MINNEAPOLIS | When NIU  fell to Minnesota two seasons ago, a new chapter of Huskie football began. Head coach Jerry Kill and quarterback Chandler Harnish were making their NIU debuts.

But Saturday night wasn’t a rerun of that 2008 match up as the Huskies (2-2) made enough big plays to take down Minnesota 34-23.

Running back Chad Spann was a human highlight reel for the Huskies from start to finish. The senior ran for 223 yards on the ground along with two rushing touchdowns.

Spann’s first of many big runs came when he found room on the right edge and turned on second-gear for 56 yards.

Five plays later, Spann would scamper his way into the end zone for NIU’s first touchdown of the night.

With 6:22 left in the fourth quarter, Spann cemented the victory with a 61-yard sprint in which he shunned multiple Golden Gopher defenders along his way to the end zone.

“I just hit it,” Spann said. “I see the open field and…you just got to go as fast as you can and stay away from the opposite-colored jersey. I just try to get as many yards I can.”

Leading up to the game, Kill mentioned that he expected Minnesota (1-3) to live up to its Big Ten stereotype of running the ball a great amount.

Kill’s gut feeling would be correct, but the Golden Gophers would scrape their way for just 97 yards on 32 carries.

Two of the biggest question marks on the Huskies may have gotten some answers in the offensive line and kicker position.

NIU’s offensive line had its way with Minnesota’s monstrous front four.

Many of the holes that Spann, Ricky Crider and Cameron Bell ran through could have fit a semi.

On special teams, senior kicker Mike Cklamovski showed he could be relied on when needed.

The Illinois transfer connected on field goals from 21 and 35 yards and made all four of his points after touchdowns.

“We got some really good players, we really do,” said Huskies quarterback Chandler Harnish. “We just need to keep putting it together.”

The Golden Gophers compiled three long yardage and clock draining drives throughout the game; however, Minnesota wouldn’t find a way to get into the end zone as field goals instead of touchdowns by Eric Ellestad would be its unsatisfied payoff.

“We also had a lot more opportunities on offense to score a lot more score a lot more points,” said Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster. “We had a lot of opportunities but we didn’t come back. It was just honestly disappointing.”

A huge turning point in the flow of the game came right before the conclusion of the first half.

NIU freshman Jimmie Ward blocked a Dan Orseske punt and NIU would set up shop at Minnesota’s 10-yard line.

Harnish would take advantage Ward’s block, finding Martel Moore in the back of the end zone to give it the 20-13 lead and NIU wouldn’t surrender the lead for the rest of the game.

“I think any time you block a punt it changes the momentum of a football game,” Kill said. “That was a big play in the game.”