Football (2-3, 0-1 MAC) lost their third straight game after falling to conference rival Central Michigan (2-3, 1-0 MAC) 29-19.

The Huskies got off to a quick start as junior running back Joel Bouagnon scored a 1-yard touchdown run to cap off a six-play, 23 yard drive set up by a Shawun Lurry interception. The Huskies defense held on to a 10-3 lead going into halftime.

NIU began the second half with a fumble by junior quarterback Drew Hare, which lead to a quick three-play, 16-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by a 9-yard pass from Rush to senior wide receiver Jesse Kroll. The Huskies regained the lead 13-10 in the third quarter, but another Hare fumble led to a touchdown drive as Rush threw another pass to Kroll for 23 yards, giving the Chippewas a 20-13 lead.

The Huskies switched quarterbacks the next drive as backup redshirt freshman Ryan Graham threw an interception on his very first pass.

NIU had many attempts at a comeback but couldn’t get over the hurdle. Hare fumbled again late in the 4th quarter, ending the game 29-19.

The loss gave NIU its third straight loss, a fate the team hasn’t seen since the 2009-10 season. It is also its third straight loss on the road.

The Huskies will look to redeem themselves next week as they return home to face off against Ball State at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Huskie Stadium.