NIU’s rushing offense proved stronger than Nevada-Las Vegas’ defense Saturday as the Huskies won 42-24 in front of a Parent’s Day crowd of 16,352.

UNLV (3-3) came into the game with the number seven rushing defense in the nation, allowing an average of 82.8 yards per game. The Huskie rushing offense was ranked number seven in the nation, gaining 311 yards per game. The offense prevailed.

NIU (5-2) ran for 389 yards without a 100-yard effort from any of its rushers. Quarterback Stacey Robinson led the way with 96 yards, Adam Dach bullied his way for 82 and freshman Raymond Patterson gained 77.

The Rebels suffered a big blow early in the week when their leading rusher, Darin Brightmon, tore ligaments in his knee and went out for the season.

“We knew, and liked, the fact that they were going to run the ball,” Huskie head coach Jerry Pettibone said. “It hurt them a lot to lose Darin Brightmon. He was one of the best runners we had seen on film all year.”

Patterson, making his first college start, scored from seven yards out to put the Huskies up 7-0 with 9:24 left in the first quarter. Vince McGowens took the following kickoff on his ten-yard line, found a hole and broke loose for a 90-yard touchdown return to tie the score at 7-7.

On the next Huskie possession, Robinson and halfback Tyrone Isaac had a mix-up on a pitch that resulted in a fumble recovered by David Clarke for the Rebels. Two plays later, Marvin Eastman ran 32 yards for the touchdown and the go ahead score.

The Huskies wasted no time tying the score. Robinson rolled right and used a little fancy footwork to score from 16 yards out. The first quarter ended in a 14-14 tie after 53 minutes had elapsed.

Kevin Cassidy partially blocked a 40-yard field goal attempt by UNLV’s Todd Amrein with 5:50 remaining in the first half. Robinson then marched the Huskies 77 yards and found Patterson on a 14-yard pass pattern to put the Huskies up 21-14.

Amrein hammered a 48-yard field goal to close the gap to 21-17 at halftime.

Five minutes into the third quarter, UNLV’s Rickie Wills called for a fair catch off a Dave Jensen punt on his own 27. Wills fumbled the ball and Patrick Bryant recovered on the 19 for the Huskies.

Rebel coach Wayne Nunnely saw that as the turning point in the game.

“I think that was the difference in the ball game,” Nunnely said. “That gave them momentum, and gave them an easy score down in our territory.”

NIU covered the 19 yards in four plays, culminating with a two-yard Robinson score.

Again the Huskies struck quick when Robinson hit Kurt Cassidy for a 35-yard touchdown toss. NIU went up 36-17 after a successful two-point conversion and never looked back.

The Huskies finished their scoring when Isaac, who was wearing teammate Brett Schroeder’s jersey, scored from one yard out to make the score 42-17. UNLV’s Tommy Jackson scored from one yard and the game ended 42-24.