DeKALB — The Huskie’s first encounter with a PAC-12 opponent did not go according to plan as NIU came out on the losing end of Saturday’s 17-6 game against the University of Utah, bringing their record to 0-2 on the season. Head Coach Rod Carey said he was frustrated his team couldn’t come out on top.

“[It was our] first time facing them; they are aggressive, long, athletic and they are a good football team,” Carey said. “That doesn’t change the fact of what we have for our expectations and goals, and we didn’t meet that goal tonight.”

The Huskies defense controlled the game in the first half, shutting out the Utes at the halftime mark. The Utes responded in the third quarter, scoring the game’s first touchdown on a one yard run by junior running back Zack Moss.

The score remained 7-3 until three minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Senior kicker Andrew Gantz bounced back this week, making his second field goal of the night and pulling the Huskies to within one toward the end of the fourth. Utah responded with a field goal of their own, giving them a 10-6 lead with four minutes to go.

The Huskies had the ball and were down four with three minutes to go, but Utah ended the Huskies promising drive, locking the Utes in position to control the final moments. Utes senior linebacker Chase Hanson intercepted sophomore quarterback Marcus Childers’ pass and returned it for a touchdown. The score of 17-6 remained the final.

Childers completed 18 of his 33 passes, netting him 111 yards and one interception. Trying to move the ball against Utah through the air proved rough for the Huskies, but the ground game was a little different. NIU ran for a total of 183 yards, led by sophomore running back Tre Harbison with 63 yards on 13 carries. Harbison had the hot hand for the Huskies, while junior running back Marcus Jones and first year running back Jordan Nettles combined to contribute 69 yards on 16 carries.

Senior wide receiver Jauan Wesley found some room in Utah’s secondary for eight catches and 73 yards. This mark set a new career high for Wesley, breaking his previous record of 70 yards.

All-American junior defensive end Sutton Smith tied for the team lead with eight total tackles, including two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. Junior safety Mykelti Williams shared the lead with Smith with eight tackles, giving him 16 tackles on the season. The defense was also able to force two fumbles.

Special teams was able to come through with a blocked kicked for the second week in a row, this time when sophomore defensive tackle Jack Heflin blocked Utah’s first field goal attempt. Carey said he was pleased with special teams’ performance but said there needed to be improvement.

“I would have been sitting here saying special teams wise I’m extremely happy except for the high snap on the field goal.” Carey said. “That’s three points.”

With the tough out-of-conference start to the season out of the way, the Huskies begin conference play next weekend when they host the University of Central Michigan. Both teams will come into the matchup with 0-2 records. The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Huskie Stadium.