Football (8-3, 6-1 MAC) came out on top in a tough bout against Western Michigan (6-5, 5-2 MAC) for the top spot in the MAC West.

The Broncos took an early lead in the game after kicking a field goal and going down the field on 10 plays for 63 yards on their first possession.

NIU returned with a score of its own as freshman quarterback Ryan Graham threw a 27-yard touchdown to junior receiver Aregeros Turner.

Jordan Huff went on to rush for the seventh longest touchdown run in NIU history later in the first half on an 87-yard score to give the Huskies a 14-3 lead.

“Man he’s [Huff] explosive,” said Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck. “The minute he gets that football he’s gone. If you let him outside one gap, it’s over.”

Junior quarterback Zach Terrell helped lead a Broncos touchdown drive which resulted in a 35-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Braverman. The Huskies led 14-10 heading into halftime.

The Broncos scored twice in the third quarter — once on a 72-yard touchdown from junior receiver Corey Davis

Junior running back Joel Bouagnon punched in a touchdown for the Huskies in the final quarter on a 12-yard run, which gave NIU the 20-19 advantage. The Huskies attempted a two-point conversion to go up a field goal but weren’t able to execute.

NIU extended its lead later in the period after a 53-yard touchdown throw from Graham to junior wide reciever Kenny Golladay. The Broncos had a few opportunities to score and cut into the lead, but the Huskies’ defense was able to make key stops down the stretch, giving the team a 27-19 win.

“I felt that we came together as a defense,” said senior linebacker Boomer Mays. “When it was time to step up and play, especially on the goal line inside the red zone, it was a situation where we had to come out on top.”

The Huskies are officially first in the MAC West following the win. Their last game of the regular season will come against Ohio at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Huskie Stadium.