MANHATTAN, Kan._ Corey Ray and James Matlock—some NIU football fans may not know these names, but the Kansas State Wildcats and their fans do.

Ray and Matlock helped extend the nation’s longest non-winning streak to 31 games as they led the Huskies to a 37-20 win over KSU in front of 20,256 fans.

“This was his (Ray) first opportunity to get in the game and exhibit the type of skills he has,” NIU coach Jerry Pettibone said. “He came in and made big plays when the heat was on.”

Ray carried the ball five times for 55 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 66 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown strike from Robinson.

On the Huskies’ third possession of the first quarter, Robinson took a second down-and-eight keeper 29 yards for the first score of the game. John Ivanic’s extra point gave the Huskies a 7-0 lead.

After a 52-yard punt by Dave Jensen, KSU took over on its own five-yard line. On first down, NIU’s Scott Van Bellinger tackled Richard Boyd for a three-yard loss, putting the ‘Cats on their own two, setting the stage for Matlock.

Wildcat quarterback Chris Cobb dropped back into his own end zone and was taken down for a safety by Matlock, putting NIU up 9-0.

Robinson took over after KSU’s free kick and threw a third-down-and-six bomb to Ray for a 53-yard touchdown and a 16-0 Huskie lead with 16 seconds left in the first quarter.

Ivanic missed a 42-yard field goal attempt with four seconds left in the second quarter and NIU went into the locker room with a 16-0 halftime lead.

KSU came out and on their first drive of the second half and marched 73 yards in 17 plays for its first points of the game. The two-point conversion attempt failed and NIU led 16-6.

Brett Schroeder took the kickoff on his own four and marched out to the 20 where Robinson and crew took over. On the tenth play of the drive, Adam Dach gained four yards on a fourth-and-one play to keep the drive going. Robinson kept the ball on the next play, a first-and-ten from the 30, for a 16-yard gain. A KSU facemask penalty combined with a personal foul put the ball on the four-yard line. Tyrone Isaac ran the next snap in to give the Huskies a 23-6 lead.

“They (KSU) played a lot tougher than they looked in the films,” defensive end Cary Caliendo said. “They’re a tough offense and they gave us a good fight.”

Patrick Jackson carried the ball three consecutive times on the next ‘Cat drive for gains of 20, 9 and 3 yards, the last one a touchdown, to pull within 23-14 of NIU after a successful two-point conversion.

Ray scored on a five-yard option toss early in the fourth quarter to put the Huskies up 30-14.

The Wildcats’ final score came on a 15-yard halfback pass from Jackson to Michael Smith. Once again, the two-point conversion failed and KSU trailed 30-20.

Robinson ran the ball four yards for a touchdown as the game clock expired and Ivanic’s extra point completed the scoring at 37-20.

“We had too many mistakes made today,” KSU coach Bill Snyder said. “The kids did play well for the most part and they realize that we can improve. This team needs to be a two-half football team.”

Robinson led all Huskie rushers with 168 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries while completing five-of-nine passing for 91 yards and one touchdown. Dach gained 63 yards on 16 carries.

Caliendo, Matlock and Paul Rogan each recorded one sack and Matlock and Earl Upton each pulled down an interception for the Huskies.

“This was my first college start and I felt good,” Matlock said. “The guys up front—(Phil) Bucaro, Caliendo and Scotty (Van Bellinger)—made some good plays and pressured the quarterback, which helped me out.”

Matlock also led the Huskies with 13 tackles. Ron Delisi’s 11 tackles give him 333 for his career and moved him ahead of former Huskie Pat McAvoy into the fifth spot on the NIU all-time list.

Junior Huskie linebacker Steve Henriksen will have arthroscopic surgery done this Wednesday and will be receive a medical redshirt.