was probably one of the most fun games I’ve ever been a part of,” Harnish said. “Just to see how the momentum changed from the first half to the second half. It’s really kind of a surreal experience. I couldn’t be more proud of the guys.”

Central Michigan dominated both sides of the ball in the first half. LeFevour had more rushing yards (103) than the Huskies had total yards (81).

But things changed in the second half. Harnish completed 14-of-26 passes after halftime, and the two onside kicks kept the Central Michigan offense off the field.

Playing with an injured foot, Matt Simon caught six passes for 131 yards on the day, including the big 38-yarder late in the game, for his first 100-yard receiving day of the year.

“He’s fighting his guts out right now,” Kill said. “I think it was a gutty performance by him tonight.”

With the win, Central Michigan remains unbeaten in MAC play heading into its showdown with unbeaten No. 14 Ball State next week. The win also gave the Chippewas their first win in DeKalb since 1977.

“Great, great win,” said Central Michigan head coach Butch Jones. “I think anytime you go on the road and win, it’s a great win.”

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