NIU football (2-3, 0-1 MAC) will host the Kent State Golden Flashes (1-4, 0-1) Saturday.

The Huskies return to Brigham Field for two straight home games, and they will look to continue their 11 game winning streak at Huskie Stadium.

“[Playing at home] is essential; we need it,” said NIU defensive back Sean Evans. “We don’t accept losing on [Brigham Field] … It’s a reality check for us to come together and get back on our track toward the MAC Championship, and this is the perfect setting and form to do it in.”

The Golden Flashes are ranked last in the MAC for offense.

This could provide for an interesting matchup, as NIU’s defense ranks last in total yardage.

The Huskies’ defense has allowed 39.6 points per game this season.

With the defense struggling, the Golden Flashes may have a chance to put up some points if NIU doesn’t execute.

Both teams look to prove something this week.

“Both of us [the Kent State offense and the NIU defense] have to become better finishers of what we’re doing,” said Huskies head coach Dave Doeren. “And that’s what we’re going to fight to do this week.”

NIU starting quarterback Chandler Harnish led NIU’s offense to the top of the MAC in total offense, but offensive players are still looking to get over the hump of leaving plays on the field and getting off to too quick of a start.

The Huskies have not had many self-inflicted turnovers on offense. Through five games, NIU’s offense was responsible for turning the ball over six times: three interceptions and three fumbles.

Kent State made a habit of creating turnovers, as they’ve recorded eight interceptions and five fumble recoveries on 10 forced fumbles.

“Kent State, defensively, is top-five in the nation in takeaways,” Doeren said. “They’ve got a couple players that are top-five players in the league right now, as far as production.”

NIU won nine consecutive games at home against the Golden Flashes since 1972 (9-2 overall). This will be the first time since 2007 that Kent State has visited Huskie Stadium.

The Huskies are the only MAC West team without a win and hope to move on from last week’s first conference loss to Central Michigan.

“I’ve been thinking about our mistakes and all the points we left off the board,” said NIU wide receiver Martel Moore. “I moved on to Kent State right away. The slate of games is fixed; we just have to take one [game] at a time now.”