After falling to Ohio State (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) last week, football (2-1, 0-0 MAC) looks to get back on track against Boston College (2-1, 0-0 ACC) at noon on Saturday in Chestnut Hill, MA.

The Huskies are coming off a close matchup against the Buckeyes, a game they were favored to lose by a 34.5-point margin. The Huskies’ defense was able to create five turnovers in the game: three interceptions and two forced fumbles. Even with great defensive play, the Huskies fell short by a touchdown, losing 20-13.

“We knew we had a good defense,” said sophomore cornerback Shawun Lurry. “We just had to come out with a great week of practice and execute on all the plays and make sure we stopped the run and the pass.”

The Huskies face a team that also just came off a tough loss. The Eagles fell to 10th-ranked Florida State 14-0. Scoring zero points last week was a stark contrast for Boston College, which scored 76 points on Howard in week two.

The Eagles are averaging 33.3 points through three games, while holding their opponents to just 5.7 points per game. Their offense is averaging 230 yards on the ground, rushing the ball for a total of 785 through their first three games.

Saturday’s game has the ability to be another statement for the Huskies, as they will play back-to-back in contests against the Big Ten and the ACC.

“Boston [College] is in the ACC and we’re in the MAC,” Lurry said. “They’re in a bigger conference than us, so we just got to come out there and play hard just like we did last weekend.”

NIU is averaging 459.3 yards per game, but was limited to just 190 total yards in its last game. Redshirt junior quarterback Drew Hare threw for 80 of those yards and completed only 14 of his 31 pass attempts.

Hare has a chance to improve on his performance following a week three contest where his final numbers were well below his usual averages.

“Ohio State had athletes everywhere and were making plays,” Hare said. “They had a good scheme, and I thought we had a good game plan but, they made plays when they needed to. I got back to work this week and the scheme’s different this week like every week. Right now, we’re getting comfortable with it, and hopefully we can go out there and make some plays.”

This will be the Huskies’ second time playing against Boston College. The last time they met was in 1971, when Boston College came out on top 20-10. They meet again 44 years later as the Huskies have a chance to tie the all-time series.

“It’s going to be a challenge going out there,” said NIU head coach Rod Carey. “It’s going to be a good environment out there, and it’s an afternoon kickoff so it’s a one o’clock kickoff their time. So it’s going to be the earliest game we’ve played [this year], so we have to get up and at ‘em and get ready to go.”

The game will take place at noon. on Saturday at Alumni Stadium. ESPN3.