Only one time in NIU’s history has football started its season 9-0. The Huskies will look to accomplish that feat when it takes on Massachusetts at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.

The No. 17 Huskies (8-0, 4-0 MAC) will also put a number of streaks to the test in its match up with the Minutemen (1-7, 1-3 MAC). The Huskies will look to extend their MAC conference winning streak to 22 games as well as increase their road-game winning streak to 15 games.

On paper, this looks to be a cakewalk for the Huskies. Quarterback Jordan Lynch is playing some of his best football and has shredded opposing defenses in his last two games, combining for 793 yards and 10 touchdowns.

While Lynch and the offense have looked strong in recent games, the defense is starting to pick up its play. In its last two games, it held Eastern Michigan to 20 points and Central Michigan to 17 points, its two lowest point totals of the season.

“… The last few weeks I feel like we’re steadily progressing and building on each week,” said linebacker Boomer Mays. “I think that’s key in what we’re doing to establish ourselves as a defense.”

On the other hand, the Minutemen are coming into this match up with the Huskies following a heartbreaking 31-30 loss to Western Michigan. The Minutemen had an opportunity to win the game but failed to convert on a two-point conversion.

“They are playing good football, they are playing inspired football, and they are playing really good at home,” said coach Rod Carey. “They’re used to that venue they have and they’ve played good at home, I’ll tell you that. So it’s going to be a challenge for us.”

The Huskies had their way with the Minutemen the last time the two teams met, defeating them 63-0 at Huskie Stadium last season, but the Huskies can’t take that for granted. They also can’t look ahead to their next game, their biggest matchup of the season with Ball State. The Huskies will need to remain focused on the task at hand and take care of business in Foxboro.

“What am I concerned about? A whole bunch of things …,” Carey said. “I will tell you this, if you’re not focused on what you’re doing right now, then you’re not going to be successful. You’re either moving forward or you’re moving backwards, and you need to be pushing forwards.”