DeKALB – Junior running back Antario Brown’s overpowering ground attack Tuesday against Western Michigan University netted him his second Huskie of the Week honor of the 2023 season.

Brown recorded 159 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 21 attempts in the MACtion matchup. With 7:13 left in the second quarter, Brown broke off a 66-yard touchdown run that helped put the Huskies up 14-0.

The Savannah, Georgia, native now has 1,075 rushing yards, good for 18th-most in the country and second in the MAC. 

Brown was responsible for 2 of the 3 touchdowns scored for NIU. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Dane Pardridge returned a punt 55 yards for the third Huskie touchdown.

Brown’s first Huskie of the Week honor was awarded on Oct. 9.

NIU shut out Western Michigan 24-0 on Tuesday for its fifth win of the season. The Huskies will be eligible to play in a bowl game if they win Saturday over Kent State University.

NIU will travel to Kent, Ohio, to face the Golden Flashes at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and will be radio broadcasted via The Varsity Network.

Next week’s Huskie of the Week will be announced on Nov. 27.

The Northern Star sports section’s Huskie of the Week award is voted for on a weekly basis. Student-athletes considered for this week’s edition were chosen based on their weekly performance in competitions taking place from Nov. 13 to Nov. 19.