YPSILANTI, Mich.—After NIU’s 32-31 loss to Eastern Michigan, the Huskies are 1-2-1 although they are a mere eight points away from having a perfect record.

NIU’s non-wins include a 39-35 loss to Lamar in the opener, a 16-16 tie to Northwestern a week ago and Saturday’s one-point setback.

* FEMU halfback Gary Patton said there was a definite difference between preparing for NIU and a conference opponent.

“To be honest, we were kind of like lackadaisical. I can tell when we play a conference game or a non-conference game by the way we practice. For a league game, everyone’s more into practice and learning things. I don’t think we were as prepared as we could’ve been.”

NIU is now 3-5 the last two years against its former Mid-American Conference foes. The Huskies host MAC member Toledo Saturday for Homecoming.

* FAs was the case two weeks ago in the Huskies 34-14 win at Western Michigan, a baseball score prompted the loudest fan reaction.

Many Huron fans sat in the stands with portable radios and/or headsets to listen to the Detroit Tigers-Toronto Blue Jays battle for the American League East title. Detroit grabbed a one-game lead in the race Saturday by scoring the winning run in the 12th inning on an error. The wired fans let out a Tiger-like roar as they heard the game-winner. A minute later the public address announcer relayed the news for everyone else to hear and cheer.

NIU quarterback Marshall Taylor, a Detroit native was without hesitation when asked if the Tigers would hold onto their lead.

“Detroit’s going to take it all,” he said.

* FBeing from the area, Taylor had 25 relatives and friends at the game to see him perform. Getting an interview from the junior signal-caller was difficult as he received kisses and hugs from sisters and cousins.

“It makes me feel much better to hear them cheer for me,” Taylor said. “It picks me up.”

* FSophomore linebacker Matt Kentner found a way to get himself on the offensive statistics.

A blocker on the kickoff return team, Kentner caught two wind-shortened kickoffs and fielded a squib kick to give him three returns for 31 yards. His longest was 12 yards.