KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The Huskies looked more like greyhounds as they ran through and around Western Michigan’s defense to a 28-0 lead on the way to a 34-14 win Saturday.

NIU eclipsed the 500-yard barrier for the second week in a row, picking up 432 of its total on the ground to virtually guarantee its position in the nation’s top 10 offenses.

Western Michigan coach Al Molde payed tribute to the Huskies’ offensive quickness.

“There was a big difference speed-wise and that showed on the perimeter,” he said.

Last week against Lamar the Huskies connected on their first eight passes. Only seven NIU passes were completed the entire game against the Broncos, but it did not matter as the Huskies got on the board quickly.

NIU attempted only one pass, an incomplete screen, on its opening touchdown drive. Marshall Taylor picked up 43 yards on only two carries in that drive on his way to 163 yards on 16 attempts. He had six runs of over 10 yards on the day, including a 32-yarder on the initial drive and a brilliant run of 55 yards in the third quarter.

The alternating Huskie quarterback attack continued as Pete Genatempo entered the game after Taylor threw an interception on NIU’s second possession. The senior signal-caller promptly led the Huskies to a touchdown.

But Taylor was clearly top dog of the day as he rushed for the most by a Huskie since Darryl Richardson’s 180 against Ohio in 1985, which coincidentally was the game Taylor had his previous high-rushing game of 146 yards.

“I’m going to tell you the truth,” Taylor said. “I would love to play the whole game. But Pete Genatempo’s a senior and he’s a good quarterback. The coaches decided that they wanted to alternate. What I have to do is understand my position and do the best I can when I’m in there.”

Taylor was quick to praise the big boys up front for his good fortune against the Broncos.

“I would like to give a great deal of credit to the offensive line,” Taylor said with right guard Ted Karamanos sitting beside him. “They did an excellent job in there. It takes a lot of pressure off us backs, so we just have to go in there and execute our plays.”

The other three runners in the backfield also had successful days behind—and quickly in front of—the Huskies’ experienced blockers.

Fullback Tony Davis finished with 77 yards of tough running inside to set up the outside attack where halfbacks Keith Hurley and Rodney Taylor picked up 52 and 43 yards, respectively. All three hit paydirt and back-up Mike Strasser got into the action with his first collegiate touchdown, a 4-yarder around right end. He finished with 45 yards on five carries.

But despite the near Oklahoma-type production, Marshall Taylor said improvement still must be made.

“We blew some touchdowns,” he said. “We hurt ourselves today at times. We should’ve scored some more.”

Both quarterbacks and Davis coughed up fumbles in the third quarter, the only quarter NIU was shut out.

“If we could get rid of that third quarter—we came out a little sluggish—we could play a complete game,” Rodney Taylor said.