After a 3-0 start, NIU found itself in a new position.

The Huskies were now in the national ranking. Suddenly, NIU was ahead of programs like Florida and Missouri, as it was ranked No. 21 by USA Today and No. 20 by the Associated Press.

“I cut out the article and put it on my board,” said former wide receiver P.J. Fleck. “I said, ‘Holy Cow, we’ve arrived.’ We finally achieved what [former head] coach [Joe] Novak set out to do.”

But the coaches and players didn’t get caught up in the ranking for too long. They had gained the nation’s attention – they didn’t want to lose it.

In order to stay on the front page of the sports section and to stay in the polls, the Huskies knew they had to keep winning.

“I think we were all excited,” said former tight end coach Bill Bleil. “But as a staff you don’t have time to breathe.”

The NIU coaching staff turned its attention against Iowa State (2-1). The Cyclones had crushed Ohio 48-20 in their second game of the season. However, prior to facing NIU, the Big 12 opponent suffered its first loss of the season, as it fell 40-21 to No. 12 Iowa.

The Chicago media also turned its attention to the game. When NIU joined the MAC the hope was it would bring the large media market into the conference. In 2003 the Huskies did more than anyone ever expected.

“When we were doing well we were getting covered just as much as Illinois, Northwestern or Notre Dame,” said Mike Korcek, former sports information director. “The Tuesday of the Iowa State game there was 25 members of the media there, at practice.”

On a day in which the Chicago Cubs would clinch the National League Central Division, NIU would pick up its fourth win in four tries.

ISU jumped ahead in the first quarter, but by half time NIU held a 14-10 lead. The Cyclones would retake the lead at 16-14 with 11:53 in the fourth quarter. However, the Huskies took the lead and kept it as they scored a field goal, followed by a touchdown to blow past ISU 24-16.

Now at 4-0, the national media wanted in on some of the fun.

On Oct. 4, 2003, NIU hosted more than the Ohio University football team. The Huskies also entertained Sports Illustrated that weekend.

“Sports Illustrated came to DeKalb to do a big article,” Novak said. “If we don’t win that game, the article goes down the drain.”

As the game went on, it seemed like the magical ride had run out of gas.

With 3:35 left in the forth quarter NIU took control of the ball at its own 20-yard line. The Huskies were down 23-16.

Quarterback Josh Haldi completed four-straight passes for 32 yards to start the drive. However, a first-and-10 at Ohio’s 48-yard line soon became a third-and-10 after two incomplete passes. The junior quarterback responded, as he connected with wide receiver Shatone Powers for a 13-yard gain.

But this wasn’t the last pressure pass Haldi would face against the Bobcats.

The Huskies had a third-and-four at the Bobcat’s 15-yard line. An incomplete pass forced fourth-and-four with 1:47 remaining.

“I was like, ‘Please don’t let this thing end here at home like this,'” said Sam Pittman, former offensive line coach. “In all aspects we were about to lose that game.”

But the Huskies were not ready to give in. On fourth down Haldi found Fleck in the corner of the end zone. The 15-yard pass was brought down by the wide out, sending the game into overtime.

In the extra period both teams ran only four plays. The Huskies had the ball first, getting to the 3-yard line on the first play. Three plays later Haldi rushed into the end zone up the gut.

The NIU defense forced Ohio to a fourth-and-four to begin the Bobcats overtime possession. As Ohio tried to convert the fourth down, the Huskies attacked, eventually sacking the quarterback to end the game.

The Huskies’ winning continued, perfection remained and Sports Illustrated published a story.

“It was awesome to see Northern compete, and to face all those teams in one season was amazing,” said DeAndre Smith, former running backs coach. “We caught lighting in a bottle.”