With its dominating victory over the Boilermakers (1-4), the Huskies (4-0) earned their second dog bone of the season and became the first team in MAC history to defeat two Big 10 teams in the same regular season.

Football put together its best all-around game of the season in a 55-24 rout of Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., on Saturday.

“That means a lot, it means a lot to this program,” said quarterback Jordan Lynch. “Any time you get the chance to play a BCS team, we have a chip on our shoulder.”

After finding themselves playing from behind in recent weeks, the Huskies came out and “started the fight” in this game.

“Yeah, I mean that was our mantra all week,” said coach Rod Carey. “We need to start it. I mean, we need to start it every week and then we need to finish it. It was a big key to the game.”

Kicker Mathew Sims got the Huskies started, drilling a 44-yard field goal on their first possession of the game to take an early 3-0 lead. On Purdue’s next possession, quarterback Rob Henry answered as he hooked up with running back Akeem Hunt for a 44-yard touchdown to take a 7-3 lead.

Lynch led the Huskies to scores on their next four possessions in the first half, with Lynch throwing three touchdown passes while Sims added a 31-yard field goal.

Lynch picked apart the Boilermakers’ defense in the first half, going 16-20 with 195 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Lynch hit wide receivers Da’Ron Brown for two touchdowns and Juwan Brescacin for his first career touchdown.

“We knew going into the game that there would be some easy throws and we took advantage of it,” Lynch said. “We had the play-action and running game going, and that made my job easier. Some of my receivers also made some good catches because I don’t think they were all on the money.”

Lynch finished the game with 207 passing yards for three touchdowns and 35 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Defensive back Dechane Durante recorded two interceptions in the second quarter, helping chase Henry — who was replaced by freshman quarterback Danny Etling — from the game. Etling led the Boilermakers to a field goal right before the half to cut NIU’s lead to 27-10.

Kick returner Tommylee Lewis responded at the start of the second half as he ran the kickoff back 99 yards for a touchdown.

“It definitely set the tone. All the credit goes to the 10 guys, they made all the blocks,” Lewis said. “… It was definitely important to get a spark for the half.”

Moments after the kickoff return, safety Jimmie Ward recorded his third interception of the season and ran it back for a 62-yard touchdown, increasing the Huskies’ lead, 41-10.

The 55 points scored by the Huskies were the most they have scored against a Big 10 school and the most points Purdue has ever surrendered at Ross-Ade Stadium.

The Huskies’ 31-point margin of victory is tied for the largest victory for a MAC school over a school from the Big 10. With this victory, NIU concluded its non-conference schedule.

“We’re 4-0, and after 24 hours we’re 0-0,” Carey said. “We have a conference to go get.”